JUST AN OLD TRUCKER LOOKING TO SHARE OTHERS STORIES

I've pondered from the start about writing a book about my adventures in trucking. I've done a decent amount of writing over the years, but it was all technical writing. Previously I was an electronics technician and then I was a cartographer, so writing occasionally was part of the job, but it was always writing to explain technical things. I've made a few stabs at writing some of my adventures up, but they end up explaining a bunch of stuff and not really entertaining anyone.
Anyway, here's my basic story. I accumulated a total of 30 years of Federal service between being in the Air Force and then a civil servant. So, had the chance to retire from that, but still had 8 1/2 years before I can actually retire. I took about a year off, which was wonderful, and moved to Florida by the Space Center. I've always been a space nut and loved being by the space center, pursuing the visitor's center and watching rockets launch. But, eventually needed employment and kid situation kinda forced me to move back to Yuma Arizona, the place that been my default home since 1995.

As to being a truck driver, it began by being irate at work one day. In November, 2012, I was sitting at my desk, steaming about something and out of left field, or far far left of left field, this random thought came into my head, "I just want to go drive a truck." First time in my life I think I'd ever had any kind of such thought. But, it got my attention. Hmm. Interesting. So, started kind of looking into it a bit, to include finding this place, joining, and starting to read and learn about being a truck driver. I needed to retain my existing job till April 2018 for the retirement issues. So, had some time to contemplate about it. It was on and off for awhile and mostly ended up as a plan B more than anything. I do know that what I learned on this site was precious to me in the long run. From everything I could ponder and evaluate, I figured it was probably something I actually could do and that would fit me. Two biggest facets being I love to travel, have never grown tired of it and that I knew me well enough to know I was comfortable in my own company for extended periods of time. Also, I always had a thing with driving. I lived in Europe for 6 1/2 years, ripped down the Autobahn in a fast BMW and even drove around Rome Italy for a month. This doesn't include the numerous cross country road trips I'd had the chance to enjoy over the years, both in regular passenger cars or in U-Haul trucks pulling a car trailer behind.
So, when thing went sideways in Florida, my plan B basically became my Plan A. Despite the negative I had heard, I decided to go with Swift to get a start. It helped that they had a Veterans program which offered a couple advantages. And, in August of 2019, I arrived at the Swift Academy in Phoenix (FYI, not a good idea to go to the Swift Academy in Phoenix in August unless you are REALLY well acclimated to hot weather, even then it is taxing, quite taxing!!).
Finished the Academy, tested and got my license on a Friday the 13th that September.
Rolled out a couple weeks later with a mentor. I ended up with a ruff, crude, old Mexican guy named Jose (FYI, My mother-in-law's maiden name is Garcia, so I know, understand and have no issue with the Mexican culture). I could write a whole book on that adventure alone. But, it was a good one, Jose was a great trainer and he and I laughed alot! during our time together.
Finished up with Jose, 'tested out' as they call it on Halloween 2019 and on November 1, 2019, I went solo and started being a truck driver.
Already being too long, being concise has never been my forte. So, I'll kind of end it there, at least for now. I will say, I was right, being a truck driver is something I can do, enjoy doing and will probably continue until April of 2027, which is when I fully intend on retiring from the working world completely.

 

This looks like a good home for @JolliRoger .
Buckle up, boys!

 

My public...

 

Back by popular demand.

 

Thank you for sharing your story. Look forward to more posts in the future.

 

I’m just curious. Were pee bottles a thing in ‘76

I understand truck drivers were the princes of the highway in those days.