Trucking career is over

This industry ain't that bad. It all depends on what one driver puts into it. I say it ain't bad because I ignore a lot of things. I cant remember all regulations, and there's positives to be had. One has to see the world outside of trucking while trucking........that felt profound

 

They run at what? 15000 feet?

We did flying exercises with a 172 to get to it's factory altitude of about 15200 one summer day. Unfortunately due to the temperatures and lack of performance from both the wing and the engine's power we topped out at 13800 and had to come back down anyway when my 30 year old pilot started nodding off due to sleep hypoxia at 9 grand he started coming round.

Decades later crossing eisenhower at close to 12000 I felt the same hypoxia and other issues with my body. That was the day I called dispatch and told them not to send us west of the Chislom Trail again because I was losing the ability to handle high altitude. Some of those passes get up near 14000 in places.

It would not be too difficult for a train at 15000 to support railcars of passengers, maintaining say 6000 feet for them locally inside the cars. When you are in a airline jet or a rocket jet embraer you might be up to 41000 and at a 6% differential your cabin altitude would maybe approach 12000. For me if Chicago is 15 minutes from Little Rock at 41000 with a embraer rocket ship then it's not a problem. If I had to be at that height for say 3 hours across the USA from Little Rock to East coast then it's not something I can deal with. For me the Texas Eagle and the Captiol Limited passenger trains will get me to the east coast in about a day by sleeper car via Chicago. Sandstone before Harpers Ferry would be my highest pass on that route. Around 3500 feet give or take. Its 9 miles of pull.

A little noisey but it's downgrade braking against the mountain.

 

I was happy I am a trucker. Its what I am, I could not remember everything good that Ive seen around the North American Continent and the people. And that helps you forget some of the bad things out there.

There is a big difference between say a King of the Road in the 60's and a grubby antisocial pee bottle carting flip flop wearing vagabond in the 2020's Just need to get some class back into the industry is all. That will take more work than some are willing to put into it.

Ive been both a bad trucker and a good one. That helped me deal with some impossible situations provided by dispatch. Those ever loving mo.. er... professionals who do not in some cases understand what it will take to get this load past 4th of July in a raging storm with Snoqualmie still in doubt to being open or closed later that day for Seattle.

However, in winter I tend to remember Sandstone Mountain in WVa alot on 64. And what a mountain that one is when Mr Ice is all over everything. Why am I up here with 8000 in the box? sheesh. Story of my life.

 

Ehhh the industry is evolving. I think that's why so many people think its trash. Its changed so much from the previous generation to now. Its changing faster than ever now. People will dress how they dress. That doesn't bother me so much. I get more concerned with brain dead moves and unsafe practices. The speeding, the reckless driving, just many inconsiderate practices of being on the road. It's just symbolic of the world. "Me first."

 

Ty for reminding me about me first. Forgot about that.

I was stewing on the frauds who stuff 4 into a tiny rusted out VW Rabbit (Some of you havent lived until you rode in one of these...) and then try to set up insurance fraud and possibly kill all 4 or worse under my wheels. Fraud is such common that the last one was pretty epic and that trailer and tractor almost got away from me. Maybe even tried to spin me around which sometimes when loaded ### heavy might want to try. (That would have been something if I got turned around on one of the busiest roads in the NYC area...) its way better that than hurting or killing 4 who were being so stupid for what? A few dollars?

I kind of went out on a rant against the frauds. That makes me angry more than anything. However what really bothers me is people occasionally getting trapped with me coming on full steam and now having to find a rabbit out of my hat to save the children in the back watching death coming at them. That what gets me more than anything. Id on't care about the adults. (I do but only so far) but the children? Bless them they aint lived yet and I'll put that rig anywhere else but there with them.

 

That looks very fun for a young lady or man right there. Safer too I'll bet.

 

Just wanted to say, it's probably too late, but the OP did not need to accept those tickets.. That what lawyers are for! Whole industry protecting driver's CDL. I used a prepaid service AFTER I got the ticket for 15+ over. In a small Nevada city as well.

Not only did they get it reduced to under 10mph and save me $300, they even updated my PSP report to match. Saved my career! SEE, lawyer's and legal services can be a good thing sometimes.Kinda expensive though @ $35 monthly, but no there is no deductible.

 

It is kinda. You are part of about 1100+ below decks for 6 months or so maybe a few more at a time making and stacking your money working what is essentially hotel house keeping, meal service, janitor, fixing issues and so on. They are considered crew but are not really rated as such via the Maritime in America. There are many good things for them by the line whose generosity may be measured by free time off onboard, crew only casinos and food etc which is a sort of a menu lite. It's pretty profitable if you are careful. Go home in the off season. You probably would be sick of being around people by then.

Ive thought about going to sea a few times and havent forgotten about it. However the freight situation isnt that great and so forth.

 

Not over unless you give up.My first year was hell almost gave up.That was 36 years ago.