OLD TIMERS

[LadyTrucker]

Some driver says, "I've been out here 35 years and…" You'll be impressed, I mean really, 35 YEARS? Even 20 years is a heck of a long time. When you're only on month 2, anyone with one year can seem pretty impressive!



You can learn a great deal from Old Timers. They've seen the industry grow and change and they've managed to grow and change with it. Some love to talk about how it used to be - and if you're smart - you'll listen. Notice I didn't say you'll necessarily believe everything you're told! But it will do you well to listen. Learn about where the industry came from and the battles that have been fought. You'll be able to pick up little "tricks of the trade" from these Old Timers that will amaze you.



Beware, some Old Timers really dislike the new blood entering the industry. Way back when, a driver typically learned to drive with dad or brother. Dad or brother passed on a great deal of practical information as well as common courtesies and respect for his fellow driver. In this day and age, though, the truck driving schools are doing the training. Insurance companies have more or less demanded that it is this way.



There are some big benefits - people are usually taught the safe way to do things - not just the fastest. They're taught the proper way of doing a logbook, not "creative logbook 101". On the other hand, the spirit of trucking is not passed along in the same dimension that it used to be. That's just not the job of the school. A school can't really pass along a respect or feeling in the same way. As a result, you're seeing the old traditions slowly dying as they cease to be passed along. Old timers strongly resent this, understandably, but sometimes criticize the "newbies" for these things - when in all truth, it's nothing the "newbie" has any power over. The only hope for the passing along of the traditions is in the Driver/Trainer. If your Driver/Trainer is an Old Timer, don't resent him for all his stories of yesterday!!



Learn everything you can from him!!!!! (or her!!!)

[Uturn2001]

There is a lot of valuable information floating around out there from people of all skill levels. Ir is wise to really listen and then judge the information on its own merits.

What really gets me though is all of the "new breed" bashing. The old timers want to blame the schools and the carrier training programs but very few of them want to do anything to truly help the situation. Also if you stop and think about it where did many of these "bad" habits come from. They are often passed down from the old time drivers in one fashion or another.

Also a lot of the old time drivers like to blame the overall state of the industry on the "new breed", but lets face facts. The downhill slide started more than 20 years ago and nothing was done then to slow or stop it, but somehow it is the fault of those who were, more often than not, still in school or even just getting out of diapers.

A lot of the "problems" such as the lack of courtesies have little to do with training and have its root cause firmly embedded in society. For far too long people in general have been gravitating to a me first attitude coupled with the conception of having to take little or any personal responsibility for their actions or themselves.

Ladytrucker, please do not think I am bashing your post in any way. I do agree totally with the premise that those who have been around the block can impart a lot of information, but as you already indicated, listener beware.

[LSMR]

[

A lot of the "problems" such as the lack of courtesies have little to do with training and have its root cause firmly embedded in society. For far too long people in general have been gravitating to a me first attitude coupled with the conception of having to take little or any personal responsibility for their actions or themselves.

You're absolutely right on this Uturn2001.Can't think of anything else to add to your statement.

[Timothy J. Begle]

Can this “OLD TIMER” of about 27 or 28 years of trucking say something?

I am not old!
:harhar:

I started driving when I was 19. Worked in a truck shop, ran a wrecker, and shuttled trailers all through High School. And I grew up on a farm, and drove farm trucks before I could see over the dash.
I did get out when I was 27 for about 6 months to play salesman.
I have played DJ on a Country and religious radio station part time on the weekends over the years. Ran a church youth group, and even preached a little. Helped do radio fundraisers. And played part-time LEO about 4 times over the years. (Plus, when my dad and brothers find me, they still make me play farmer.)

I said all that above to say this.
Most of the younger generation that ‘claim’ they want help, actually want you to do it for them. Most actually only listen to what they want to hear. Common sense is more important then learning. And trucking has to be in your blood to make it look as easy as we so-called old timers make it look!

Additionally, the older you get and the longer you drive the more idiotic green horn drivers look to us. It’s all no big deal. Cop going North, cop in the middle, cop in the scale house, CB fights, CB radio on or CB radio off, and shippers & receivers with a bad attitude, it’s all really no big deal. So get over it if I don’t get excited about the latest Smokey bear report because I really aren’t concerned about them.
I see cops as one of the tools of trucking that help make my job easier, and not the enemy.

