Back in my day...

The best thing about the good old days was we were younger

 

I been at it since 1979, and I still live it like back in the days. Lots have changed but I have adjusted to it. I still run paper, I still have my Cat power modified, my 13 speed manual transmission(no automatic), run my big CB radio. I run the way I run. I just adjust to what they want(feds). But my name is still on my doors. I will always make the best out of it to enjoy what I do. It’s not always perfect, but I make it work.

 

And yet...
If I were in the good old days but knew and understood what I know and understand now...

We tend to think back and try to convince ourselves that it was better back then.
But those were also the days when we were making our biggest mistakes.

In the trucker world it might have been being hopped up on drugs to make a run, or running fake logs.

But what does it get you in the end?
Nothing.

If you could go back in time to change one thing, what would it be?
And would your change actually result in a positive thing in the long run?
Personally, I don't think it would.


For me, all the 'mistakes' I made during my life resulted in some amazing children - with the first and last big mistakes.
So, how has it gotten worse for me?! Or how could I have made it better for the world by changing anything?
Or even made it better for myself.



These people that complain about how it used to be should get a clue.
Things change, and you can not stop it or change it. Live with it, or get out once and for all.

That you get your front end torn off by new drivers (in your opinion) simply means that you are not parking in a good spot.
Maybe you are end-capping because you didn't plan your stop correctly, and so didn't leave room for a truck to get around you. I've seen that many times.

And these days, you can reserve a parking spot in many places if you are going to be getting in late.
Safe parking, I might add.

 

What I guess I miss is .
It seems the pace wasn't so hectic , we would have a nice sit down meal every night , shoot the breeze , I remember talking to the old timers when I was green and they would tell you about the old trucks before the interstates
It seems we got more respect from the general public and each other.
If a guy was having trouble backing into a dock or spot , someone would always get out and help.
Now you do that and some guys get mad
Or they sit in their truck making fun of someone struggling to park , on the cb,
But no one will get out to help
If you were on the side of the road , they would call on the cb and if you didn't answer they would stop.
Now they will hurry to try and pass you , so you can't even clear the lane for a broke down truck .
But I still love this job and won't stop till they make me

 

Everyone, safety statistics were far better than today for commercial trucks so insurance rates were far more reasonable, everyone knew how to drive so there was no "nanny systems" to babysit you, brakes were adjusted manually so everyone understood how they worked and how to brake without cooking everything, air tanks were bled manually so everyone knew about how water in the air system affected the performance of the air system, everyone chose a speed and would not "Tijuana turtle race" every truck that tried to pass them, communication was far better between trucks so you knew everything relevant before you came upon it and everyone had tools and various supplies so common failures like air lines or belts could be fixed or cobbled together enough to stay off the hook.

Everyone also knew that a blown tubeless tire was not grounds for a panic stop on a narrow freeway shoulder where the tire guy would be working with his butt in the freeway, you never saw two tires blown side by side because everyone bumped their tires every few hours and checked the pressure every weekend; in fact most guys greased their own trucks once a week so they actually got a good look at everything underneath and up close which avoided many problems before they broke down on the road.

All the B.S. that exists today is the industries response to drivers that know a little less every year than the drivers who preceded them, as the trucks get more dumbed down the knowledge needed to drive one continues to decrease; but most of that lost knowledge is the difference between being a professional who can avoid most pitfalls and a driver who has no idea what to watch and listen for in the first place.

 

When someone says the "good old days" I think they are just being nostalgic.
Maybe less rules and regulations made it the good ol days.
Maybe because they,for the most part, acted and dressed the part of a trucking professional and were respected and admired by the general motoring public.
The world moves much faster now.

But as far as good old days I'll take some modern technology over the olden days everytime.

Spring suspension all around, including the seat ..not good.
Split rims...not good.
Bias ply rubber..not good.
No heated mirror, no motorized mirror.
No heated fuel tanks and to keep the windshield defrosted we had adjustable turret vents and dash fans.

How bout the air wipers or the window washer pump ball on the floor next to the brights.

The loudest turn signal units you've ever heard and your huge tachograph.

8 track was a treat which gave way to cassette , a definite improvement but we still listened to all night truckin radio on the am.

Back in the good old days I used 40 & 42' trlrs everyone went crazy when 45 became the norm, and don't remember when nylon came out cause everything was chained.

Seem to remember most co. trucks were coe and don't recall a 9 or 10 speed back then.
Hoods were for O/O for the most part.

The interstate system noway resembles what it is today, half was still 2 lane.

Every truckstop had a restaurant and a big table where the vets hung out and if ya sat close you'd be able to soak up some knowledge and/or some bs

Seen many changes over the years, some good and some bad but I can honestly say you'll get out what you put in it.

Maybe when we all get 40+ years under our belts we will be sitting at a lunch counter somewhere in the future lamenting about the good old days.