Are You Crazy? Or Just Semi-Crazy?

Today, I'm a member of the general motoring public in good standing. Accomplishing that goal hasn't always been easy. With around a million mile markers in my back pocket while guiding an 80,000 pound projectile, and whatever the miles in a four-wheeler or "other type vehicle" add to that total.

I take my driving seriously.
Very seriously.
I used to think I took my driving MORE seriously when driving a Big truck, but now that most of my driving time is limited to 4-wheelers and Rent-A-Truck moving vans, I realize that isn't so. They're both equal, but not necessarily the same.
Many of my Big truck driving habits remain when I drive smaller vehicles.
I'm comfortable with that. Especially driving in Los Angles and Inland Empire, Riverside, California freeways, and I use the word "free", loosely. But they got the "way" correct. Like, NO other "Way".
Wall to wall traffic that's predictably unpredictable. And getting worse.
Hurry up and wait.

As a member of the general motoring public, AND a former Big truck driver, I feel qualified to ask y'all this, or these, questions. I don't know if there'll be more than one question,..........yet, 'cause I ain't thought what the question IS, is. And we ALL know how important the definition of "IS", is.
Right?

When I was driving a Big truck, I was enjoying it. REALLY enjoying it. The trucking company I drove for helped make that possible. A "nitch" company where a company Big truck driver was expected to run responsibly, and know their limitations. And bump elbows with Big truck Owner/Drivers, who, if approached with sincerity, would and did explain a lot about what makes the Big truck trucking industry tick. And what makes it tock. Or talk, ........ I forget.
Memory!
Second thing to go,
doncha know.

But during all those miles in a Big truck, and all the thinking done during said miles,.......... I don't recall ever wondering what it would be like to just ride along as a passenger in a Big truck going places.

But that changed last summer.
A former co-driver of mine, who now resides in the Great State of Texas, and still drives a Big truck, had a run that would take him by my home 20, then north to Central California, --- reload there and return me right to my front door.
And he asked if I wanted to tag along.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Running a refer now, and pulled by a rather nicely spec'd Pete with horsepower and a double bunk, I wondered if it was my company he wanted, or my lumping abilities.
I figured, either way, it was worth the gamble.
I took de ride.

On the way north, we stopped in Wheeler Ridge for fuel, and I jumped out as I grabbed my work gloves.
My friend stopped me in my tracks.
Asked me what I was going to do.
Uhhhhh, ....... wash the windshield?

"It's MY Big truck!" he told me.

OOppps!

Okay.
MAY I wash YOUR windshield?

"Yes -- but only because we're SHARING it this trip.
If you think you're along to work, go grab the tire-buddy and vent your frustration out on MY tires."

Yeah BUDDY!
For ONCE, I was just along for the ride.
And it took awhile for that to finally sink in.
But when it DID, it was awesome!

The fact that the Garlic Festival was in full swing, and a huge group of motorcycle riders were sharing the same roads with us for awhile, on a warm sunny day, with quite a few scantily clad ladies taking advantage of THEIR ride-along program. And I, up there riding in that Big truck, had AMPLE time to take advantage of those lovely sights from my VANTAGE point. The BEST seat in the house.
HEY!
I'm a GUY!
What's not to like about scenery like THAT?!

Amazing!
Not being responsible for the driving leaves a WHOLE LOT of time for sight-seeing activity.
And that area not only produces some of the State's finest Fruits & Nutz, it's breathtakingly beautiful in some places, and downright nice in others.
Granted, usually when riding in a Big truck as a passenger, I still watch the road ahead, to the side, and behind in the rear view mirror as well as I can. I think four eyes are better than two. And if I'da noticed him getting drowsy, I'da kept him alert or told him to pull it over.
And he knew I would --- IF necessary.
This was a mellow run.
No rush, and it went as planed, --- well.

It was a Sunday, and the load came off on schedule.
It seems two of the dock workers made a special trip to the warehouse on their day off.
THEY were early too.
Got RIGHT on it.
The load got right off.
Union scale.
You do the math.

Went to reload celery from a cold warehouse.
Celery is kept chilled.
And it was HOT outside.
What's NOT to like?

The dock workers spoke Spanish, fluently.
And did so in our presence.
Some might be asking, "Don't THEY know how to speak English"?
And normally, I might ask that too.
But THIS time, my gringo, Big truck driving friend, ... -- also spoke Spanish.
Hail, he's married to girl from Mexico City, and her family still lives in Mexico.
Both side visit the other.
He and the dock workers were talking about restaurants and bars in Mexican cities. My friend not only knew where they were talking about, he told them things about some places that even THEY didn't know.

Budda-Bing
Budda-Bang.

Thanx!
Adios!

Loaded -- scaled -- paperwork in hand, --- and we were outta there slicker than black ice.
If not for the conversation in Spanish, we'da been outta there quicker.
Imagine that.

But we weren't in a hurry.
Go figure.

Have y'all ever noticed that when you're NOT in a hurry, things seem to go smoother?
I wonder if there's a lesson in there, ...... somewhere?

Now, I'll confess, ....... I LOVE just driving Big trucks. I LOVE horsepower, but especially Big torque. And at least 13 gears.
However, I do believe I could EASILY get used to JUST riding along, --- and maybe sharing duties. But not driving.
Hmmmmmmmmm

Another thought just occurred to me!
**~~note to self....remember to ask the posters if they know of any situations where the Chick drives, and the GUY just rides?~~**end note to self here ---->X~~**

And now I think I know my question(s).

Am I as weird as I think I am, or have others experienced the same thrill I did, just RIDING in a nice, Big truck with a friend?

I'm expecting that some just want to get OUT of a Big truck on their days off. And maybe some who will admit they don't WANT to get out of their Big truck at all. I've experienced both emotions back in the day.

But experiencing the adventures of Big truck truckin' from the jump seat was a new one for me. I'll admit, the run WAS about as close to perfect as a run can get, and the scenery was fantastic, and the company was fine, all adding to the pleasure.

Is there ANYone else out there who thinks they'd enjoy a ride-along in a Big truck without the responsibility of it's operation if they had the time? Just a short hop or extended trip(s)?

 

I'm not asking if I should do it.
I already did!
I'm wondering if OTHERS would do it.

 

Taking driver ed students for a Big truck truck ride is an EXCELLENT idea, Driver! I wish more Big truck truck drivers would and could do just that. I think it'd sure open some eyes to what a Big truck needs compared to what 4-wheelers require.
Heck!
Taking ANY 4-wheeler driver for a Big truck truck ride would be a good idea. Kudos to you for doin' it.