Trucking in the 90's

In 1968, we moved to the vicinity of Seneca, IL to take a job with TSMT. The phone company wanted a $100 deposit. I asked, "Why? I have good credit." Later, I realized how high my phone bills would be running coast to coast.

 

The best thing about the 90's besides all the previous stuff mentioned......NO TEXT MESSAGING! What in the hell is this obession of buying a phone, and never using it to make a call.

 

Texting, whats that??? Somebody wants my attention, they can dang sure call and talk to me!!!

 

Man I really wish I was around for those days... I'm only 19 and I'm gonna be a first generation trucker. But man do I agree with yall about text messaging. I couldn't tell you how much I hate it. Like I said, I really wish I was around for those days.

 

All I heat is how dangerous drivers use to be and how many accidents there were. I'll bet any amount of money bits like the govt craze about texting and driving. The accident rates are not going up. Most places they are coming down!

In 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 how many trucks were on the road and what was the total accidents and accidents with fatalities.. Anyone have this info. I'll bet like anything else trucks were not having higher accident rates back then either.

 

The only thing I remember about trucking in the 90's is going with my dad when I was about 8 or 9, he had a old cabover but I remember LOVING that truck, i think it's the reason why whenever I see any cabover rolling down the road I admire them, not for comfort lol but back then it wasn't so crazy, I wish I could have drove during that time, I really think I'd enjoy it more, I haven't been driving long, but I know how much things have changed just hearing storys from my dad who still drives, it's hardly a "brother hood" anymore and I think that's too bad. Too many people on the road that think they're better than the next.

 

guys I know that started in the 90s have payed off houses and big health problems...

 

You got that right driver. I still do my part and give out bear reports, breakdowns on the shoulder, traffic stopping ahead, etc. Thing is, not only do I NOT get a report back, I don't even get a "thank you". Most of the time it's dead silence. Nobody uses them anymore, except to tell everyone else that they "got no panties on".

It's pathetic really. Regardless, I have my radio on at all times. Every once in awhile, some good info comes across. Like yesterday for example. There was an accident on I-83 northbound in Harrisburg at the Paxton Street exit. It had 83 backed up clear across the Susquehanna River bridge. I heard the first report just in time to jump off and take the turnpike over to the I-283 exit. I was able to bypass a 30-45 minute delay simply by monitoring my CB.

 

I'm with you on this, I was once shut down in point of rocks, wy due to weather, I80 closed, this was back in 99' if memory serves, there was a guy so out of his mind, he didn't know where he was, you could see the marks on his arms where he's been sticking his needle in, news was reporting they were about to open I80, so I called the highway patrol, and they came out and took this guy away, many got pissed out me saying "you ruined that guys life" I said "no! He ruined his own life, I just kept him from getting back on the road and killing someone, what if you had family here? Would you want your family on the road with this guy?" Some got it, some didn't, but I can sleep at night knowing I did the right thing

 

Um! I started in 87' yes my house is paid for, but? I don't have big health problems