When is Enough, Enough?

I don't usually jump from the top deck of my step deck or from my flat bed anymore, either. It can jar your knee and ankle joints. I had an insurance agent tell me once that they had more claims from people jumping from trailers than any other single thing. I found that very interesting.

 

An office manager goes home at 5pm, and no longer manages an office. A bank teller goes home at 5pm, and no longer counts money. A dispatcher goes home at 5pm and no longer sends loads to your truck.
A truck driver goes home on Friday night, but is still a truck driver. If you are a "true" truck driver, not just someone that started driving a truck because there arent any jobs where they live, you will always be a truck driver.

 

I still drive a truck on weekends,my pickup truck

 

Reminds me of a bumper sticker-"I wanna die in my sleep like my grandpa,not screaming like his passengers!"

 

At first glance,that is funny,STILL,-Since I have been doing this,I have heard numerous times of drivers having heart attacks while behind the wheel...and taking someone else out..Whether driving a big truck or car,I hope we all have the good sense & fortitude to hang it up when it is time.;to not do so,-is an unbelievable act of selfishness.

 

I've seen more than one 35 to 40 year old have heart attacks....I've seen plenty of 65 to 70 year olds that were very healthy and as sharp as can be.

According to my doctor, I do better on my yearly physicals than most 30 year olds these days do...When is it time?

Like everything else in life....It varies from person to person.

 

The way some of these younger people eat and don't exercise, they are more likely than many older drivers to have a heart attack going down the road while eating a big bag of potato chips after gorging on the buffet at a truck stop.

 

That is exactly what I'm talking about!

 

About 3 months ago I was with one of our newer younger drivers, me being 39 and him 26, and I watched him jump and off his flatbed numerous times while loading while I used the steps at the front and the back. I told him "I used to do that when I was younger, but I dont anymore" he said "Saves more time then walking all the way to the front of the trailer". He is having surgery on his broken ankle this week after jumping off a trailer and landing on a chunk of 2x4.

 

I too,did this practice,till the age of 47..(I was a paratroop) in my youth,plus I am a little "slow." The last time I jumped off the flat,I felt it all the way up to my teeth,-those I have left,-and that folks,WAS my last jump..