Comments on: Comradery – Where is it? http://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/gbabiesgma/2009/04/comradery-where-is-it Helping Those Who Are Considering A Career In The Truck Driving Industry Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:54:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Funky Fred from Fargo http://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/gbabiesgma/2009/04/comradery-where-is-it/comment-page-1#comment-860 Funky Fred from Fargo Sat, 02 May 2009 16:22:30 +0000 http://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/?p=1370#comment-860 Oh Karen, yes, times have changed. In 1976, when I started in trucking, drivers actually wore Cowboy boots/work boots and long pants. Trucking courtesy was prevailent. Somewhere along the line, ever so slowly, a new generation has showed up. We now see tennis shoes, short pants, complete families including 3 large dogs climbing out of a condo, very little courtesy and etiquette. Pajama bottoms and flip flops are way too common in the fuel line. I was amazed to see one of my fellow flatbedders wearing flip flops while tying down a load and was still wearing them 3 days and 1600 miles later at the consignee, which was a construction site. As far as "cliques" go, it is normal to wait until you get to know the other person before you befriend them. Over the years, I've jumped in on a conversation and was sorry, because, the stranger was some type of weirdo and then I was stuck listening to him/her for 2 hours. I really want to stop and help a disabled trucker, but I am not a mechanic and just carry basic tools. Plus, I am normally running so tight, that even 15 minutes will disrupt my schedule. And with XM/Serius radio, who needs a bunch of %#@&* over the C/B? But every so often, I run into a youngster with his head on straight and it seems to make up for all the misfits amongst us. FFfF Oh Karen, yes, times have changed. In 1976, when I started in trucking, drivers actually wore Cowboy boots/work boots and long pants. Trucking courtesy was prevailent. Somewhere along the line, ever so slowly, a new generation has showed up. We now see tennis shoes, short pants, complete families including 3 large dogs climbing out of a condo, very little courtesy and etiquette. Pajama bottoms and flip flops are way too common in the fuel line. I was amazed to see one of my fellow flatbedders wearing flip flops while tying down a load and was still wearing them 3 days and 1600 miles later at the consignee, which was a construction site.

As far as “cliques” go, it is normal to wait until you get to know the other person before you befriend them. Over the years, I’ve jumped in on a conversation and was sorry, because, the stranger was some type of weirdo and then I was stuck listening to him/her for 2 hours.

I really want to stop and help a disabled trucker, but I am not a mechanic and just carry basic tools. Plus, I am normally running so tight, that even 15 minutes will disrupt my schedule. And with XM/Serius radio, who needs a bunch of %#@&* over the C/B? But every so often, I run into a youngster with his head on straight and it seems to make up for all the misfits amongst us. FFfF

]]> By: Farmer Bob http://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/gbabiesgma/2009/04/comradery-where-is-it/comment-page-1#comment-853 Farmer Bob Fri, 01 May 2009 00:20:43 +0000 http://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/?p=1370#comment-853 Wow Karen, you hit the nail on the head. I was going to write about the same thing myself, but didn't. To go along with the lack of comradery I've noticed that it is a small minority of drivers that will flash their headlights when it's safe to pull in front of them while passing. An even smaller number acknowledge you when you flash your lights. I guess that truck driving being the last place to be an American cowboy is slowly dying. To bad, but I guess it is a sign of the changing times. Wow Karen, you hit the nail on the head. I was going to write about the same thing myself, but didn’t. To go along with the lack of comradery I’ve noticed that it is a small minority of drivers that will flash their headlights when it’s safe to pull in front of them while passing. An even smaller number acknowledge you when you flash your lights. I guess that truck driving being the last place to be an American cowboy is slowly dying. To bad, but I guess it is a sign of the changing times.

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