That being said; I hate crooked cops more then you can know. I also hate crooked truck drivers!

Another thing, most drivers tell war stories (about cops, DOT, bad shippers and receivers, and bad trucking companies) just so they can fit in with what they think the group wants! Let me add, we old timers NEVER believe you young bucks bullshiit stories!
WHY?
We were young once and told them ourselves! (You aren’t going to bullshiit and old bullshiitter!)
I for one outgrew my bullshiit story telling the first year I drove, some drivers it takes many years, others NEVER! Just because I smile and listen doesn’t mean I believe your story when I see you in person, I am just being polite!


Now do any of you want to hear my advice? :ninja:

COPS: They are human; they have the same wants, needs, and egos as we do. Most really like truckers, and they really don’t like writing tickets if they don’t have to. So shut your mouth and don’t give them a reason to have too! I have nice’d’ my way out of several tickets over the years. I have also received tickets I fought and won. (Yes I had my hotrod days many years ago) DON’T mouth off to the cop about what you’re going to do with his ticket!
Just smile and be the professional you are!
Mouthing off will cause the cop to remember you, write down everything you said and did, memorize everything that lead up to the stop, and he’ll save what he recorded! (Many cops record what’s said to him by you, and as long as he doesn’t play it back in court he can get away with not telling you that you’re being recorded!)
Also, cops love to play their friends the dumb things violators say. (A friend of mine still has a tape of a well know ‘respected’ woman of the community telling him how many different ways she was going to give him a blowjob if he didn’t lock her up for a DWI!)
:yikes:


SHIPPERS & RECEIVERS: They are human just like you.
If you treat them with all do respect they will respect you. You must remember they deal with buttholes all day and you’re just another in the long line of buttholes! They lie because EVERY dispatcher in the world has lied to them and so have most truck drivers. Plus you must remember they are king of their warehouse. The sooner you get that through your head the sooner you will grow up!

Also, people are people. They have the same wants, needs, problems, and fears as you. It never hurts to listen to people such and the shipper & receivers, and warehouse personal. Understanding (or at least acting as like you do) what their life is like will make you friends with them, and friends help friends. Let me add, that is something I can do naturally, so I don’t know how to tell you to fake it! And we who deal with people muchly can smell a fake a mile away. So grow up and realize you’d better learn to like people or you will sit MUCH HOURS AT DOCKS BECAUSE YOU TRIED TO FAKE IT!
:wtf:

Let me add there are times YOU MUST.. well may need to rip some shipper or receiver a new butthole! It take years to know when and how. Some of my best friends in the furniture business are people who pushed and pushed me until I lit back at them. There are times you must stand and push back, if you don’t know how and when DON’T!

PEOPLE: People skills are much more important then driving skills. Can’t handle people get the heck out of trucking!

WIVES: Be the best lover there is, learning all their love buttons, sending them gifts and flowers, calling them much will make a woman loyal to you.
Home times mean NOTHING if you're just a flippin drunk and are only worried about how well she can service your tally-whacker! I know many people who are home every night and have wives that are so lonely!

Well I have a camper to hookup, and a hot wife who took off work, and no kids, you do the math! :lover:

Later

[Big_Al]

Well I have a camper to hookup, and a hot wife who took off work, and no kids, you do the math! :lover:

Later

Whose wife is it? :rofl: :rofl:

[truckermanitoba]

I have only been driving for two months but in the last two months anytime i have pulled over to the side of the road,any big truck has asked if everything is ok.Exept for a driver from my own compony, he never stopped,i had a blown trailer tire.His truck now is set at 62mph lol.Anytime i have asked for help i have got it.most time just checking if my directions are right.

[Admin]

TIM THAT WAS A VERY NICE ARTICLE :clap: :clap:

[Timothy J. Begle]

Whose wife is it? :rofl: :rofl:

[[[[[[[[FINGER!]]]]]]]]]]

nothing personal Al!
:harhar: :harhar: :harhar: :harhar:

[Timothy J. Begle]

I have only been driving for two months but in the last two months anytime i have pulled over to the side of the road,any big truck has asked if everything is ok.Exept for a driver from my own compony, he never stopped,i had a blown trailer tire.His truck now is set at 62mph lol.Anytime i have asked for help i have got it.most time just checking if my directions are right.

Drivers ARE nicer and more helpful they we want to believe.
:D :D

[Timothy J. Begle]

TIM THAT WAS A VERY NICE ARTICLE :clap: :clap:

You're welcome!

