Back after 15 years

I just got back from my second trip otr after being gone for 15 years. I was driving local for the last 8 years but work got slow and so had to make a change.

Speaking of changes I noticed a few. No one talks on the cb anymore, had one driver simply ask if the chicken coop was open, no one said a word, i heard him then say everybody on east bound must have sold their radios ha ha. Bear alerts, forget it nobody helps with that either.

People don't want to run together anymore either, even from your own company, i saw lots of trucks a mile apart or more, years ago they would have all run together.

Truckstops and rest areas are full way too soon, drivers pulling in before their 11 is over just to get a spot. At some truck stops if you get there after 5.00 pm your screwed either make your own spot or leave. Make sure you don't have to go to the bathroom after 7.00 pm rest areas are a joke and you can't get in, block everybody in for 10 minutes or crap your pants.

Time limits have changed also. I live in NC and used to leave Friday night at 5.00 pm for a 7.00 am delivery in California, now leave Saturday for the same delivery time. This last trip I went to Logan township in Jersey and had to be in Austin Texas 24 hours later with a ups load, made it with 5 minutes to spare but they took 1.5 hours before even starting to unload us 3 hours total then drove to Garland Texas for a Sherwin Williams load to California, then laid over almost 2 days before getting a Burlington Coat factory load back to the yard in 23 hours flat as a driver was waiting to take it back up to Jersey City.

I am having problems sleeping while the truck is moving, I will be exhausted after my 10 hours but get back in the bunk and can't sleep, only got 3 hours sleep the whole way out there.

Speeds have slowed down a bit but in the states where it's 75 or more big cats still prowl the hammer lane passing everything in sight.

Im in a 587 pete, worst truck I have ever driven, noisy loud and rides like a buck board wagon. Thow it in a curve anywhere near the speed limit or more and you will lean over more then most roller coasters. Sleeper is so loud they might as well as cut a hole in the floor and hung my head right next to the drives. Hard to believe trucks 15 years ago were quieter and more stable than todays pos. Just another piece of trash from peterbilt, give me a kenworth anyday, better built, better ride, quiet as a lexas and won't make you think your on topgun at carowinds everytime you hit a curve.

Paccarr motor is trash, had lawn mowers pull harder but it will run 73 so i can live with it for now until the older trucks have the cats rebuilt then I will trade mine in gladly. Does get 7.3 to 8 a gallon so can't complain about that i guess.

Despite the truck i am enjoying long haul again, have a great partner, microwave, inverter and getting a tv and laptop soon. Money is decent too cleared 940.00 my first check, from NC to CA everyweek, sometimes going up north to pick up my load. All in all its everything i thought and hoped it would be all over again, its good to be back.

When I knew i had to make a job change it was the positive comments on this forum that enticed me back to what i used to do and now im here and enjoying it, hope to see you out on the road. Drive safe.