Soulslostecho, 55

i fibbed my way into my 1st trucking job at 17 running over the road in the 80's. following in my grandpa's footsteps. i pulled a refer for 3 months and decided it wasn't challenging enough. went to pulling sleds to step decks and double drops, and worked my way up to 13 axles. i drove otr for 17 years. due to an injury, i became an oversized high-pole escort and a steerable operator.n i was a trucker buddy and hoped i helped plant the bug for future drivers. i also volunteered as an investigator for the missing truck driver alert network. i fully advocate life 360 for your loved one on the road. it saves lives. i have been married 3 times, and widowed twice, all of them truckers. trucking used to be fun, something i looked forward to. nothing like the view from the office window topping cabbage at sundown going west. it was a way of life for me, not a job like it is for a lot nowadays. we looked out for each other, blew our horn for a youngin' pumping his fist, and passed the miles bull----ting on the cb. we survived on gallons of coffee, and i know i still have diesel fuel running in my veins. nwe knew our limits and didn't need the dot making regulation after regulation just to make our lives miserable. we slept when we were tired, and didn't have to worry about beating a clock or that clock saying we didn't have time for a shower, a meal, or heaven forbid a potty break. i have had the privilege to see all the lower 48, and every province in canada except the yukon and nova scotia. i took pride in my boss's equipment and treated it as if i was the one paying the bills on it, not the boss. the boss in turn trusted me enough not to micromanage and my dispatcher knew his job and learned i would be there one time if not a day early. i had and knew how to read a map. i called my customers got my own directions and set my etas. sure i still sat at a shipper or receiver but at least i could use the bathroom and vending machines when i needed.