:deal: :youaremymaster: :whistling: :whistling:

[FastFossil]

I just received my CDL-A yesterday and want to warn all you experienced guys to be on the look out...LOL

This is a 'new' career for me, I'm 64 years old and am looking forward to being the kind of truck driver I remember as a kid....

I think Timothy's article is right on, I'm a people person and guess what, people make the world go around and not trucks!!!!! I also believe that 18 wheelers and 4 wheelers have to co-exist and I'll kill them with kindness and courtesy and maybe reform one or two along the way.....I know that a lot of you guys that have been trucking for a number of years may think I'm nieve and I might be....but my attitude going out will be positive and like Rodney King said "can't we all just get along"......

Keep those tips coming.....

:) :)

[LadyTrucker]

Tim, I want to take this opportunity to commend you for the excellent posting.
This is a site asking for advice for everyone and everything in trucking.
I have been one of your dedicated readers of your articles and will continue to do so. Keep up the good work.

[Big_Dave]

Good post Tim! :cheers:

One question though...........
Well I have a camper to hookup, and a hot wife who took off work, and no kids, you do the math!
Not the local Chrome Shop again? :yikes: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Timothy J. Begle]

One question though...........
Well I have a camper to hookup, and a hot wife who took off work, and no kids, you do the math!
Not the local Chrome Shop again? :yikes: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:


:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

:harhar: :harhar: :harhar:

No kids at home ... you do the math! :drool: :drool: :kisses:

Camper is now hooked momma is making lunch now.
Spot is picked out (6 miles down the road :harhar: )

Now it's lunch and down the road.

Will have laptop, will check in, yes I have a problem! :noclue: :whistling:

[Timothy J. Begle]

Tim, I want to take this opportunity to commend you for the excellent posting.
This is a site asking for advice for everyone and everything in trucking.
I have been one of your dedicated readers of your articles and will continue to do so. Keep up the good work.

Thank you!
See I do listen at times. :D

[Timothy J. Begle]

This is a 'new' career for me, I'm 64 years old and am looking forward to being the kind of truck driver I remember as a kid....

YIKES! A new older guy! :cheers:

[Mr. McFeely]

I have played DJ on a Country and religious radio station You, too? I worked in radio and television on and off for many years, with a stint at a religious AM-FM combo. Also played the hits at Top Gun Country back before rock infiltrated the sound. Isn't broadcasting fun! :cheers:

most drivers tell war stories... just so they can fit in with what they think the group wants!So that's the reason. I'm a relative newbie (2 yrs.), and I spotted those yarns right off the bat. I've never believed them. :wacko: :)

[Timothy J. Begle]

You, too? I worked in radio and television on and off for many years, with a stint at a religious AM-FM combo. Also played the hits at Top Gun Country back before rock infiltrated the sound. Isn't broadcasting fun! :cheers:

I was the poor devil who ran the board when the big boys were broadcasting from the ball games on Friday and Saturdays. After the game was over, I played what I liked until we switched over to an outside feed (That woman with all the lovey slurpy talk). :zzz:

Religious; I helped raise money. We did a few all nighters. I also helped start two stations, was even the manager of one while we raised the funds to build it.




So that's the reason. I'm a relative newbie (2 yrs.), and I spotted those yarns right off the bat. I've never believed them. :wacko: :)
One of the reasons I can't listen to the CB in a truckstop or sit at the lunch counter. Liars have no idea how stupid they sound to those who have been around the track a few times. :wacko:

[Pipester]

Good post Tim.

Now we know where the preaching part comes from.


:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Capt._Chaos]

I do what I can to help out new drivers, as I had to earn on my own. I never attended a truck driving school, so I know hw hard it can be at times.

I got my start in the trucking industry as a mechanic while I was a teenager, and am grateful for that. I have driven well over 1 million miles since I started driving full-time just over 10 years ago, and have driven in each of the 48 states (except Vermont). Even after all those miles & all those years, I still find myself learning more & more every day.

I've always felt that, as a veteran of the road, I can always make a difference for many of the younger drivers I interact with that are willing to learn. Whether it's helping a Werner newbie on the C.B. learn how to drive in the snow on I-80 in Wyoming during the winter, or explaining the importance of proper tire presures to a Schneider driver during his first summer on the road, I feel good if I even help out just one driver a day. :)