My first load 52 years ago. Trucking ain't the same, but has really changed

I remember reading that when u originally posted. Funny how all these years later, the good ole comminication breakdown is still the biggest problem out here.. even with all the technology, seems the messages still dont get relayed properly.... Lol

Always a great story!!

 

Big money then, we were talking about this in the shop a couple weeks ago my uncle bough his 72 brockway late in 1975 for $9500, PT270 and a 13 speed, but it did have power steering
rate and tariff paper work came out to about $28 an hour to the truck back then

sad part is even back in 07 when I started I was still chopping corn with that pos Mack, 237 and a compound maxi torque 6 speed, could you imagine the crying of trying to put one of
Today’s drivers in it?

 

Wisconsin had some of the best mom and pop truckstops. The Hill in Slinger, The Moasis in Appleton, ( had the best roast beef and mashed, $3.95 and a free thermos), Lake Mills Oasis, ( my hometown), Pine Cone , Johnson Creek( still there), one thing for sure, you didn't go away hungry and $5 bucks tops.

 

A uncle of mine retired from A&P around 1973. Drove Jacksonville to Baltimore for several years before he retired.

 

Red Owl??? Suddenly I feel very old. Excuse me while I check into an assisted living care facility....
I'll date myself...I remember filling up at 0.89/gallon (some places diesel was cheaper than gas), getting free steak dinner with fill up, and camping out at the Stony Ridge truck stop every chance I got. You could find me downstairs in the bar, knocking down a few cold ones, and listening to Merle, Jones or Twitty on the jukebox.
Someone make a time machine!!!

 

I’ve bought lost of fuel, tires and lots and lots of cattle pot washouts with a check. I can still buy fuel at Hoods in Bois D Arc Mo with a check. (I’m outta Northeast Arkansas but in there often)

My other option when I started was call Mama and get a com check. I had to call early though cause Pop answered after about 6 or so.


I also had 600 cash of Pops money in my pocket for fuel, or late night trouble. But I #### better have a ticket for that or it was coming outta my settlement.

 

august of 95 started hauling , lots of memories

 

that was a Great story from way back. I started in `74 , retired 2 years ago, and i remember those cab overs. i Always called them suicide trucks, being right in front of the windshield. I remember Always if someone needed help on the road, someone would always step up and help the driver. We did have the Cobra 29 LTD Classic CB radios back then, dont remember any other brand name radios then. The trucks were all Metal, no plastic. Suspensions were for a Cement trucks, ha ha ha. kid you not. I look back and how the time went by so fast. I had a Great career in Trucking It was amazing back then. I been retired for 2 years now, and Yes i do miss it, because it was my life.

 

Jody Batemans letter should be in an Archive here , everyone should read something like this, Its the beginning of Trucking , and how things were then and now. Thanks Jody