Another on bites the dust..

Miserable? Hardly. Venting? Maybe just a bit. I get tired of seeing people come into the industry thinking they're going on a summer camping trip, then being all mad once they figure out it's the summer vacation they were sold

 

Read my edit.

And that’s fine, but why are you “tired.”

It doesn’t affect you, indirectly or directly. Especially on a forum man. Relax and if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything.

Or don’t be a half arsehole, just be a complete one and laugh at the “newbies” and keep it moving.

 

Yeah. Sure. Whatever ya say. Enjoy your life

 

Sure thing, stay blessed man.

 

Actually upon further thought, (I'm old ya know) this kind of thing DOES affect me,and other drivers, indirectly.

When I go to a '''travel plaza" as they're called, (which is hardly ever anymore as a local driver), and I see the litter in the parking lot, and I look across and see the Johnson family filling up their minivan with gas, I have to wonder what goes through Mr. Johnson's mind when he sees the trash all over the place where the drivers park.

Same with anywhere else trucks park.

And I'm not pointing fingers at just newbies here. It's across the whole age range.

Sorry, my dementia is kicking in, and I lost my thoughts. Bear with me here.

Ok, I'm back on track, sorry for the delay. I'm tired of being lumped in with such ''drivers", simply because of my job title. When I go meet new people at a Bbq, and am asked what I do, I almost have a bit of shame when I tell them I'm a truck driver. The sideways glances you get when you tell someone that is remarkable. The only comfort I have in those situations is knowing I probably make more money than they do.

I'm tired of turning on my local news station every night and seeing the latest deadly truck crash caused by a careless truck driver.

You might say ''' if it's so bad for you, just quit!" And you might be right. But, I've wanted to to this since I was able to form my own thougts. I've invested my entire working life to get where I am. I still love driving. I love the sound of a 550 Cat tearing down a dark highway at 3am. I loved pulling oversize loads for the five years I did it. And now I love pulling my tanker around. It's all I've wanted to do, and I take some pride in doing it rather well.

But, I'm tired of my fellow ''drivers" trashing what once was a very honorable career.

Quit? Well, that's not something I do. And I'm not starting. I'm gonna finish out my days, all 30 years of them, and enjoy the memories and friends I've made along the way, all while hoping I make it to the bathroom on time.

 

Prime reason that the FMCSA is tightening the regs so tight that if a trucker farts special bulletins are issued by the feds.

 

Well now we are getting somewhere MR.!!!

Although you may SEEM to have SOME valid points you are REACHING by trying to pin those problems (your problems) on newbies, vet truckers and/or other civilians that look “down on you” and your craft.

Your entire post is based around what others think of you and then you try to pass it off as “all truckers” in general (which can be true). That my friend is a YOU problem and anyone else that cares what others think about them. Like you said, you’re doing what you like and you are ASSUMING you are making more money than them so what is the issue. Your inner insecurities have nothing to do with other people, that is a personal problem.

Secondly, what exactly do you mean by “age range?” You know times do change right? What was sufficient for you in the 60s, 70s or whatever is not necessarily sufficient for someone in 2018. The internet is a world of knowledge. Also social media is big now, so all of those things that were never highlighted before, can be highlighted and brought to the attention of prospective recruits, whether newbies or vets. The more information available the better. Not exactly sure why you and others think spamming message boards with angered rants will change anything (or why you’d want it to). I appreciate the fact you were able to articulate yourself this time without doing so.

One thing pops taught me is that you can fight against change as much as ya want but you’ll never stop it, just lose more time of your life in the process!

As far as careless drivers! That has no age range, or experience limit. There are careless drivers of every age, race, creed etc.

Nevertheless I hope you one day silence all the “background noises” and just be happy doing what you enjoy. Life is too short to worry about what others think. You made a life for yourself and there is nothing shameful about it! Stay blessed beloved.

 

Sorry I don't believe that for a second. Some are inherently more careless than others.

 

Nothing at all wrong with change. Back in the 60s my father was give expense money and sent on his way to a delivery or pickup. Then every morning he would (check call) to his company's WATS line. This morning call was mostly his only contact with us or his company. In 1964 when my grandmother died we had to call his company and they had to send a description of his truck to the cops so they could find him, stop him and give him the emergency message. Those days are long ago gone and I say good riddance. However with this new tech comes backward facing camera's e-logs and GPS. The nannystate in regard to trucking for some reason bothers me. I guess it is the fossil butt in me. Change is good, but not always. Just keep this in mind.

 

Actually I do. I think the word experience in that quote might be what's sticking out. Trust me on this. There are many drivers out there with decades of time at the wheel of a CMV. I have seen many of these drivers act stupidly. The only difference between a careless driver with 20 years and one with 1 year is the one with 20 years just has not been caught yet.