Losing respect from the public

Drivers were paid more $ than average worker back then too. The uniform was a symbol of success and prestige. Trucks were much much harder to drive and the public knew not to mess with a trucker. Most trucks didn’t have locking doors and no one ever thought to mess with the inside of a truck. Because people understood that the goods they needed for their lives were on a truck generally people thought drivers back than were on the higher class end of middle class folks.

 

I didn't see it that way. I was always getting an arm pump, a wave, and from time to time getting 'flashed' . I got a few 4 wheelers giving me the middle finger too, lol! Im like you gotta give respect to get respect. The one place I did see some disrespect now and then was at shippers and recievers from the incompetent security guard or from a dip #### lumper.

 

Yeah, totally oblivious to the fact, if it wasn't for you, THEY'D be out of a job. Nice, huh?

 

Heck, *I* don't respect most truckers I see out here. Why should anyone else?

This industry has a craptastic image due to a lot of factors. Cheap paint carriers, drivers who behave little better than uncultured savages, constant *STUPID* accidents...yeah buddy! Plenty to respect there!

 

It’s a shame that is slowly dissapering. Seems like all the seat covers are to occupied with their phones to flash you anymore. And parents are to scared to let their kids fist and arm pump for a air horn anymore because the sound triggers the autism.

 

well since i am retired, i could care less the general public's opinion of my former profession.

in my earlier years, you (mostly) had to go to a trucking school, and they taught you well. today's CDL Mills, only "help you" to get that CDL, and teaching is just not like it used to be. as mentioned, they "churn out" so-called drivers.

each profession that is "blue collar" as mentioned, is looked down on from high and almighty azzhats, that think their crap outta thier butthole, is ice cream, and does not stink.

there are probably MORE of THOSE people that are drunks, and dopers than the population of truckers.

also, i'd venture to guess that the general public in what ever jobs they have, are even bigger screw ups, than most truckers.

thing is, that when they screw up, it does not make the 11 o'clock news.

as a profession, we (well, i'm retired, so the rest of you) have to EARN that respect each and everyday. you are only AS GOOD as your last run.

i do not fore-see any future of highly respected truckers, as many still toss those pee-bottles, drop bags of crap in parking lots, ride side-by-side with another truck in trying to pass, and tear up sidewalks, lawns and maybe parked cars, by NOT making a proper right turn.

in fact, there is a cement cinder block company near me. they HAD thier own drivers, now they don't, they sub-contract that out now to a fleet.

let me tell you what i have seen for ALL those drivers...

being in the left lane, to make a right turn, INSTEAD OF doing a "button hook"...

when i see THAT on a daily basis, (as i am ALWAYS in that area when they leave the plant) how in good God's name, can i respect an azzhat driver, that cannot do a proper right turn..???

frankly, with all that I SEE DAILY, in my happily retired life daily travels, i too have NO RESPECT for steering wheel holders, as i fully imagine, the professionals are all retired.

i think it BEST for what ever pro drivers ARE still out there..??

RETIRE, BEFORE ALL THOSE AZZHATS CAUSE MORE RESTRICTIONS, LAWS AND RULES, that'll make your life even MORE MISERABLE, than what it is now.

SORRY, didn't mean to be as long as another poster is/was/had been

 

Ive thought that for quite awhile now. As soon as you get close to a big city people are aggressive and hot headed. A lot of people stressed out.

 

People don't respect anybody at all. It isn't just truckers. To be honest, I could care less if people revered me for my profession. I'm just making a living like everyone else. I cant understand why folks want glorification for going to work.

 

It went downhill after the 2nd Smokey and the Bandit.......

 

You ever notice how you can be the only one on a road at 5:30 in the morning and a car will come out of a neighborhood street and do something agressive around you? Or even how that early in the morning people are still acting like they are pissed off at the world. They go to bed angry and they wake up angry. It used to be the drunks, druggies, or mentally ill people like that. Now it seems more and more of the whole population is going that way.