Better Days !!

Friday was my last day ! I'm retired after 34 years driving !
It's been a good run and I was so blessed to have had this job.When I joined this site,I made a deal with my boss that I wouldn't say where I worked while I was employed....I'm not there anymore, so.....Don't ask why he had objections,he just did.
I've worked for the federal government for the last 40 plus years. I drove a tractor trailer for the Dept of Veterans Affairs,making deliveries to 11 other VA's throughout New England.I drove about 70,000 miles a year,and made about $72,000 this year.I'm retiring with 80.5% of my pay.
We have plain trucks, no markings,or names on doors,inspection stickers, or IFTA stickers,just a US Government plate.I'd pull into weight stations and never get stopped,always waved through.I've had a few on road inspections where the cruiser pulled up beside me and said " follow me",we'd go to a park and ride or rest area where the DOT were waiting. I've actually had the DOT say " What the F' did he stop YOU for ? GET OUT OF HERE !!"
My log book took me a total of 30 seconds to fill out every day,we had no hours of service and even exempt from a medical card.
There were downsides to the job, We usually had used trucks from other agencies. My latest truck was a 2007 Freightliner that was 6 years old and had 10,000 miles on it.I put 40,000 miles on it in 6 months . Old trucks that sat for long periods were nothing but trouble. Also,all the bosses had to do, was declare an emergency,and we were on the road when everyone one else used their head and got off the road.One storm, I didn't see another tractor trailer for 8 hours.[ I did see 2 wrecked on wreckers] During Hurricane Sandy,they were going to send me to West Haven Ct in High winds. My protest fell on deft ears until West Haven called and said " DON'T send the truck,it's too bad." I was sent up north instead, still don't know IF I would have gone,but didn't have to worry about it..
Even though everything was more lax and exempt, I am still a professional driver. We have a mobile service company that comes to our place regularly.The trucks are ALWAYS kept up to specs and if I didn't like something,the truck didn't move.I've had a few shouting matches in the office. My life,my license !
I might still drive part time to keep busy. Be safe out there and happy trucking !