Hi, I'm Snazzy and I'm Trucker

What are you gonna do when you actually get a good student. All of the fun grabbing the steering wheel and sitting in laps will be gone.
Oh! Myaybe you can catch up on some well deserved sllep than..

 

Having worked in a toy store a few years back I can tell ya that Tonkas ain't what they used to be. When I was a kid in the 70s they were mostly metal with some plastic, now they are mostly plastic with some metal.

I liked my Nylint trucks better, they were more realistic.

Anyways, that's my two-cents worth!

 

Let's have a big Snazzy welcome for Seansolo our newest Snazzer. I see that Sassy posted an appropriate picture, Pj, Wolfie, and Lady are still with us. So, Snazzy points all around, as Life Goes On.

It started out as just a little twitch in my left eye. You know, it'd kind of blink more often than my right one. Well, it got worse, you know, it stated to flutter and flap. Yep, it was like having a sparrow's wing for an eyelid. I Knew it was my nerves, that was the cause of it. Yep, between Victor, Shane, and Tyrone, I had aged 20 years and was falling apart. Yep, I wasn't sleeping well and spent alot of time taking cat naps in the copilots seat. Ole Tyrone amazed me, yep, the longer he drove the worst he got. I couldn't believe it, I mean everyday he took that wheel he'd find new ways of screwing things up. We had made a delivery and were parked at a TA in some frozen State. I really don't remember, but I think it was in ? No that's not it, maybe it was ? Well anyway, I had parked and bought our breakfast. Now, Tyrone was all ticked off, because of his first paycheck. Well, it really wasn't a check. You know, the company credits your bank credit card with your settlement pay. Yep, when you signed on with TLX they'd have you open a bank account at their local branch. You see, then come payday they'd credit it and with just a swipe at an ATM, you'd know how much they'd screwed you out of. Of course they also allowed you to use the quailcom computer to request your mileage pay and what deductions had been taken out.

Tyrone sat behind the wheel, " That's not right ! You can't tell me that I owe them money ! I'm been driving my butt off. "

I fingered the keyboard, " Let's see, yeah, alright, that's right, and ? Oh, that's it. See, I've been telling you not to make all of those cash draws. You see, that's what it is ! Yep your doing ok, for only making a nickel per mile, and drawing $150.00 a week. "

Tyrone's eyes grew angry, " That's my cash draws ! They can't that out of my pay ! I earned that and they can't pull this ! "

I rolled my twitching eye, " Listen to me ! Those draws are taken out the minute you make them. It's just a cash advance and that's all ! Now, I've been paying for both our meals and you really don't need to make all of those draws. See, I don't even draw any and live off of my bank account out here on the road. It takes awhile to get winged off of them, but it's best to do it that way. "

Tyrone had to ask, " Well how much did they pay you ? "

I grinned, " Let's see, we had a little over 7,000 miles, at 20 cents per mile, and I did use my fuel card on that flat. So, without any draws, but after taxes. Well, around a thousand dollars, maybe a little more. "

Tyrone threw a he-see, " I see ! Your in with them ! Just screw me and pay you ! I figured that ! "

I held back, " Tell you what Tyrone ! I'll get off this truck and let's see how far you get ! I earn every penny that I make and another thing ! I don't know a trainer out here that buys their students meals. Man ! My trainer hit me up for money to blow at the casinos. Now I'm telling you ! You can be make more than I do, in six months. Yep, just be patient and pay attention to what's going on. "

Tyrone thumbed his windshield glasses, " They won't let me train ! I'm an excon on parole and you know it ! They're just waiting for me to relapse, so they can lock me back up ! "

I lit a 100, " That's BS and you know it ! That agent Silly is on your side and I know that he is. Yep, Tyrone you've got more people on your side, than you'll ever know about. Hell, even Mother Ed will bend over backwards, if he sees that your dedicated and not a quitter. So, come on and get with it ! You can make this into a new beginning. Trust me ! I've been through the system and I've seen both sides. Yep, I'm an excop and an excon, so I know what your going through ! "

Tyrone had to push it, " So I guess your black too ! Man ! You don't know nothen ! I know how this works ! "

I'd heard enough, " Black ? Black ? What the hell are you talking about ! That agent Silly is blacker that you are ! Hell, TLX hires more minorities than any other outfit I know of ! Man ! I know for a fact there are at least a dozen outfits looking ..."

Tyrone cut me short, " Yeah, looking for N-words like me on parole that have been down for shooting up horse ! "

I gave up, " Your right ! It's all one big conspiracy and we're doing all that so we can to keep you hooked on dope ! Yep, the whole world is in on it and your just too sharp for us ! "

Tyrone laughed, " Man ! Your a hoot ! I've never had no one put it that way, but your wrong. It's not like ya'll mean to do it. It's just the way things are and have been. It's the system that keeps .."

