Serious as a heart attack

I want to thank all the drivers who responded to this post. I've decided to take the job I was asking about and see what happens. I'm not getting any younger and the years of running myself like a dog are taking their toll. Even an old dog has to learn some new tricks every now and then, I guess it's my turn to "roll over", probably not the best analogy for a truck driver but you get the point.

As someone who has been doing this for what seems to be a very long time, back before truck schools and 10 hour mandatory breaks, I have not been looking forward to this day. Being totally honest, I've never concerned myself one iota with legalities when it comes to our chosen profession. My priorities have always been;
A. Getting home safe to my children.
B. Maximizing my earnings.

There is no C., because on time delivery, customer service, and safety issues are all well covered under A. and B. I've worked for some great companies, but it's been crystal clear that even the best companies were only using me to raise their bottom line. I've been more than happy to return the favor over the years. I never stole from nobody, never abused anyones equipment, always turned in an acceptable log at the end of the week, and if it were humanly possibly delivered my freight, and a whole lot of others guys freight, ON TIME, and I might add that I never needed any dope to do it. I'm proud of these facts, but I guess guys like me are going the way of the dinosaur. As Bob said, "times they are a changin'".

When I entered this industry over 20 years ago, I determined that no log book, no dispatcher, no bureaucrat, no politician and no thieving DOT scumbag or Hi-way Patrolman was going to come between me and objectives A. and B. If that makes me an outlaw then so be it. There was a time when it simply made you a truck driver.

When log book violations became too expensive to easily dismiss as the price of doing business, I didn't change the way I did business, I upped my game. Faster trucks and sharper pencils has been my motto for about as long I've been a driver. Circadian rhythms, sleep cycles and the like have never applied to me. My body adjusted to a lack of sleep years ago, even after 36 hours of straight driving (which I've done more times than I care to count) six hours on the pillow is usually more than sufficient to have me ready and rested, most of the time five hours is just right, anymore than that and I'm tired and my back hurts. There is nothing I hate more than sitting around on the side of the road waiting out a break, it wears me out.

I swore this day would never come but here it is, with more than a few reservations, I'm going to give this running legal business a shot. So wish me luck, or... you could point me in the direction of one of the few rebel outfits still left in this business, old habits do indeed die hard. ; )

 

From one dinosaur to another, your well wishes mean a lot. Thanks.