Thinking of getting back on the road

I drive for J Rayl Transport. The company is based in Akron but has a number of terminals (I drive out of the Dallas area), including one In Roanoke, Virginia. I’ve been with them for four years and am quite happy with them.

 

You’re correct, we didn’t have gps or any other electronic device other than a CB. But we were able to do the job just as efficiently as drivers today with their electronics they can’t seem to drive without.


We did have center point steering, bias ply tires, and pocket full of quarters to call the receiver from a pay phone before we got there, days gone by….. sadly.

 

You're seriously complaining about being able to use a cell phone and not having to pay quarters into a pay phone to call shippers, receivers and dispatchers?

Well, to each their own I guess. I have to say that I sure do like being able to instantly call people with the click of a button on my cell phone, from the comfort of my (silent) truck, without having to wait on anybody to finish up with the phone.

But maybe I'm just weird like that, who knows.

 

Not complaining at all, just commenting. But I still use a truckers atlas just as I have for nearly 36 years, to each their own….

 

A small dose of common sense goes along way as well—ice fog must suck that right out of folks nowadays

 

Yeah I still use a truckers atlas too. Every driver should. I also believe every driver should use Google Maps satellite view for every new place that they go, that is such an incredible free tool to have at your disposal 24/7. Has helped me out so much and by the way, I use it for truck stops too because some of them have weird layouts with their entrances and exits. They also come in very handy for Walmart's as well.

Also, I would pull my hair out if I had to use a payphone every single day, screw that.

Respect to you guys who had to do this job without modern technology. I wouldn't do OTR without modern technology and I mean that.

 

Try Danny Herman first. Most runs are below I-40 but do have runs above that.
Danny Herman Trucking - Operating Areas

 

Yeah but remember no detention pay! I just dropped in Dallas at 06:00 my pick up is 13:30 ! Wtf I'm supposed to sit for how many hour's? When I worked for Schneider / various companies they never did this crap. My problem with this place is they don't give you a pre plan before you end you current load assignment so you don't have any idea where your going or what time they need you to be there next! I'm ready to leave !!!!!!!

 

You didn't do it just as efficiently. There were no elogs to keep you from running multiple logbooks, thereby enabling you to drive virtually as much as you wanted. Definitely not efficiency. You were doing a job with a sledgehammer that is now done with a scalpel.

 

We did not have these type issues back in the day
https://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/posts/12270587/
They cannot read road signs. They cannot recognize construction barrels. They do not have full control of their vehicle. There were no 450+ lb drivers 30 years ago. Big Joe of Phantom 309 was two hundred ten pounds. 400 lb drivers are now commonplace.

No, you were not complaining. Not at all. But then, you are not 400lbs. You automatically read ALL signs. You have full control of that largecar you drive. 30 years ago, a driver in general was a fairly tough dude. Had to be. Today, it’s actually rare to see anyone that’s tough.