Comments By Navypoppop

Daniel B.,

It's quite alright to stick out your chest and smile. You have surely earned every right to do that.

Your contributions here on TT are just an example of your dedication to the industry and this award just helps to certify your commitment.

Congratulations and enjoy your well earned award.

I wish to take this moment to wish everyone here on TT a very Happy Thanksgiving. I have had the great pleasure of reading some of the best advice to newbies and the old timers too.

I hope that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy home time with family and friends during this festive holiday if they choose. Being retired I am able to enjoy the holidays with my wife of 44 years. Our son and daughter live too far away to visit so that is why we travel in the 5th wheel in the summer to visit with them.

I can remember when I drove, the times when I spent many holidays parked in a Pure, 76, TA or Petro and couldn't make it home. I did enjoy the sit down restaurants and the free dinners to drivers. Again drivers be safe and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

I ran mostly dry vans and reefers during my career and never had a break in or an attempt. I almost always parked in truck stops, under a light, either backed up to a light pole or another trailer very carefully and used a good padlock.

When in the cab I locked the doors, used vent window locks, bungee cords across both inner door handles and I carried both a can of wasp spray and a police baton filled with lead as a last resort. Thank God I never had to use them.

I have driven OTR in 42 of the 48 continental states and in some bad cities like NY, Detroit, Chicago, LA, Atlanta, etc. and never had any issues. A heavy duty padlock on the trailer doors, a "club" steering wheel lock and rubber bungees across the cab interior door handles and a "billie club" drilled and lead filled if needed were what I used as deterrents and thank God I never had any problems from 1969-2011 during my driving years. Today seems a lot less desirable than when I drove.

I started driving in 1969 and retired in 2011 and I saw many up and down periods over those years. The oil embargos, work shortages, O/O and Teamster strikes all played hell with the economy at that time but it always rebounded. I'm sure that it will come back strong eventually but no one knows how soon with all the uncertainties around the world and here at home. I can't relate to some of the problems a lot of drivers are having being as I am retired with Social Security and a 401K as long as our government doesn't fall off the face of the earth and funding stops.

Steve L.,

Sorry to read that you have moved on. Times are tough right now but there has been ups and downs in trucking for as long as I can remember.

The recession and fuel shortages back in the 70's caused me a couple of jobs but I was able to find another job and even some part time work to supplement the lean times.

Good luck in whatever you do and don't be a stranger here at TT.

Big Scott,

It is a pleasure to read your new journey. I of course had the pleasure of meeting you in person at the Loves in Wytheville, VA. with my wife while we were rving a couple of years ago.

Your positive attitude is why you will be successful in this new adventure. It really seems like this is a good fit for you. Have fun and be safe around those locomotives.

The conversation about auto or manual is like pay by hours or miles. They are different and each has it's advantages and preferences.

It's like your personal 4 wheeler. Almost all are auto except for certain sports or hi performance cars.

The main problem is the restriction placed on your driver's license. You do not need one to operate any other vehicle except a semi. If you remove the existing restrictions for operating an auto in a semi the problem is solved.

It's easy to learn how to shift a manual like all of us old "dinosaurs" did.

Smart PJ,

I agree 100% so my daughter in Maryland doesn't see us until spring thru autumn. No more driving north during the winter.

It looks like someone got sick and upchucked their dinner.