Thoughts on truck drivers

Regarding this on the interstate, when passing I will occasionally cut trucks a little short to keep the asshole behind me from cutting into the right lane to go around me if I were to try and leave a safer distance. Because then it becomes him and the next million assholes not letting me back into my proper lane. Then they want to bitch about slower traffic in the left lane.

So I do apologize for that. I'm serious in one of my previous posts, hats off to you guys and gals, I'd be in jail for smashing some idiot before the end of my first day.

 

My statement was from the reality that I cannot change what others are doing, or how fast they are driving. So knowing that the vast majority of drivers exceed the speed limit, some by a wide margin, one person's decision to drive LESS than the speed limit increases the difference in velocities. And the slower that person is driving, the greater the increase in danger due to that velocity difference. I drive the speed limit and stay in the right lane except to pass. That's the decision I make.

There are some places where speeding is so prevalent that driving the speed limit is EXTREMELY dangerous. Atlanta interstates are one such place. I-240 in Memphis is another.

 

I do despise people who drive below the speed limit when there's no good reason to (such as bad weather).

 

I’d be happy if people would just move over, or better yet, not pull out in front of my big red or white truck ( we’re changing from red to white engines; it’s a Chief thing) with all the pretty lights flashing and noise makers screaming. Both of these happen way too often.

 

Canada, route 1 between Vancouver and Penticton.

Paki truck driver's......

That's all I got.

 

Good chunk of that is the 604 area code. Just sayin'....

 

It was back in the late 90's.

604?

 

The area code part of phone numbers in the asshole of Canada, I mean the Lower Wasteland, I mean the southwestern corner of BC.

 

I was done with this thread but you pulled me back in.
I'd just like to thank you Joel, you have me figured out.

My directness and dark sense of humor seem to offend some on the forum and they tend to take it too personally.
I'm too old to be PC, but the kids don't seem to get it.
We as men sometimes bust each other's balls, there's a great thread here that describes just that.
It's what men do with their friends, that seems to be a lost art on social media.
Everyone is wanting to be butthurt or offended these days.

As to the topic:
I've driven professionally for the same company for 37 years.
I have 32 years of safe driving and I have driven over 3 million miles for the company since 1986
Does that make me better than any of you?
No, it does not, but in those years things have changed monumentally on the road.
Cell phones, inattention to driving, the need to see that next social media notification.
Years ago it was rare to see a highway sign or guardrail run over, now it's an everyday occurrence.

I did 9 years doing what @biebs96 does for a living.
Let me tell y'all, he works his ass off EVERY day, don't let him diminish it.

The other 28 years driving semis in 4 states, but always at home every night..
I've seen my share of onroad bullshit on a daily basis from 4-wheelers and truck drivers alike.
Even today a few truck drivers were getting on my nerves; pass me and slow down, I'd pass them again and they'd slow down..
I took the next exit, sat on the ramp shoulder for a few minutes, and let them get on down the road.

A lot of this stuff is common sense, another thing that is seriously lacking on the roads (and in the world) today..
If you don't like what you see on the road at a given moment, hit the next exit and give it a few minutes.

Be safe everyone, don't be in such a hurry.

https://youtu.be/Vr772IVp9ys

 

@toxic prick won me over a long while back. I'm on his team.

 

Don't worry, the zone of bad drivers extends East from there all the way to Calgary and maybe beyond.

 

and south all the way to Chula Vista.

 

Somewhat on point. I am a Master Sub Tech and have worked in utilities for 21 years. I have had a CDL since 2003. My previous utility required it mainly to drive smaller boom trucks with a trailer that may exceed 26001 pounds.
My boss at my new utility is/was trying to force 4 guys that have similar backgrounds to drive a semi/trailer over mountain passes occasionally. None of us have ever driven a tractor trailer much less in the mountains. This would only be a couple times a year.
Long story shorter. I fought him on this for three reasons.
1. My lack of experience and confidence.
2. My concerns for the public sharing the same roads as the 4 guys being pushed to do this.
3. Looking out for the companies best interests.

Now I am being retaliated against by this boss because he’s a bitch that didn’t get his own way. But, that’s entirely different story.

