Back in my day...

The worst 5% of people in any industry create at least 50% of the problems. Often it's more like 5% creating 80% of the problems.

 

I read this earlier and could not stop laughing about it.

No disrespect but this "job" has become less professional and more of just a job than it was when I was behind the wheel in a truck the first time.

I really feel for some of my drivers when they have to deal with idiots on the road and most of them are drivers like themselves. One reason why I try hard to take care of them is because of what they face on the road, I hated it when other drivers who were jerks or cowboys caused problems for all of is, I even stress this here if we want to fix anything, we have to clean up our own messes within the industry.

 

This job has become the lowest common denominator.

 

No, Not Necessarily......It really Wasn't ALL about the bottom end- Things in Life were more "Affordable" than today, Keep that in mind too

Bragging really never occurred...We took the time to assist others- Even if it meant a few hours of our day- That right there I just never see anymore- It's a Ratrace today with a Hurry -up Personna and I Know for sure Many folks Just get by............the Dollar Never followed Inflation after I'd say 1990...

Sad state of affairs Really for a lot of people trying to Grasp the American Dream- Society Structured itself to make it harder These days.

 

Same here. I believe that experience is the best teacher. I won't it for you but I'll tell you how to do it.

Saw a newer guy to reefers trying to get his started. Ran it pretty low before refueling and it died,wouldn't start. Common problem. I told him that it probably sucked in air and needed to be purged/primed. He didn't know how to do it. Got him on the catwalk and told him what to look for. Pump,clear codes;pump,clear codes. Got it up and running. Now he knows how to do it and I didn't even get dirty.

I was in one of they scale house in CO on 70. There was actually a flyer on the wall for a company that will come out and put chains on and take them off. Even had a price list for the work and for any chains you needed.

I won't take money from those that a ignorant but want to learn. I will charge the carp out of the lazy.

 

A long boring story if you want to read.
Back in the 80's one trip,was heading WB on I-90 in Montana,had a water filtration machine on my lowboy,heading to Wenatchee,Wa. area.Nice sunny winter day,roads are good,approaching Pipestone Mt. An eastbound truck yells at me on the CB that there's a brokedown wide load blocking the right lane ahead of me,just as you start up Pipestone,driver is looking for a westbound truck to give him a tow off the road.No problem,stop and talk to the guy.He's got a 3 axle step with some kind of wide oil rig platform on,old Ford cabover,and has been running low on fuel because of his weight.Started up the grade,fuel tanks sucked air,shutoff.Backed up to the front of him,hooked a chain to him and my d-rings on the back of my trailer.Coordinated a smooth easy take off via the cb,got him rolling,and I'm in low,low gear,creeping up the mountain.I'm now pulling about 140k gross with my truck and his up the hill,don't dare shift to second,as I'm afraid the chain will break,or worse.I don't remember how long a ride that is up that hill,but it took a good bit of the afternoon, while motoring along in low.Finally got him to the top,there's a rest area,pulled him into there.Unhooked the chains,and he tried his truck and it started up,level enough to pick up fuel.
Anyhow,he tries to pay me,I refuse,always felt good helping some one out that truly needed help.Getting dark and he's heading down to the truckstop in Butte for the night,he says at least let me buy you dinner,sure.We get fueled,park,and sit down to eat.Get to talking,he's on his way to Canada,coming from Oklahoma.Has lost his home,lives in his truck,has Cancer,all kinds of horrible issues.I really felt bad having him buy me dinner after listening to all his troubles.Just makes you feel fortunate for what you have.
Have always tried to help other truckers out if I could.Bought another trucker a used tire on old US 30 in Idaho one night.He had to get home,no money,problems,etc.Took my address,said he's send me the money.Never saw it,no big deal,like to think I helped someone truly down on there luck.Can smell a scammer a mile away,but can usually tell when some ones truly distressed.If I can help I will,just the way I was raised.
Don't see a whole lot of that in the world anymore,but I know there are still some good truckers out there.