What is the difference in today's drivers, and yesterday's drivers?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gunner75, Apr 4, 2014.

  1. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, I wasn't around for the good old days prior to deregulation unfortunately, so I do lack a frame of reference somewhat.

    But I can tell you that professionalism seems to be sorely lacking, at least where I work. It's plainly evident just by the way the inside of some of these trucks look. What is so hard about throwing your trash away ay the end of the day? I've found some with chicken bones on the floor, convenience store bags stuffed who know where that you can only locate once the half-eaten hot dog inside starts making itself known after a week or two.

    Also, pride in ones' work seems to be conspicuous by it's absence around here. We have some that do more work trying get out of work, while the rest of us have to pick up their slack. I trust everyone could empathize with the resulting blood pressure spike when I'm sent 20 miles out of my way for a one-skid pickup when the driver who regularly works that area that is sitting right next door taking a nap or reading the newspaper with only half a trailer load.
     
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  3. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    It was like that in the office in the 90's. I had employees that were as bad. Maybe they were headed to trucking then.
     
  4. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    I know that the last company I drove for set the delivery times so tight on most of the loads that you did not have time to stop and use the rest area.

    The HOS are the main culprit to the demise of the stop and help. That clock does not stop.
     
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  5. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Your opinion sir....I just don't agree...you just made a good point above though....just because the company set those delivery times so tight doesn't have a thing to do with the clock....we all know time doesn't stop....let's use this as an example....the clock is running...you're on your way to make a PU at XYZ....you have 3 hours left on your 14 , and you know it's at least a 1 hour drive from XYZ back to the terminal....in essence you only have 2 hours to get the PU made and head in. You encounter a man on the side of the road waving wildly and motioning for you to stop....you see a woman lying on the grass beside the vehicle obviously in pain. 2 choices here....you ignore the man (citing the reasons that you don't have time because of the ticking clock) , or do you stop to see if you can be of assistance?

    I know this is an extreme example....but , it could happen. I'm stopping clock be dammed...( I really think you would too)...but there are drivers that would just keep going....
     
  6. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    You change the story. Sure, you will stop. I will as well, since I am a paramedic. Some people will not stop because they have no clue as to what to do and others plain do not care. But, since I do not know their schedule or current log status time available, I do not judge them.

    But you see a person on the side of the road with a flat tire. In the past you might have stopped. Now, with the rules and such it is different.

    I am not saying it is all of the time. I am just stating that the majority of the time, it probably is the reason.
     
  7. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Thanks for the clarification....time or the lack of it will sometimes make a difference in the way folks make decisions. But that's always been the case....in at least in my time driving anyway. HOS haven't changed that much since the 70's...we've always been on "the clock"...But attitudes have changed , E-logs can't be manipulated like paper of course , but the human element of the equation plays a much bigger role in this debate....at least IMHO.
     
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  8. peterd

    peterd Medium Load Member

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    A couple of years ago a driver in British Columbia stopped for a scenario like that and was ambushed by another person hiding in the ditch and was almost beat to death and then left to die.Fortunately he was found by an RCMP officer.
     
  9. buno1982

    buno1982 Light Load Member

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    My two cents,,you use to stop on shoulder for x reason and you'd have 20 drivers in five minutes asking if you where ok or needed help not any more,we used to look out for one another now its every men or women for them self ,, personal note I still see that in flat bedding for some reason they tend to help one another out more than box drivers this has been my experience
     
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  10. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Exceptions to every rule and every situation there peterd....but your scenario is the exception ...not the rule in most cases. Way more people get helped than robbed or ambushed....way more.
     
  11. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    Society has changed, truckers are no different than anyone else.

    It's not as recent as some seem to think though.

    I remember a time 20 or more years ago when I was traveling across western Canada in my 4 wheeler one very cold night. It was 30 or so below when I came upon a guy stranded on the side of the road. He and his wife had been there for about 90 minutes if I remember correctly. It may not have been quite that long but they had been there for a while. I have never seen anyone shake so badly from being cold as they were.

    A number of people had driven by but none had stopped even though the guy was out waving his arms. Cell phones were still in their infancy so that was no excuse for people not to stop. Traffic was very light so thinking the next guy would stop was also no excuse. To this day I still can't figure why so many drove by them.

    As for today, I rarely stop. It depends on the circumstance though. If I stopped for every yahoo that pulled onto the shoulder to take a pee or send a text message I'd never get anywhere. Someone slid off in the ditch or in obvious distress of course I stop and check. Someone pulled neatly onto the shoulder, I figure if they need help they'll do something to let you know.
     
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