Just A Darker Shade Of Green

Hi all, figured I would introduce myself. I am new to the trucking industry... I spent 20 years in a factory in London, Ontario making truck wheels. I talked to a lot of drivers over the years and it was always something I wanted to do when I was a little kid.... after watching Burt and Jerry outwit Jackie Gleason...lol... I consider myself more the Snowman than the Bandit....lol... well after twenty years I was laid off and things weren't looking good for recall... I took the oppurtunity to go to school and get my license. I am a single dad raising my two teenagers.... down to one now because my son has just joined the Canadian Army... but I needed work and I needed it soon. Also, I wanted to finally do something that I know I would enjoy.... and I was right.
I started out lime green last year.... the school teaches you what the DOT and MTO expect but than there's the real world. I continue to listen to my teachers.... and that's the fellows who have been doing this job for years.... I found that everyone is pretty quick to relate experiences and give me advice. I've made so many new and great friends on the road. That after a year.... I don't think I am a hot shot in a truck but a darker shade of green... that is with great thanks to the guys on the road with helping me to adjust to this new lifestyle....
It's the first job in my life that I can honestly say I love. Mind you I have developed clutch knee... probably partly due to my age...
I use to do auto runs for my company from Canada to Detroit... but have settled for a dedicated mail run so that I can be home at the same time everyday....
When my daughter is off to university, I think I would like to get into long haul.... I've fallen in love with Peterbilts and Western Stars.... not to knock Freightliners.... and Volvos..... they are okay....lol...
Truckers are a diverse and great group of people... I'm proud to be apart of the cult...lol...we understand something that the rest of the world doesn't seem to get.... four wheelers are nuts....lol...
Thanks to all the guys on the road who have helped me learn the industry more and darken my shade.... I hope that by becoming a member with this forum... I will learn even more... I am still confused on how some things operate and I always have a lot of questions. I love to hear people's experiences.... like that Kentucky driver I met in Detroit one time.... take care and I'll be posting.... Ric

 

I think I have seen your truck in my travels on the 401.... if I see ya again I'll make sure to get on the CB and say Hi.... Speaking of the Flying J in London... you know how they were doing that construction on that Highbury overpass.... well.... they should have cut back the median.... they didn't make it truck friendly.... last week there was a mishap between a tractor trailer and a straight truck.... They have a double left lane.... while the trucks were making their turn... the straight truck got pinched by the rear end of the trailer.... fellow should have pictured how a truck takes such a turn.... either way the ministry didn't think that turn out for trucks... so if you are ever in the west lane and decide to get off for the Flying J.... take extra care on your left turn...
I drive for Doug Coleman.... in fact I am leaving in an hour for my morning run... take care and I hope you recover quickly.

 

I'll keep an eye out for you.... do you pass through the area during the day or overnight? I'm running between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m.