I think one of the biggest fears we as drivers have is the one we never
talk about. It isn’t so much being involved in an accident or even running
over a little kid chasing their ball into the street. We “Professional”
Drivers watch for that, prepare to react to those situations. We do
everything in our power to try and ensure that don’t happen.

No the biggest fear I think most of us have is not getting to go home, ever.

We spend days, even weeks alone. Not exactly the ideal job for a social
butterfly but those of us who do it, and do it well, like this life. We
enjoy the sounds of the tires humming along on the pavement. We prefer the
static of the CB and the hum of a big diesel to the constant barrage of
people talking. We are a peaceful people who like a quiet and peaceful
existence.  And as long as you don’t tread on our lifestyle we tend to
mind our own business and keep to ourselves.

But even though we are loners in our own way, we still have family. And we
enjoy our time with that family when we get it. But in the back of our
minds, never to come forward if we can help it, is the fear of never
seeing them again when we walk out the door.

It happens every day, but we don’t really talk about it. Drivers are
killed in bad areas, pass away in their sleep, or just go missing to never
be heard from again until someone stumbles on their body laying in the
woods someplace.

The other day FB and social media everywhere was bombarded with requests
to help locate a missing driver from WI. He was last heard from that
morning heading out of Spokane, WA and spotted by a camera going through
the port in Montana. Almost a week later they found him passed away in his
truck. He was only 66.

Our lifestyle can take years off of our lives if we don’t watch how we
live. It is very easy to become complacent with our exercise and diet.
Drivers become lazy and choose poorly the foods they eat.

Now I don’t know if this is what happened to the driver that went missing,
but they say he appears to have just passed in his sleep. But think about
the fact that it took almost a week to find him. A week his family spent
wondering where he was and if he was okay.

Our lonely job makes it easy for us to just fall off the radar. Now
granted in this day of modern technology it isn’t as likely since we have
GPS systems tracking our every move in many company trucks. But
independents that don’t have these electronic devices can fall out of
touch very easy.

I guess we need to think more about this unfortunate possibility before we
leave our families. Make sure we tell them we love them and let them know
how much they mean to us. In the back of our minds we know every time we
walk out the door could be our last.
 

    Senseless Ramblings of the Dark Side with Dale H

    As someone who has been in the trucking industry for the better part of 30 years I have seen a thing or two. I’ve witnessed changes in our Regulations, Hours of Service, Equipment, De-Regulation of our industry and the Unions make and break our industry. I’ve seen drivers who complement our industry and those who are a major insult to it.
    I’ve been a company driver, a O/O leased to a company and a gypsy. So I honestly do have a clue what I am talking about. Do I know it all? NOPE!!!! I don’t claim to, I don’t apologize for my thoughts or comments and most importantly I don’t care if you agree or not. It’s my opinion after all.
    I am a very opinionated person. I’ll say exactly what is on my mind to whomever I feel like saying it to. If they deserve to be called a skuzz bag I’ll let them know, if they have BO I’ll ask them point blank if they need me to give them a shower credit or even pay for one. If they throw trash on the ground I’ll call them a pig and tell them to pick it up.
    Now granted this mentality got me in a lot more trouble when I was younger. Now it really just gets me looks of “Weirdo” but at the same time it makes people think. I’ve had people pick up their trash, take me up on the shower and even walk away with their head hanging as if embarrassed.
    I attack a subject with an “In your face” type attitude. If you’re not ready for that, you may want to go read someplace else. If my writings hit home, perhaps I was actually talking about you. If they make you nod your head in agreement or just think for a minute I have accomplished my task.
    New to the industry and want to learn something, I’ll try to help. If you have been driving for a year and want to offer me advice I’ll listen, but don’t be surprised if I correct you. But, hey I’m open minded, perhaps you have learned an easier or better way to do something.
    Treat me with respect I will do likewise, act like a moron and I don’t want you around.
    I’m old school, I still believe in helping the other guy, being kind to shippers and receivers and playing smoky and the bandit with the DOT. Unfortunately as far as drivers go it only takes one or two to sour me for the day towards all.
    Read, learn, comment and who knows where it will go.

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