Cb radio

part of it is me slowly passing another truck

 

I know the feeling, aramil.

When I began my driving career the company I was hired by governed their Big trucks at 65 mph, but preferred that we keep it at 55 mph or below. They provided an incentive in the form of a bonus. All we had to do is keep it at 55 or below, not exceed 1,800 RPM and keep our idle time down. Bonuses were paid monthly and if we did everything right, it added seven cents per mile for all miles driven that month. That usually added another $100 a week, --- $400 or more a month. Four hundred a month times 12-months put an extra $4,500 to $5,000 in my bank account. So, .... on the one hand I wanted to run faster, --- at least 65 mph, --- 75 mph even better, but at a cost I wasn't too anxious to throw out the window. I learned to grin and bare it and convinced myself I was really havin' fun squeezin' fuel, while other big trucks motored on by me.

I felt like I was in the other driver's way. I probably was at times. Not wanting to hold up the Big dawgs, .... when I needed to pass slower vehicles, I paid close attention to my mirrors. If a faster Big truck was gaining on me,--- in the far right lane, the faster truck in the lane to my left, .... I held my position 'till the faster truck completed the pass. If no other Big truck was gaining ground on me, I'd signal and make my 55 mph move.

I considered it a pain in the buttox at the time and figured it was all a waste of time. But if the company was willing to pay for my wasted time, I figured I could play the game, and did.

As it turned out, "playing" the game not only was profitable --- dollar wise, but as I came to discover, it taught me to be a very consistent, and a very smooth driver, withOUT using cruise control.
(I don't like running cruise control)

When legal speed limits were raised to 65 mph, and even 75 mph in places, I really felt slow-pokey.
So, ...... with about five years of 55 mph, and switching to a local gig with the same company, --- which was a mistake for me. I much preferred the open road to local city driving in SoCal traffic and all the grocery warehouses.

Time to move on, ---- which I did. From a cab-over to a W-900 KW. From 315 horse power and a 9-speed, --- to a turned-up four and a quarter (HP) mechanical Cat and a 13-speed, that could run 85 mph, no sweat.

From that beginner truck, I was given a seat in several triple-digit Big trucks.
MaN-0-MaN!!!
Show me the road and open the gate!
Funny thing though, --- I found myself runnin' the speed limits. 'Bout the only time I exceeded the legal limit was to move out into a faster runnin' lane, --- long enough to make a quick pass, then move back over and back out of 'er --- back to the speed limit.

It's a reassuring comfort knowing what's under my right foot, --- if need be and necessary. But it wasn't the tease to appease my desire for more speed that I imagined it would be.
But it was there under my foot if I decided I needed and wanted it, which did happen once, --- in front of a Nevada Highway Patrol. I ran 'er up to a tad over 100 mph and kept that speed for around 25 ---> 35 miles, --- Highway Patrol right behind me.
And when it was all over, and I returned to a legal 65 mph, the officer flew past me.

When I got to where he'd been responding, a mine cave-in with trapped miners within, there was Smokey, leanin' on the roof of his cruiser. As I got closer I figured he'd motion me to pull over, I was gettin' a speedin' citation.
Oh well, I figured. It'd be my first.

But he didn't do as I expected.
Instead, he snapped to attention, .....
and saluted me as I motored by the scene at a much reduced speed.

I tipped my hat and nodded --- and gave a thumbs-up to him in appreciation.
He smiled and shook his head in acknowledgement.
That was a good feeling.
Runnin' a hundred felt pretty good, too.

With over a million mile markers in my back pocket, not one moving citation or DOT preventable mishap occurred, even with a triple-digit Big truck under me.

Others may poke fun at your slowmobile, but don't take 'em too seriously. If they mention you're slower driving, ask 'em in a serious manner, if they might happen to have a chain they could throw you and pull you along faster, --- especially in mountainous areas.
"Come-on you guys!
Just a helping tow for --- oh, say,...
the next hundred miles."

It ain't much fun laughin' at someone who's laughin' at themselves. Laughin' AT --- or laughin' WITH.
Big difference.

Now, .... go have a good time out there.

 

Get a radio.

You’ll want one when the uber driver crashes and flings #### all over the road and you’re looking for the clear lane.