Back in the day . . .

First year of my driving career and diesel was .99 in GA! Actually wasn't that long ago! (or am I just old?) Cab-over's were cool too! (so were all of our belongings in the windshield when you did your pre-trip) Who's idea was that?

 

There are other sections if you don't know the difference between a Dayton and Bud wheel.

Make sure you check your Phenorkle valve during your pre trib inspection.

 

Blackw900, What did Midwestern trucks have in them? 903 0r 350 Cummins? They were ordered at the same time American Farm lines ordered 300 new ones and thus the color. I remeber them, worked at AFL hauling Explosives. I drove a 318 with straight pipes, a Cabover Pete with 4 X 4 and climbing Raton the sound would echo off the front of the trlr. Idle all nihgt at Trinadad Truckstop and choke the whole town to death with white smoke. I really loved it but was sure a backbeating, short on sleep job hauling cattle, Feast or starve.

 

OH ya Markel, the safety man. Would sit on I 40 in NM and stop you for a chat. And Prices at Roswell with the great coffee, biscuits and breakfast. Ca truckstop where you got your truck washed in Barstow, waxed it and parked on a dirt lot, it was dirty when u left. Anybody remember the Winslow truckstop that blew up and left a big hole from the propane tanks?

 

I remember when I was a little kid some days at recess the Printz boys would roll by in thier old brown Kenworth W9's the trucks were brand spankin new 89 models, I thought they were too cool.

I told my friends some day I would have one and it would be orange with blue stripes.

I can remember being about 12 and going to an auction with my dad, there was an 85 Kenworth W9 4 axle there, had 3 stick shifts coming out of the floor, a suspension seat, PTO and a home made headache rack. I hounded him telling him he should buy it, I wanted it really bad, told him I wanted to drive it to highschool!

I like the nostalga of the good ole days, It is really neat for me seeing pictures of the old trucks, so many today are just a steering wheel holder running a plastic truck down a deadend road.

I have seen some of the comradery the "old hands" talk about, anywhere I have found it I have relished it, really wish I could find more of it.

I will say I have found some of it here on this board.

 

I still plan to win the lottery, buy that old truckstop in Rhome Texas on 287 and put in a drive in movie screen over the fuel island! And it will be a "Truck Stop". None of this "Travel Center" Crap.

Instead of green stamps, I am going to have attendants wash the windows and mirrors and will accept the NATSN card. But there will be the best coffee and breakfast at reasonable prices. And there will be the "nose" of a COE coming through the ceiling of the restroom, complete with working lights!

I REFUSE to make truckers pay for parking! So I guess I now know why I can't seem to win the lottery!

 

Building a real truck stop is something I have also thought a lot about.

If I did it would have a "real" drivers lounge up on the second floor that had a good view of the entrance and interstate so if a friend went cookin by or pulled in you could call them and say hi, possibly even meet up.

 

Lets not forget....
Truck drivers were respected by the public!
when you broke down a fleet of trucks would stop to help!
Cabovers were the norm for most!
had to adjust your brakes daily(out west)......by yourself!
Did most minor repairs by yourself!
alot of trucks didnt have air ride yet!
no air ride cab!
alot of trucks didnt have jakes!
most trucks had around a 350hp engine!
most of us western drivers threw chains weekly in the winter!
air wipers.....gotta love hearing that all day!
air starters!
no urine tests!
No job applications for small guys!
Threw log book away each trip!
Banning scales used to close at 10:00pm
Cell phones?
satelitte radio?
GPS?
Quellcom?
A/C?
APU?
Tv?
Microwave?

here comes the stuff that sounds funny but true,
May trucking was a good company to drive for! Decked out K100 cabover kenworths!very hard to get on with!
Cr England and Dick Simon were respected hard runners!
Jb Hunt drivers had to wear uniforms!
swift pulled doubles with cabover freightliners and most were team!
The average pay for company drivers was give or take .21CP

Loved the old days though! you all drive safe!

 

see some things dont change---like the pay
take away the per diem and that is what some are paying now

 

canuck in da truck, Haha your right! didnt even think about that! drive safe!