My hands are stained and calloused

[Droopy]

and I have scars on my face from working in the trucking biz. Do you wish you could be me? Out there traveling the interstate? I used to wish I could be you in there driving your desk. Not anymore. Now I have pride in what I do. It seems perverse after getting beat up like I have been, but I take pride in what I do. But in the end we need each other. We rely on each other for our livelihood. You are my brother or sister just trying to make ends meet just like me. God bless you and I hope we can get together some day.

[fizzgig]

1. i would love to at least get a taste of what you do, droopy

and i hope to someday treat you to a :beer:

[Droopy]

3. Thank you sweetheart.

It's a beautiful thing and I can't deny it. If you'd like to truck it up I can show you how it's done. Or if you'd just like to get a taste we can do that to. I'd love to have a drink with you or any of my DU mates.

I don't know how long this big rigging thing is going to be around. It's the American dream personified. The freedom of travel with the possibility of money. Pure freedom. :)

[flvegan]

2. "Now, how the hell did you do that?"

That was me to my uncle (inlaw, but whatever) when I rode in his cab in reverse hooking up the trailer to his cab. I can barely back my hatch out of a parking space properly. Especially considering how much I despise most other drivers, truckers have my highest respect. I'm one of those guys that gives 75 feet and 10 seconds of blinker before I pull in front of one of you folks.

[Droopy]

5. Thanks, man

We sure do appreciate that. If everybody just gave each other a little space I bet we could cut the interstate highway fatalities by two thirds. I give respect to you four wheelers when I'm out there on the road, too. I won't ride your ass and I'll move over when you are trying to get on to the highway. I know some truckers don't do that, but I'm trying to have a positive influence on them. :)

[auntAgonist]

4. Getting paid to see the country ..

Life can be good. I miss it. :cry:

I have come to hate winter roads with a passion though. I'd rather have 80,000lbs of weight than the smallish car that I drive.

rubber side down Droopy, lets do that lunch/dinner/drinks thing soon.

:hug:

aA
kesha

[Droopy]

7. Oh definitely, aA

Hey I have paid time off now. I've got 6 days. I can definitely spare a day to hang out with you and Gryphon. Just say the word and I'll see what I can do.

[asdjrocky]

6. That's a big 10-4 good buddy, think we got us a convoy.

[Droopy]

8. Convoooooy

It still happens these days. If you listen to the CB radio you'd think that the comraderie in trucking is gone. But we still stick with each other when times get tough.

[opiate69]

9. Actually, after 20 years in shipping/warehousing/dispatch

I'm kinda thinking about taking a course and getting a CDL - A. Not sure I'd want to go the over-the-road route, but I know our local LTL guys make some damned nice money, and I'd probably love to get a daily dedicated run like Seattle-Portland or Seattle-Spokane.

[Droopy]

11. Go for it, man

Those cushy, local, dedicated runs are hard to come by, but I think you can make it happen if you've got some connections. It took me 10 years to come by something like that, but if you are already in the shipping biz you might be able to pull it off from the get-go.

[triguy46]

10. There is an honesty and satisfaction in work that requires physical effort.

I'm behind a desk during the week, but on weekends work on our farm. I'm so sore tonight from spending the day with chainsaw and tractor. But it is tangible and so real. Excellent post.

[Droopy]

12. Thanks man

Yeah I drive them trucks and I unload them, too. The pay back in satisfaction as well as labor makes it feel so right. Makes you feel some pride and dignity in knowing that you were the person who made the freight get there. Or any hands on job for that matter. You were the one who made it happen when so many others just didn't have the guts or the will. :)

[Ptah]

13. We depend on the deliveries you and yours make.

Thanks.

[Droopy]

14. You're welcome, Ptah

And we appreciate the buisiness.

[Ptah]

15. You help keep the wheels of industry spinning!

in the shop the other day

[Droopy]

18. Ha ha I was a machine operator before I signed on with a trucking gig

It's honest work, but damn it's hard to hang in there it's so boring. I commend you for hanging in there.

[Ptah]

20. And I admire your ability to keep the shiny side up.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

16. My dear Droopy...

I'm happy that you love your job, that you take such pride in it...

We do need each other!

And, if I'm ever back in Ohio, I will certainly want to see you!

:hug:

[Droopy]

17. I'd like to see you, too, Peggy

You sound like a fun person to be around. I'd also like to quiz you on that hybrid Toyota that you own. I'd like to get something like that in the future because I have a lengthy drive to work.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

19. You ask anyone who's met me...

I always look for fun!

And anything I can tell you about the Hybrid, I'd be more than glad to...

I'm not too good at the technical, how does it work stuff, though...Beyond the basics anyhow!

[auntAgonist]

21. My hometown's coming in sight, If you think I'm happy you're right

Well, I pulled out of Pittsburgh,
Rollin' down the Eastern Seaboard.
I've got my diesel wound up,
And she's running like never before.
There's a speed zone ahead, all right,
I don't see a cop in sight.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.

I got ten forward gears,
And a Georgia overdrive.
I'm taking little white pills,
And my eyes are open wide.
I just passed a 'Jimmy' and a 'White':
I've been passin' everything in sight.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.

Well, it seems like a month,
Since I kissed my baby good-bye.
I could have a lot of women,
But I'm not like some other guys.
I could find one to hold me tight,
But I could never believe that it's right.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.

I.C.C. is checking on down the line.
I'm a little overweight and my log's three days behind.
But nothing bothers me tonight.
I can dodge all the scales all right,
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.

Well my rig's a little old,
But that don't mean she's slow.
There's a flame from her stack,
And the smoke's rolling black as coal.
My hometown's coming in sight,
If you think I'm happy you're right.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight.


http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/dudley-dave/six-day-on-the-road-12235.html

[Droopy]

24. Oh, yes. A classic.

They don't play songs like that on the radio anymore.

[leeroysphitz]

22. I wanna be my own boss driving a big rig on the open road.

Do you have the number for truck driving school?

[Droopy]

23. Yep. 1-800-get-fucked

Seriously, the best way to go is to get your license independently and choose a company from there. If you really are considering a career in trucking, shoot me a PM. I'll steer you in the right direction.