18 wheels on that semi or 10 ?????????????????????????????????

Hey Gordon, Thanks for that chuckle this early, although at the time that happened, I'll bet it was pretty tense! And on a C/O all the stuff would end up on the dash when you tilted the cab. That 4070 Transtar was a nice truck, despite the crappy Reyco susp. but there wasn't a dock I couldn't get into. The Freightliner was an awful truck. It was a setback axle, with an air ride cab, and was like on a ship on the ocean, bouncing around, and the clutch was SO touchy, there was no friction point, it was like a dog clutch, either in or out, and the cab would start bouncing, terrible truck. And that truck had more mirrors on the right side than a models dressing room, and it was STILL dangerous. Yep, fact is, at truck stops, waitresses would take care of us 1st, cause they knew we were truckers, and civilians never really went to truck stops, just for that reason. Now, everybody goes to truck stops, and I tell everyone to do that, it's just safer.

 

Hey Gordon, if you still have your ears on, what was the name of that scissor chair that would send you into the roof on big bumps? With that shock absorber, and that handle on the side.I can't find a picture of it and it's driving me nuts!

 

For all the tech bashers out there, if youw ant to stay with old tech, hard seats, duel tires, no GPS, then thats fine. But truth is, tech helps make your business run faster more efficiently and easier. There are many drivers in the industry today who dont have what it takes to be a trucker 20 years ago. But, truth is, we dont have to. Do i need a nice comfy seat? No, but it sure makes my job easier an more comfortable. Work smarter and harder. If you choose not to use tech like SS, your competition will. When they can offer lower rates because they get better MPG you struggle to keep afloat. Weather you like new tech or not, the world is gonna use it either way. I dont need to prove im a tough truck driver that could handle life without technology. I book loads with a laptop, find shippers with 2 gps, have SS for better mpg, and use my cell to do business. Now, im not saying you should forget commen sense and 100% rely on new tech, but, new tech is hear to make our jobs easier (most of it lol).

 

Hi Richter, I think you may have missed our point a little. Yes, these are the "good 'ol days" and I don't think there's an old-timer alive that would want to go back to the way it was. Our point is, these "luxuries" weren't developed over night, like anything else, health care, airline travel, communication, all had to have "guinea pigs" to get us to this point, and it is better. I guess, we just don't want those "guinea pigs" forgotten, and it has nothing to do with "being tough". I never thought I was any tougher than anyone else, just doing my job.

 

Very true it was hard work and we kept going back for more.Because we wanted to drive,We ate slept and drank driving and hauling whatever.Truck driving schools are a big reason this industry sucks so bad now. It used to be here are the keys figure it out and be there in the morning. I finished high school one day got hired that night and left with a load of brick about an hour later,that was in may of 1972

 

Sir, I respect you for your 45 yrs of service on these highways and byeways but, I have to disagree with you on some things. To say that today's drivers wouldn't make it back in the day of no PS, Split-ring tupeless tires is just not true. If that day was today, we would be doing it but, that day is in the past and things are better and safer. Sure, there are a LOT of drivers that wouldn't drive truck if today was like the days of old but, people like me would. So, I guess what I am saying is; your wrapping ALL drivers into the same swath. There are many driver's that love this life and would gladly change a light bulb and do whatever it takes to get the load delivered.

You started driving the same time my dad did so, trust me brother, I respect you and your generation that drove those rigs of old. But don't put me in the same pot as those that want to drive automatics, won't change a blown out light, and expect everything to be handed to them or, taken care for them. I have never been that guy and never will be, thanks dad....

 

Hi CRN, yep, all good points. My 1st TT job(had several straight truck jobs before) I walked in, filled out a 3x5 index card, they asked me a few questions, we went for a short ride, and that afternoon, I was on my way to pick up a load of silica sand. (1978 I don't think I even had my chauffeur's license! (but on the request of the boss, got one shortly after, and never did take a road test in a truck. The examiner asked if I had a road test of ANY kind in the last 2 years, I said , I took my motorcycle road test the year before, good enough, he said,,,,WHO'S NEXT)

 

I want to say that it may have looked like I was bashing Gordon but, I am not. It sounded, in that post, that he was bashing all new age drivers, I got defensive to a point. No disrespect to any old timer's, especially those that drove during the same time my dad did.. he would kick my butt, if he was alive, if I ever disrespected anyone of you.

 

@Sheepdog:

Don't take offence,i'm not bashing you BUT
just because we see the advantage (not a opinion you share,we know) off driving a good working auto,don't put us in the same sentence as drivers who won't change a lightbulb.

I like my auto and my next truck will have also but i do my own maintenance and i can drive those old trucks(thank God i don't have to anymore)

be safe.

 

True, many tired it, but many did not stick to it.

No AC, no power steering, sweating in hot weather while moving down the road with a hot breeze flowing through the truck.

Oh the no power steering such made the arms & shoulders strong. I recall having a blow out on the front right on a two lane highway, how I kept it on the highway I will never know.

But regulations are about to regulate truck drivers & trucking out.

I'm happy that I'm not out there today, but if it was like yesterday i would love to be out there.