Old School Trucking vs. New School Trucking

If a truck broke down, there might be 3 or 4 other trucks stopped and assisting.

The CB was multi-media.

Speed limit was 55 everywhere. And trucks were NOT governed.

If you drove a conventional, you were a big dog, or at least an owner operator.

Parking was easier to find, regardless of what time it was.

I had an 800 number at home. So I could call (from a pay phone) without breaking the bank.

I-10 and I-20 were considered possible mogul event locations for the winter Olympics.

Many "interstates" were not complete.

Power windows, power mirrors, and air ride were extra...if you could get them at all.

Your "storage area" was also your bed.

I could pull up TO the line. And still see it....just look down.

If you didn't have 2 log books in the truck, and use both at the same time. You were a lazy ###.

We actually got 4000 miles a week or more. Most times.

A trip to Altoona, PA, could be a nightmare in winter. Along with a very long list of other places.

Running the north west....was actually dangerous. Not to say it isn't now. But the older guys know what I mean.

 

Back then The US Army was the biggest truck driving school in the world. Transportation then were "duece and a halfs", 5-tons and 10-tons.

 

Remember these.

 

No keys,

flip switch and push a starter button !!!!

Replacing the can of either for cold starts.........

Air starter.......

 

20 years ago if you needed help you called on the cb and got plenty of it today alls you here is a bunch of bs. The cops and dot acually would give you a break and let you slide on things not today. The main thing to me is we made more money back then because the costs where not this high and the rates were good and not so many cutting rates to get the work.

 

Noobs would freak out, seeing the blower motor case sticking out under the dash

Truck were so noisy. And drafts were normal. Unless you carried a lot of grease rags to plug the holes with.

 

Keep it coming guys!!! I love hearing about the good ol days. I was born and raised in a truckin family. My pops learned in a Chevrolet gas burner with a tag-axle. I was taught the old way by my pops and his buddies. My first truck when I started driving in '97 was a '78 International S-2500. I thought I was the man at 18. That truck had a Big cam 400, 13 spd, 4:33 rears with walkin beam suspension. I think the A/C worked for the first week of the first summer and that was it. I actually miss that ol truck.

 

Although I never drove for a company that used those time meters I do remember them, alot of the grocery companies and frieght companies used them. I also remember the low air warning flag dropping down instead of todays buzzer.

 

Air driven wipers. God, I'm glad those days are over. Although I see many still in use.