Driving a big

My daughter was almost hit going through a cross walk in downtown Castle Rock with bright yellow lights flashing last night. This is a 20MPH zone in a small town area. You’re right. People do not pay attention.
Road cyclists, and they are plentiful in CO are the craziest bunch of them all IMO. Talk about a death wish.

 

10-4... Roger that!

 

All good

 

I will say of the times people probably thought I texting or falling asleep because I may have got a little swervy, I was probably reaching for food lmao

 

My advice is not to look in your mirrors.
Don't dwell on the past.

 

My biggest complaint of all folks on the roads is the number of passenger vehicles driving around with very obvious low tire pressure on at least 1 corner. Low tire pressure is dangerous! Tires flex too much, get hot, and blowout. At least eyeball when you walk toward your parked vehicle or get fuel. 2nd is the number of passenger vehicles driving around in the dark or near dark with no headlights on because vehicles nowadays always have dash lights on and it makes a bunch of people forget to hit the switch. Again, very dangerous, kinda like the number of people who walk around the neighborhood on the road at night in dark clothing when there are sidewalks within less than 5 feet. WTF!!

 

Sometimes I'll pull up to work and there is a Semi backed up to one of our loading docks. 5 am. Blocking where we park. Some employees bitch. I explain that the semi drivers have to find a spot to crash. Every mile they drive is monitored. You truckers know what I'm talking about. They usually leave not long after the Sun comes up. Doesn't bother me. Truckers and railroaders deliver everything we use after it gets unloaded from the cargo ships. Snowflakes don't understand this "supply chain" concept. Heh...

 

My 2 cents on this thread. Without truckers this Country would come to a grinding halt, we should thank them and appreciate all they do for us each and every day. That being said, when driving on the same roads with them, I try to not get behind or near the bastards as they always drop or kick shit up that hits my beautiful truck.

 

It's a changing world that we live in. Roads are over crowded and people rarely pay attention to what they are doing. Remember the law of the jungle that only the biggest and the strongest survive. If you get crossways with a loaded 18 you will figure out that you're not the top of the food chain.

 

Each individual trucker has his/hers own set of problems. IMHO most of their problems are self inflicted. Over sleeping,gambling,drinking, so on and so forth. These are the idiots you're encountering on the highway. Poor time management period.
Not all truckers operate this way. Lots of good guys out here too! Every category in the workforce has their share of bad apples. My advice is, if you think you've encountered a bad apple steer clear of them and be on your way safely.



Trucking is like any other job. You get out of it what you put into it. Years ago I was involved in the same rat race some of these truckers are in. Electronic logging devices didnt help much either. It really exposed the weaknesses of drivers time management skills. I got 70 hours of on duty/driving time. That 70 hours is my pot of gold. I dont rush anything and still make a great paycheck. Most companys out here dont pay anything when the tires stop rolling. Thats a huge problem. Traffic jams or construction delays puts forth alot of anxiety on the drivers. Delays at the shippers is another killer.

My advice to the younger truckers, strive to seek better pastures.
I run for a private fleet in 48 states. 95% of what I haul is from my company location to another company location.Most of what I haul to my company locations is for medical use but not limted to. 5% of what I haul I consider an honor. I haul into places like NASA,SpaceX and Dept of Defense. Back in 2021 I got involved in the Macy's Day Parade. All good times!

Bottom line is the bad side of trucking does not outweigh the good side. Ill drop a photo bomb of my experiences here. For all you other truckers on this thread ill invite you to do the same.
4 wheelers/18 wheelers be safe out there!

 

Great photo diary Gino! I always pictured you as older. Looks like you're taking care of yourself while on the road.

 

Thank you!
Lmao
I have plenty of pictures.

 

Thanks Kelly! Other than tired Im in great health. Im a whopping 49 but I keep active.

 

Please tell me that you took a hit of the helium during the delivery so you sounded like Alvin when they were signing for it.

Cool pics - thanks for sharing.

 

Thank you! Ive played around with the Alvin voice lots of times! I try to be happy while working. I spend alot of time out here.
Glad you liked the photos.

 

This just set the new record for most pics in a single post.