Over the road truckers

[Roger63]

When I was a freshman in law school (1980), my professors pointed out that the the bulk of the case law we would be studying, besides federal cases, would be from the states of New York and California, as this was were new frontiers were carved out, for better or worse. Summer 1981 I started work with a cross country steel carrier I would drive for during weekends, holiday breaks, and summers until graduation. My first trip to California was an eye opener. The inspection infrastructure was a nightmare a rube from Pennsylvania (we didn't even have weigh stations back then) could never have imagined. So none of what goes on today surprises me, and I don't run west of Ohio in my 2000 Peterbilt.

But your missing so much staying back east.

 

[Darter6]

I'm glad in some ways that I don't have to do it anymore.

Yeah, Told the wife (This is how the subject came up ) I don't think I could do it today. It was ok when I was in my 30's.

 

[Slap Stick]

Little, if any, need to question a negative opinion of the california communist republic at this point in time. Carry on boys.

No need? Obviously there is or the question wouldn't have been axed.

 

[Roger63]

Yeah, Told the wife (This is how the subject came up ) I don't think I could do it today. It was ok when I was in my 30's.

I did it for 30 years till life caught up with me. I don't really miss the road but I miss seeing a lot of my customers.

 

[Darter6]

Careful guys if it gets political they will pull this post.
I just wanted a first hand of this subject as I know we have trucker members.

 

[Slap Stick]

Careful guys if it gets political they will pull this post.
I just wanted a first hand of this subject as I know we have trucker members.

And that is why I said to wait for factual info before forming opinions.

 

[Ron H]

I did it for 30 years till life caught up with me. I don't really miss the road but I miss seeing a lot of my customers.

I traveled a lot in my job, good 12 of them countrywide flying, but usually the travel was highway in my car or pickup. During the winter would take my truck having 4WD. Many clients were 200-300 miles away, day trips of 500 miles or staying over for other work when could arrange in the area or along the route. There were some clients that were great, building friendships and trust over many years, and then their retirements came in bigger waves being replaced by the younger gen’s…getting younger as I got older, lol. It became more of a hassle less interesting dealing with the changeovers. With some nice exceptions, could see that these young’uns were not thrilled working with a guy older than their fathers. Now retired, there are few people to miss working with since they’re also retired or departed. Made hanging it up that much easier in my case.

 

[Cranky]

I traveled a lot in my job, good 12 of them countrywide flying, but usually the travel was highway in my car or pickup. During the winter would take my truck having 4WD. Many clients were 200-300 miles away, day trips of 500 miles or staying over for other work when could arrange in the area or along the route. There were some clients that were great, building friendships and trust over many years, and then their retirements came in bigger waves being replaced by the younger gen’s…getting younger as I got older, lol. It became more of a hassle less interesting dealing with the changeovers. With some nice exceptions, could see that these young’uns were not thrilled working with a guy older than their fathers. Now retired, there are few people to miss working with since they’re also retired or departed. Made hanging it up that much easier in my case.

I didn't do any traveling in my job but made a lot of contacts in and out of the refinery and stayed in contact with a lot of people that were still working after I retired. Now that I've been gone for 15+ years, many of them have also retired and moved on....but a lot of them have a FB account (I know, many here hate FB but you all can keep it to yourselves, ok) and we stay in touch and some of us talk on the phone too. Many have moved to other parts of the country but some have their 'youngsters' working there now and some of them stay in contact with us old farts. Sometimes it's kinda sad to see how things are out there nowadays. Saw the trend starting and wondered how far it would go and I'm glad I'm not out there anymore!! There were some guys still out there doing machine work at 70 years old just before I retired and still wonder how they did it for so long!? I still do it in my shop but it's not 8 hours a day or more than a couple of days in a row lol

 

[Ron H]

Been one who gave a lot of credence to those having been around doing things longer than I did especially my dad and dad-in-law, such knowledge and wisdom only gained by the years I appreciated and miss today. But, funny as I recall an old guy once doing similar work I later did, when I was still in my 20’s just a couple years in my professional job. Something didn’t click btw us and think it had to do with his dislike dealing with a young guy, lol. Who knows, I could a turned him off too; but in a machine shop environment having run, setup, and repairing equipment for over 10 years by that time, a few things he was nitpicking about didn’t set right with me. Longer story.

Weird remembering the days as often the younger guy in the bunch then in no time being the older and then oldest! And the kids grow up like lightning fast and laugh when I see irritated parents in the extended family dealing with their toddlers missing those days. Well sometimes. I could be an irritated parent back when too. I just tell ‘em “Before you know it they’ll be leaving you an empty nester.” They’ll look at me like I’m nuts…lol, I say “You’ll believe it and then you won’t someday."

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Just wait a tax for the smoke stacks is on its way.

My sister lived above fishermans warf in San Francisco and there were no charcoal grills allowed in the city limits

 

[Roger63]

Back on subject, the crazy thing about California's emissions laws are that if your entering the state on I80 you can operate a pre emissions truck to the Sacramento County line, or if your entering on I 40 you can go as far as the San Berdino County line (middle of the dessert) If your a farmer you can operate an early truck in the farm belt.

 

[ckessel]

Question for you drivers.
Is it true that if your rig is older than a 2010 you are illegal to drive in the state of California ?

This is one of the main problems down at the port in San Pedro. Lots of containers to haul out, lots of trucks could be had to do it but they are too old. I would imagine the age does not apply as much if they are from south of the border.

 

[Runcharger]

I remember my first trip to Ca. My boss bold me that we could only haul 48' of freight in a 53' trailer because of their length laws. You could pull the 53', you just couldn't haul 53' of freight. Yeah, okay. I made a trip for him just a couple of years ago, tractor was deleted, I questioned it strongly as I figured I would end up in jail or something but he said they have the law but they never check. Disneyland is located in the right spot.

 

[Cranky]

This is one of the main problems down at the port in San Pedro. Lots of containers to haul out, lots of trucks could be had to do it but they are too old. I would imagine the age does not apply as much if they are from south of the border.

Heck, I could do hot shot with my 2500 diesel pickup since it only has 140k miles on it...but...it's a 97! Once they hear the age, it's a huge NO.