Hanging it up after 42 years trucking

Cat sdp · Apr 23, 2023

Can you get antique plates for your tractor and keep it as a toy ?

kemosabi49 · Apr 23, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Man that's what I miss the most in trucking the brotherhood was great.
Ok that's enough old man drivel for today I am starting sound like X1heavy rest his soul.
Click to expand...

FYI- X1heavy is still kicking. Hear is is active on a forum for the deaf.

074344 · Apr 23, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Well after 42 years of trucking and 36 as a owner op I have hung it up.
I made it without ever having used a ELD or driven a automatic.
Yes I know I sound like a grouchy old man!
I said my old Marmon would be my last truck and we made it to the end together .
I started with my last outfit in 1995 and said it was my last outfit and we made it to the end together.

I was planning on driving until I made 50 years.
I was looking at everything going on and I just don't think I have the will left to fight through another trucking crash and fuel spike.
I just decided enough is enough and I want to just kick back and enjoy the time I have left.

It is a lot harder than I thought it would be not going to lie. I must be getting soft because it brings a tear to eye when I think of not being out and about in my truck (I have had this same one for 21 years).
I have kept my CDL but did opt out of the whole physical thing so I can still drive intrastate if I want.
The most I will probably do is haul a load of corn or beans into town for a farmer once in awhile.

I have not been able to bring myself to clean out the truck yet.
I turned in my lease and took off the decals the last of March so it has only been a couple of weeks but man its more than I bargained for mentally.
Did I mention that I loved my job and trucking in general even after all these years.

I will still be on here even I don't have much to say. My old tuck will be for sale when I can get myself to clean her out.
When you see a 97 Marmon in the for-sale section you will know I got it done LOL.
With all that being said it has been a good ride allot of hard work and plenty of rough times but many more great times.
Click to expand...

That's an amazing career! Congratulations on your well deserved retirement! I will be turning 60 next year and I'm going to pull the plug and retire in October 2024. I was hired in September of 2004 so I'm going to take advantage of the additional 6 weeks of vacation pay as well as my 12 sick days that I earned. I am so looking forward to it. I'm glad that my wife and I have company paid retiree medical. We built our retirement home in Bullhead City AZ 2 years ago. I'm going back to college and major in becoming a house plant! Again, congratulations on your retirement!

4mer trucker · Apr 26, 2023

kemosabi49 said: ↑

FYI- X1heavy is still kicking. Hear is is active on a forum for the deaf.
Click to expand...

Yes he is

Wargames · Apr 27, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Well to answer your question I have 4.5 million miles no accidents a few tickets back in the day when it was 55mph 4 or 5 speeding tickets about 35 years ago a couple of logbook tickets before they were a big deal.

Back in the dark ages if you got caught speeding you pulled out a driver's license (some of us had a few back then) took your ticket and went on with your day.
You sent in a check for the fine or called the court and got a petty ticket instead of a speeding ticket paid it and went on it was just the cost of doing business.
Let's say you pulled on the scales just south of Waterloo Iowa one day and the scale master came out and asked to see your logbook but you didn't have one started for the month yet and it's the 22nd of the month.
The scale master would just tell you to pull around back and bring 38.50 and your untouched logbook.
You pay your fine and go out back "to fill out your book" while closes the scale and goes home for the day.
No out of service or anything like that that day.
Some days not so lucky put out if service for 8 hours (back the it was 10 on 8 off).

It was different world back then It was not us against them like it is today.
We ran hard and hung out and partied hard when the job was done.
The grills and lawn chairs were out if you got laid over for the weekend you might have 10 guys just drinking a cold one and grilling out telling stories laughing and having a good time.

Man that's what I miss the most in trucking the brotherhood was great.
Ok that's enough old man drivel for today I am starting sound like X1heavy rest his soul.
Click to expand...

Marmonman, Your post should be the headliner on the truckers report. you have a lot of drivers on here that are in our bracket that enjoyed life exactly like you say it. I really don’t need to say anything you’re saying exactly the way it is , it was , and always will be. You’re awesome driver

marmonman · Apr 28, 2023

I am glad to hear x1heavy is still with us and doing well.

Bumper · Apr 28, 2023

marmonman said: ↑

Well after 42 years of trucking and 36 as a owner op I have hung it up.
I made it without ever having used a ELD or driven a automatic.
Yes I know I sound like a grouchy old man!
I said my old Marmon would be my last truck and we made it to the end together .
I started with my last outfit in 1995 and said it was my last outfit and we made it to the end together.

I was planning on driving until I made 50 years.
I was looking at everything going on and I just don't think I have the will left to fight through another trucking crash and fuel spike.
I just decided enough is enough and I want to just kick back and enjoy the time I have left.

It is a lot harder than I thought it would be not going to lie. I must be getting soft because it brings a tear to eye when I think of not being out and about in my truck (I have had this same one for 21 years).
I have kept my CDL but did opt out of the whole physical thing so I can still drive intrastate if I want.
The most I will probably do is haul a load of corn or beans into town for a farmer once in awhile.

I have not been able to bring myself to clean out the truck yet.
I turned in my lease and took off the decals the last of March so it has only been a couple of weeks but man its more than I bargained for mentally.
Did I mention that I loved my job and trucking in general even after all these years.

I will still be on here even I don't have much to say. My old tuck will be for sale when I can get myself to clean her out.
When you see a 97 Marmon in the for-sale section you will know I got it done LOL.

With all that being said it has been a good ride allot of hard work and plenty of rough times but many more great times.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the other side of life!! I hope you enjoy your retirement years as much as I am. The initial shock of not having to go somewhere every day wears off and then your all set. Congratulations on making it!!

Jumpman · Apr 28, 2023

As I said in an earlier post 4.5 million miles is impressive but tonight while driving thru a very heavy rain storm I realized the more impressive number is still unknown and that is what sort of dollar value would you put on an accomplishment like this as far as saving the trucking company(s) over all the years from the true monetary cost for vehicle damages, injuries, freight damage, etc. Compare this to what a typical OTR driver does and it makes me think that whatever company or companies your drove for should all be writing you a big fat bonus check.

NH Guy · Apr 29, 2023

Jumpman said: ↑

As I said in an earlier post 4.5 million miles is impressive but tonight while driving thru a very heavy rain storm I realized the more impressive number is still unknown and that is what sort of dollar value would you put on an accomplishment like this as far as saving the trucking company(s) over all the years from the true monetary cost for vehicle damages, injuries, freight damage, etc. Compare this to what a typical OTR driver does and it makes me think that whatever company or companies your drove for should all be writing you a big fat bonus check.
Click to expand...

Makes those meager safety bonus seam insulting, especially when companies are trying to combine them with the fuel bonus too.

smokey12 · Apr 29, 2023

Thank you for your service to America. U can rest easy knowing you provided so much for your country. Job well done and enjoy your retirement..well deserved!

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