I jumped in, " Tyrone your probably right ! I'm not saying that the system is fair or even close to it. I'm saying we can change it, if we try ! You know what I mean ! Now, come on ! "

So, Tyrone mellowed as though a ton of bricks had been lifted from his shoulders. I just knew that I'd gotten through to him. Yep, a breath of fresh air filled the cab and cleared away the stench of deception and distrust. I was almost humming the ole Negro spiritual 'We Shall Overcome'. You know, it was like a moment that I knew that I'd never forget and I haven't. Yep, right between, someday and we shall, is when the distinct sound of a angry airhorn blasted away my dream of better tomorrows. Yep, ole Tyrone had pulled out of our parking spot and took off the drivers side mirror of the truck next door. Yep, and that driver was plenty pissed off. Now, I understand why, because I'd backed into that spot and never came close. Yep, ole Tyrone done raped another pooch.

I had ask, " Tyrone didn't you see that truck next to us ? He's been parked there the whole time ! "

Tyrone pulled the yellow button, " Did I hit it ? I couldn't had ! "

I rolled my window down, " Yep ! You got his mirror alright and here he comes. Look, let me talk to him and just wait here. "

I sashayed back, " Man, I'm sorry about that. I got a student driver and he just cut it too sharp. Are you ok ? "

The Angry One spit, " I was yelling over the CB at you dummies ! Look at that and it's broad daylight ! Where is that Idiot ! I have a good mind to clean his clock ! "

I defended the Idiot, " He's just new and it's my fault. I'm his trainer and should of known better. Tell you what, I'll back her, back in here and we can work something out. "

So, that's what I did. Yep, luckily all Tyrone had done was caught that West Coast mirror and popped the glass out of it. I sashayed inside the truckstop and purchased a new one. Yep, a few wrench turns later and about $ 75.00 lighter we set sail. I was pretty ticked off and this time it was at Tyrone. You know, a blind bat could of seen that truck. Yep, that was just an uncalled for waste of time and money. I decided to cool down before cutting it up with Tyrone. So, he disappeared into the sleeper, as I drove to the our next assignment, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snazzers, your Snazzy1.

 

Young Tyrone.

 

hello iam shawn and i am a wanabe lol atending school very soon here in good old nys...i have been a mechanic for 20 + years time for a change
so iam geting in to trucking..and i have learned so much being on this blog
frome what companys to stay away from to what ill need when i do pick the right company.. and the people here are awesome .. thank you all

 

Oh man, my trainer got wound up if when i was driving i had a bug hit the windshield,let alone take off someones mirror..Gotta hand it to you Snazzy,dont think i could take it like you do...hopefully this guys "gets it"soon...good luck !

 

Poor snazzy! If it weren't for bad luck--you wouldnt have any at all! Snazzy turn on that sign that says "I train non-drivers". Maybe you will have better luck with it off. Good luck on your journeys--better keep an eye on tyrone!

 

A big Snazzy welcome to Tame and I agree there are a bunch of fine folks that post on this site. Yep, Lady Trucker someone needed to keep an eye on Tyrone and Pjw044 I needed all the luck that I could get. I see that Sassy posted a grade school picture of Tyrone and those glasses sure bring back memories, as Life Goes On.

I picked up a load of gadgets headed to the City of Industries and decided to get Tyrone's attention. Yep, I drove over 15 hours straight and used his book to look legal. I finally turned the reins over and took the shotgun seat.Tyrone ground through the gears, as we headed West.

I poured myself a hot one, " We're good time wise and should make it with time to spare. Now Ty, your going to have to really buckle down. We're doing good and the miles are there. But, we can't afford any more accidents. I know that you didn't mean to clip that mirror and hell it could happen to anyone. But hey ! You can't afford to be making any more mistakes. You know, your on probation with TLX until you complete your training. They don't even consider you as an employee until then. Yep, if you keep screwing up..."

Tyrone eye's interrupted me, " You had my mirror blocked and I couldn't see that truck. That's what happened ! Your blaming me, when it was your fault and...."

I'd heard enough, " Tyrone it doesn't matter if you try to blame me or swear that parked truck jumped out and knocked it's own mirror off ! When your behind that wheel everything that happens is on you ! Now, if I'm ever in the way of you seeing out, all you need to do is say, "MIRROR !" I'll flop back and give you all the space you need ! Your not going to hurt my feelings any and I'd rather that you cuss me, than to hit something. "

Tyrone had to ask, " So, your not going to report that mirror... "

My twitching eye rolled, " No Tyrone ! We're starting fresh and nothing that's happened up to now counts ! Just don't screw up anymore and I mean it ! I'll cover your butt and sing your praises, as long as there are no more mishaps. You've got my word on it ! "

So, I sat there and watched Tyrone, as he fought the wheel and played with the stero . Yep, it seemed that all of the students cared more about what music played, than what was going on down that big road. So, your asking me why I put up with it ? We'll Victor hadn't actually hadn't been a student of mine. Remember, we were both considered a student team, so he had an equal say in matters. Now, young Shane had been my first, but he drove well. But even then, you know, you'd think that students first starting out would take things more serious. Anyway, ole Tyrone would of thought that I was picking on him. So, I let him play DJ and grinned and bared it. I managed to sneak in 40 winks and climbed out of the condo dog house. We pigged out, fueled up, and set sail. Yep, it had gotten dark and I still didn't trust Tyrone to drive at night. Anyway, we made it to the cosignee's and I parked, along with the 50 or so other waiting big rigs.

