What has happened?

I'd give you 99% accuracy on that comment. Not bustin' your chops or anything, but there's still some of us on both sides of that statement.

I have made a career in the fire service, which has allowed me to learn a variety of other job skills, including driving. Us "old guys" still like to pass on knowledge to the younger generations, IF they'll listen. I currently have a millennial for a rookie whose biggest problem is 2 mouths and 1 ear. He was the stud duck at the local high school, family in the fire service, etc., etc. Overall, a good kid. His only problem? He is/was used to setting the pace for whatever activity was going on and people followed his lead. Since that's changed, he panics.

I personally would love to have a mentor like Triple Six or some of the other heavy hitters and successful drivers (both past and present) in this forum and I'm closer to 45 than I am to 44. My current career path doesn't allow for that right now.

Unfortunately, it's in almost every walk of life now. I see it in the fire service, the trades, #### near everywhere. My wife tells me about it regularly from the high school where she works.
A good friend and I tried to mentor a young fellow who wanted to break out as a rig welder (I've known this kid since he was in grade school). He did exactly what you described above and got ran off a good job. They had a 3 week "vacation" and were heading to another job that was 6-7 months long. Steady hours, good check every Friday, etc. He got in on the end of the job and was doing laborer work for welder wages and #####ing because "I am a welder, not a laborer.)

You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and have recognized the problems from your generation. Keep that awareness, don't allow yourself to slip back, and you will do well in life.

 

You guys hear about this? I was going to start a new thread and post this, but wasn't sure where to put it. @MACK E-6 ... maybe you could do that? This just blew my mind.
Three truckers drove into Houston and saved 1,000 people

 

Fantastic! So uplifting to know of good people committing selfless acts in the interests of their fellows.

 

Trucking, like everything else, has evolved over time. There are still plenty of good drivers out there, and "old school" times to be had. The idea is that you should always have a "glass is half full" attitude and not assume the worst in people before actually interacting with them and seeing what they can do.

I'm sure there were drivers in the 1980's wishing trucking "would go back to the 1950's/1960's" and complaining about all the "new blood greenhorns" entering the industry.

 

Ya know.. that's SO true, LoL... (giving away my age, hehehehe...) Good retrospect, though.

 

Not sure where... can you? I have a history of mucking stuff up, ya know!