Proper Driver Attire For The Trucking Industry

I remember in the late 70s, I got razzed for wearing tennis shoes while trucking, and not cowboy boots with spurs. Back in the 50s, truck drivers were more revered than police officers. A truck driver may have been your only chance at being saved. Uniforms clearly showed the difference between a responsible company driver, and a fly by night hooligan, well into the 80s. Not that I was looking for the attention, but when I wore a uniform, I noticed a big difference in the way people treated me. That came and went, and I wonder if there was a call today like what our parents went through, if anybody would even show up.

 

I was never around back then, not even close, but watching videos of the 1950s, society at large just seemed much more competent, serious, put together better. It's not just the industry, it was everyone, at least that's what it seems like.

Look at any picture or video of 1950s cities and they all look like this. People dressed nicely, no trash, graffiti, street vending, etc. I think if you were a truck driver or any other profession in a society like this you would feel immense social pressure to wear an appropriate uniform and look your best.

 

I think that’s partly why society has lost all respect. All you have to do is go to Walmart after church when you’re all dressed up and people treat you with a lot more respect than when I stop in after working on something in blue jeans and t shirt all dirty. If everyone was dressed up nice it would be totally different.

Edit edit: This does not apparently apply to politicians. All the nice clothes in the world doesn’t seem to help them.

 

Another reason may be because there aren't people like my old man that told them they look ridiculous,,

 

I don't see a farmer, mechanic, miner, logger, cowboy, or even a truck driver in that pic. Do flatbed guys get looked down on cause their filthy from loading in a sand lot with 40 mph winds, or bull haulers covered in cow ####?

Yeah, pride as a whole has gone down. But, I get dirty at work, I sweat my ### off, I work my ### off, and then I drive my ### off.

I'm wearing shorts, a t shirt, and tennis shoes to drive.

 

Respect to the old-school crews and vets! Your dad’s generation knew what hard work and pride looked like. WWII, tankers, long hauls out of LA, that was a whole different world. Hats off, seriously.

As for the flip-flop crew at the truckstop, I get the frustration. I would keep it polite too, but sometimes you just have to shake your head and keep rolling.

Size 13 or not, it is better to leave the drama out of the parking lot.

 

The newbies just call having to do something besides look at their phone hard work and then file a complaint with the United Nations.

 

My godfather worked for Pacific Mountain Express (P.I.E) out of Denver, driving those old twin-steer drom-box bullnoses over the Rockies to switch with a Southern California driver at the transfer point somewhere near Green River, Utah. This meant hanging iron 3 or 4 times a day in the snow. He dressed wearing a company zip-up jacket, uniform shirts, pants, hat, and tie. Every day.

 

I'm not old enough to know any better, wasn't born until '81.

Wearing a tie while a truck driver? I can't imagine. I've seen pictures of such things, and been to a few antique truck shows and can imagine what it was like in the 50's and 60's. But I can't wrap my head around the tie thing.