I pulled the button, " Hey Ty, I want you to handle this one. Just pretend that I'm not even here. Go ahead and punch in the computer that we made it and take this paperwork inside. See that door there where the sign is ? Just walk it in there and turn it in. They'll assign you a dock door and you'll need to back her in. I'll wait out here and help you when you get back. "

So, Tyrone shuffled away, as I watched him enter the large warehouse. It was still dark and the sun wasn't even up. Well, I waited and waited, and waited some more. Finally, I sashayed inside to see what was up. Yep, ole Tyrone was on a pay phone and chatting away.

I had to ask, " Tyrone what's going on ? "

Tyrone pointed to the shippers window, " Ask him ! He'll tell you ! "

I took the paperwork over, " How's it going, I've got this for you. Looks like ya'll are pretty busy. "

The Hateful One spit, " If your with him, you might as well forget getting unloaded anytime soon ! "

I was stunned, " Why ? What's the deal ? "

The Hateful One snatched my paperwork, " I'll try to get you worked in, but your buddy sure needs to work on his manners. Just wait in your truck and I'll send someone when we're ready for you. "

I lied, " Well I sure appreciate that and if my partner did anything to upset you, I'm sorry. "

Hateful gave his version, " That Idiot threw his paperwork at me and told me that he had a appointment. Hell, every truck here has an appointment and we do what we can. He claimed that because he's black that I was ignoring him ! That guy is a raciest and tried to pull that crap on me. Well, screw him ! I treat everyone the same and don't need him to start up with all of that ! "

I acted like I gave a ####, " Well, I'll sure have a talk with him. He's new at this and probably didn't understand. I'll straighten him out and again, I'm sorry for any ..."

Hateful shook his head, " No ! You didn't do anything wrong and it's lucky your here. I was going to let him sit and have second shift fool with him."

So, I sashayed away and gave Tyrone the old nose nod. You know, like I'll see you outside. Well, ole Tyrone took his sweet time and finally sat down in the shotgun seat. I'd decided to get his version of things.

I lit a 100, " So what happened in there ? "

Tyrone folded his arms, " That fat Cracker doesn't know how to treat a black man ! He treated me like his house N-Word and he better watch out! I'll smack him alongside his head ! "

I blew smoke, " Yeah, that'd sure show him, while they haul you back to the joint and have a big laugh. You think that I don't have to put up with the same stuff ? Hell, if I had a nickel for every time a warehouse jerk smarted off, I'd be rich ! Tyrone you have learn, that in this business your going to deal with every smart butt there is. Just laugh it off and don't let it get to you. Now, one thing though ! Never give them a reason to .."

Tyrone glared at me, " I knew that you'd take his side ! Your telling me how to be black ! You don't need to tell me anything, because..."

I went postal, " Hold it right there ! You've said enough and I don't want to hear anymore ! If you think that I'm talking to you as a black man, your full of it ! I'm talking to you as a driver and that's all ! Now, you can take your black man crap and stick it up your butt ! I don't want to hear it ! "

Tyrone backed up, " I'm just saying..."

I gave him the look, " You've said enough ! Let's just drop it and leave it alone. From now on, I'm just going to let you think what you want and I'm here to teach you drive. That's it ! "

So, thanks to two Idiots, you know, the shipping clerk and ole Tyrone, I sat for half a day waiting to be unloaded. Now, I really did feel sorry for both of them. Yep, two grown men that hated each other and couldn't even work together. What a deal ! I guess it was Tyrone's attitude that help to bring out the worst in others. Of course I'd dealt enough shipping jerks to know how some folks just can't be nice. You know, they have to act like your bothering them by just showing up. Anyway, I was more upset with Tyrone for making that phone call. I mean, he should of just came back out and filled me in. Nope, he done decided that I was his enemy and that really hurt me. Yep, I'd learned my lesson. You can lead a horse to water, but be careful that he doesn't try to drown you, as Life Goes On.

Nightie night Snarrers, your Snazzy1.

 

Jeez--tyrone has bigger issues other than the fact that he cant drive. He needs to wake up to reality here! Snazzy good luck to you--you gonna need it with tyrone--i woulda done threw him out my truck!

 

My advice to you, Snazz? You may as well just drop Tyrone off at the local jailhouse. With his attitude, that's where he's gonna wind up anyway... <sigh>