Am I the only one???

• Am I the only one??? by Tom McGarry. on 27 Apr, 2008 12:02
• Hey my fellow Sly brothers, I was just curious if there are any other Sly truckers out ther, or as I refer to myself Professional Commodities Re-Location Expert, or Professional Highway Navigational Engineer?
  
  Or do you like big trucks (18 Wheelers), but have never driven one, or been inside one? What do you think of the trucking industry?
  
  As many of you know, I love my job as a Professional Truck Driver, and even I admit that there are alot of other truck drivers on the road today, that shouldn't even have a drivers licence. They tend to use their size to intimadate people in smaller vehicles to get out of their way, but trust me they are NOT the majoraty. Most of the men and women behind the wheel of a big rig are indeed professionals, and there is alot more to our job than just sitting behind the wheel and driving.
  
  My favorite saying in this industry is " You'd Be Naked, Homeless,& Hungry if it weren't for Truck Drivers!!"
  
  So what do you guys think?
• #1 by warhawk on 27 Apr, 2008 12:05
• hey tom:  i love hearing the sounds of the horn on a big 18 wheeler.   however... i've never been in one b4.  if U happen 2 attend the chicago convention... U need 2 bring the rig so we can check it out.
  
  WARHAWK
• #2 by Nick912 on 27 Apr, 2008 12:06
• I think Diesel prices have to be real hard on the trucking industry right now. But I have a huge respect for truckers
• #3 by Tom McGarry. on 27 Apr, 2008 12:20
• Yes the fuel prices are realy takeing a tool on our industry. There are alot of independant owner operators out there that are really hurting right now. Asside from maintenance Fuel is our biggest expence. It will soon be reflected in the price you pay for everything from groceries, clothing, building products, you name it, because everything at some point in the delivery process, a truck is involved.
• #4 by PBurke on 27 Apr, 2008 13:56
• although i myself have never technically driven a big truck for a living, i have huge respect for you guys. my dad drove for a number of years. alot of my family and friends have driven and some still do. my brother in law drives an '07 pete with triple axles and a 625 cat. flattop sleeper and is one fine asss truck. so i feel your pain bro. i think big trucks and motorcycles should get more respect on the road. like you said about proffessionalism, the vast majority are really good at what they do. there are a few that make the rest look bad, which is very unfortunate. truck safe brother.
• #5 by SLYinKC on 27 Apr, 2008 18:58
• My Dad, and now my younger brother, owned a dump trucking company.  So I've been around big rigs all of my life.  My dad always taught me to have a healthy respect for the big rigs and to remember they cannot stop on a dime like passenger vehicles.
• #6 by tomgallagher on 27 Apr, 2008 20:27
• Although most truckers are heads up guys and deserve our respect, as with any group they do have their azzholes and we've all met them out there on the open road.
• #7 by skiking on 27 Apr, 2008 22:49
• i drove a dump truck my first summer out of high school
• #8 by TheSlyBear on 27 Apr, 2008 23:17
• One of my biggest clients is a trucking company in Arkansas.
  
  I don't think the general public has the faintest idea how much they rely on trucks. Most of them probably just think merchandise magically appears in stores.
• #9 by skiking on 27 Apr, 2008 23:26
• this winter i worked at UPS, and the Sh*t that companies ship is amazing
• #10 by JDog on 28 Apr, 2008 00:38
• Tom I've got nothing but respect for the industry and you and  your fellow truckers.
  
  I had a tire explode on me when driving to Cleveland back in about '99 while doing 70mph on the Ohio Turnpike.Luckily I was able to steer the car straight and didnt crash. A trucker travelling about 6 cars behind me pulled over with me, introduced himself and actually changed the tire right there for me. I tried to offer him some money but he wouldnt accept it. Just shook my hand and went on his way.
  
  I believe his plates were from Georgia or Mississippi.
  
• #11 by Tyler on 28 Apr, 2008 16:45
• I have much respect for truckers.  It's not an easy life being away from home that much, but it's a necessary one for our economy.
• #12 by Marz on 28 Apr, 2008 17:21
• I have never been a truck driver but I have some close friends and family that are / were. My father was a heavy duty mechanic for years and our family was fed from the trucking industry.
  
  I am actually surprised that this topic comes up from the perspective of truckers being intimidating or pushy as I see more people cut off truckers or not giving them room to change lanes etc. I ALWAYS do whatever I can on the road to make it easier for these guys. Most dont seem to consider that these guys are piloting tons of weight and stopping and agile turns do not come easy.
  
  I find the lack of respect by drivers to be FAR more irritating than the occasional pushy truck.
• #13 by champ007 on 28 Apr, 2008 21:01
• Hey Tom,
  I actually work for a trucking company. Its a company owed flatbed carrier, but we are just one division of 5 which includes van, reefer, and tankers. We run about 600 tractors and the count on trailers is about 2 to 1.
  I started as a customer service rep and ended up in the IT department years back. I do everything IT related, which includes driving trucks with new Qualcomm units around the yard until I can get the signal to link... shop is a full metal building that bounces that signal everywhere except up!! We have a mixture of manuals and automatics, and most people know when I am in one cause I blow the sh*t out of the horn 
  Anyway, nothing but respect Bro, I dont think I could ever be a driver.
   
• #14 by nomad on 28 Apr, 2008 22:48
• Tom we are brothers in more ways than one. I was a trucker for 9 years and grew up around it all my life. I'm still a road warrior now just in a smalller truck. I love the life of the road and everything that comes with it, and I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for the real road warriors out there. I also have the deepest simpathy for the crap you guys are going through now with the fuel prices and everything else.
  
  keep on truckin'
  AL