Back in my day...

In 7 years I will have 50 years driving in this industry. No Tickets, No Incidents, NO ACCIDENTS. I will admit, after being off for 4 months, due to illness, It sometimes is difficult for me backing, rarely, but it happens. I get out of the truck slowly.

 

tailgating, in my opinion, is the norm for new drivers. this will shorten the time as a truck driver.

 

Drivers are going to be hitting docks 40 years from now, no doubt in my mind. And they'll be doing about half of the driving, and the other half will be a mix of varying levels of self-driving, with the driver still in the seat.

No way "automated trucking" is going to do the last mile or work in inclement weather or on rural roads within the next 50-75 years unless "The Jetsons" travel actually comes of age.

 

I disagree. I would venture to say 90% of chronic tailgaters are those who've been driving at least 5 years. And no doubt you won't have to look long to find more than a few 10+ year drivers who have no compunction about tailgating regularly, even in light traffic scenarios.

 

maybe on the main interstates, but put them on the Indiana toll road in the winter, wont last 10 miles before its in the ditch.

 

im in this industry right now for the GREAT insurance I have.

 

Congrats with the longevity in this business with such a safe record.
I can't say the same, as I crunched a fender on a pole backing into a dock after being out solo for 2 weeks. My bad.

But in that history, surely you have noticed the sheer increase in general traffic and quality of driver.
The mentality of people now seems to be very sub-par from when we were younger.
There is little attention to detail, little regard for safety. It is all too much about being in a rush to get anything done.

 

I salute you then!
I'll have 50 under me in 6 yrs.
No accidents but an incident or two but nothing costly.
Tickets...I've had a few, back in the seventies got 3 in a week!
Learned early not to test the limits of braking or gravity and to drive your own drive.

 

I salute you also bud. Its been a great time out here, back in the day. had a lot of fun. you know Dennixx, there are a few others on here just like us, that even have a few more than us. Great drivers, BigDon, Otter, and a few more on here.

 

I've made a good living at it too.
Paid for 2 homes and one ex wife.
5 new cars and many used.

Several times was tempted to own my own but when I did the math it just never seemed to be enough payoff for the extra effort.
Started seriously saving in the early ninetis and may have a comfortable sum to live on.
Probably work part time after I retire, still love the travel.