Drivers don't look like drivers anymore

nax · Aug 5, 2018

Wearing cowboy boots & jeans is not my idea of comfortable outfit.

Having to adjust my nuts every 10 mins due to cramped crotch gets old quick. Plus, stinky boots in the truck is not fun when I need a peaceful sleep on my 10 break.

Im happy with loose fit UnderArmor shorts & leather closed toe sandals for the summer.

2old · Aug 5, 2018

Surprise -- surprise... wishfulthinking wrote; Before I started driving, I used to wear skirts & high heels, and that's what I was most comfortable in until I got into trucking.

Response: I'm still laughing at your clever response. And I was happy that you referred to the comfort thing.

I do understand that the times have changed and with the changes in trucks which make it so comfortable to drive, I can understand the trending toward shorts and saddles (hate flip flops). But to your credit, you outlined the kind of things that I think about. Emergency situations do play a part in everyday trucking. You just don't know when or where you might have to help someone, or help yourself.

Ok that said, I also know that times change and perspectives with it, so I can't help but think that maybe I'm foolish to critisize the new "beach look" but I'm with you. The "beach look" just doesn't lend itself to safety.

#wishfulthinking said: ↑

If you ever find yourself in an emergency situation, involved in or witness to an accident that might require a quick response from you, you might rethink the shorts & sandals then. I understand that it's a "Comfort" thing, but I won't sacrifice safety for comfort. When I started trucking, jeans & boots were mandatory. Though some of those boots were cowboy boots, not work boots. After wearing them for a while I got used to them and after 30 years, that is what I'm most comfortable in while driving. Just as shorts and sandals will be what you're most comfortable in if that's what you wear most of the time. Before I started driving, I used to wear skirts & high heels, and that's what I was most comfortable in until I got into trucking.
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Buckeye 60 · Aug 5, 2018

we can thank the hindus and the Russians for transforming the trucker fashion into the modern leisure style of today ..... starting with the top selling book by igor barishnivek " how to park at the fuel island for your weekly shower and look good doing it " a must read for fashionistas ...... also worth reading would be Mariska sans-serif classic how to book " how to wash your feet in the sink of the pilot " ........ it's that certain nack of looking like your going to the beach instead of just going to work

Rn8806 · Aug 5, 2018

2old said: ↑

The year is 1973 and I'm parked in the Toledo 5 Truck Stop. It's late at night and I'm hungry and headed to the restaurant for something to eat. My memory is a little vague but as I recall it was a Union 76 and not a particularly nice place (old and pretty dirty). As I walked across the parking lot I was struck by the number of trailers loaded with steel and the number of axles. I remember thinking: "Wow, that's a lot of tires to kick." Some of the trucks were very old and looked like junkers-- old Crackerbox Jimmies and Mack's. And of coarse some were bright and shiny and new.

That unmistakable smell of the livestock trailers hung heavy in the air and that sound of a hoof hitting the side of a trailer or shuffling on the trailer floor with that anguishing moo made me sad... and that is how the Toledo 5 Truck Stop is permently etched in my memory. I wonder if it is still there?

Once inside the restaurant the jukebox played country music and the waitress took my order. I was brand new to the truck stop scene as I'd just completed my orientation with North American Van Lines. I was supposed to load in Cicero Illinois the next morning. My brand new 1973 White Road Comander was hooked to a nice new drop deck 45 foot trailer.

But as I recall, not one driver wore flip flops nor shorts nor had a backpack. Back then, it was bluejeans, work boots or cowboy boots. He carried a small suitcase or duffle bag to the shower and emerged smelling of Aqua Velva. He'd give the gal at the customer counter his towel and get his deposit back, then go get something to eat. It was the same across the country. The exception was mostly in boots and hats. The further west you went, the more cowboy hats you'd see.

I shake my head when I see what's walking around truckstops nowadays.
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You have been bed bugging almost as long as I have been alive

okiedokie · Aug 5, 2018

First started driving I wore cowboy boots. Try thrown iron in those. Winter work boots & rubber gloves if you drive the mts.

okiedokie · Aug 5, 2018

#wishfulthinking · Aug 5, 2018

LOL!

2old · Aug 5, 2018

Rn8806 said: ↑

You have been bed bugging almost as long as I have been alive
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Lord no, I got out of bed bugging a long time ago. That's a tough racket.

Rn8806 · Aug 5, 2018

2old said: ↑

Lord no, I got out of bed bugging a long time ago. That's a tough racket.
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Me to been out five years.now 70s and 80s good money to be made.started in 88 made good money. No money today to be made with discounts

x1Heavy · Aug 5, 2018

2old said: ↑

The year is 1973 and I'm parked in the Toledo 5 Truck Stop. It's late at night and I'm hungry and headed to the restaurant for something to eat. My memory is a little vague but as I recall it was a Union 76 and not a particularly nice place (old and pretty dirty). As I walked across the parking lot I was struck by the number of trailers loaded with steel and the number of axles. I remember thinking: "Wow, that's a lot of tires to kick." Some of the trucks were very old and looked like junkers-- old Crackerbox Jimmies and Mack's. And of coarse some were bright and shiny and new.

That unmistakable smell of the livestock trailers hung heavy in the air and that sound of a hoof hitting the side of a trailer or shuffling on the trailer floor with that anguishing moo made me sad... and that is how the Toledo 5 Truck Stop is permently etched in my memory. I wonder if it is still there?

Once inside the restaurant the jukebox played country music and the waitress took my order. I was brand new to the truck stop scene as I'd just completed my orientation with North American Van Lines. I was supposed to load in Cicero Illinois the next morning. My brand new 1973 White Road Comander was hooked to a nice new drop deck 45 foot trailer.

But as I recall, not one driver wore flip flops nor shorts nor had a backpack. Back then, it was bluejeans, work boots or cowboy boots. He carried a small suitcase or duffle bag to the shower and emerged smelling of Aqua Velva. He'd give the gal at the customer counter his towel and get his deposit back, then go get something to eat. It was the same across the country. The exception was mostly in boots and hats. The further west you went, the more cowboy hats you'd see.

I shake my head when I see what's walking around truckstops nowadays.
Click to expand...

That is what I remember as well. And believe it or not I still dress that manner to this day, boots and jeans etc. I have not been in a suit 20 years now. And havent been to the beach in over 30 aside from a few minutes here and there along the coast highway around the USA.

For me things changed in the truckers and also in the incoming immigrants doing the work with hardly a word of english or same faith among them about the time of 9-11. What we see now when we visit the Petro for a meal now and then is not the same for the most part and frankly some of that footwear is not good to have around 18 wheelers. This is not Rome 75 AD or something. Ugh.

And the money against the retail environment in those days of the 80's for me (Even the 70's on back) was really good. Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking that a certain amount held value. For example a Hershey bar was 5 cents in the early 70's and now it's over a dollar if you are not careful where you got it. It takes a wagon load of devalued money to get anything done.

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Drivers don't look like drivers anymore

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Drivers don't look like drivers anymore

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Cowboy

Baseball cap

No hat

Tilley

Sombrero

Sock or Ski

Crash helmet

nax Road Train Member

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2old Heavy Load Member

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