Ten Questions for Truckers
Among the posts I most enjoy reading on Ricochet are those from contributor Dave Carter. Not only are they well-written and entertaining, but they come from a unique perspective born of fascinating life experiences. I say this not in any condescending way (ah, you’ve got to love those “real Americans” out there), but as someone who’s always been interested in what a trucker’s life is like. Assuming I’m not alone in that interest, I thought I’d presume to put some questions to Dave, in no particular order, about life on the road. Dave, I’m sure you’ve been asked most of these a hundred times—and you should feel no obligation to answer any, much less all, of them, but these are some of the things we non-18-wheeler-drivers think about as you pass by.
In these days of cell phones and other new technologies, are CB radios still important to you? Do they provide anything that other modern technologies can’t provide, or are they held on to in some sort of “romance of the road” sense?
When kids try to encourage you to blow your horn, do you do it? I assume kids still pull down on an imagery cord imploring you to sound off for them. Do you ever oblige?
How much of trucker-to-trucker talk involves things like short skirts spotted in passenger cars? Or is that only in the movies and on TV?
Is the food at truck stops any better or worse than the average food on the road? And, by extension do you guys really know the best places to eat?
What are some of the worst things other drivers do to make your job more difficult or dangerous? I really try to consider truckers when I’m on the road, rather than think of their rigs as merely impediments to my travels.
What goes on at weigh stations? I’m guessing they’re pretty boring, but they seem really cool to the rest of us.
How big a safety concern is sleep deprivation? In a business where time is often money, do a lot of truckers drive when perhaps they shouldn’t?
What are some of the biggest misconceptions about truckers? These questions might reflect a lot of them.
Are police any harder or easier on you? I assume it varies quite a bit, but I wonder if there’s a general attitude one way or the other.
Is there an overall trucker policy on hitchhikers or motorists who need help? Hitchhiking used to be a lot more commonplace than it is today. It would seem to be a risky proposition for truckers.
And, in the spirit of "turnabout is fair play," I'll answer the question most asked of me about my fascinating life: no, Vanna doesn't get to keep her clothes.
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Comments :
Jul '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Why do you pass each other on I-85 or I-81 by going 0.0001 mph faster than the truck in the slow lane?
Jul '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Do you get to keep any of yours?
Jun '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Humza Ahmad
Do you get to keep any of yours? · Sep 21 at 6:25am
Do you get to wear any of hers?
Aug '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Amen to that, Michael.
Sep '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
I think they do it on purpose.
Songwriter
Amen to that, Michael. · Sep 21 at 6:32am
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Pat, it will take awhile for me to hit all of those, but I will, trust me. I'm leaving Poratge, WI this morning with 40,000 lbs of perfume oil that is supposed to be in Pineville, LA tomorrow, so time is of the essence. For now, yes indeedy, I hit the air horn for the kids, assuming traffic is light and no one will think I'm blasting for another reason. For now, I gotta roll. More to follow.
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
10-4, good buddy. (I've always wanted to say that.)
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
On the passing thing (I couldn't resist this one), many of our trucks are governed at certain speeds. Mine is governed at 60 mph, for example. But I'm sure that even if it was restricted to 45 mph, some genius would drive at 42 on general principle. So I try to pass when safe, but I can't rocket to a high speed. Now, the problem is aggravated by the varying weights we carry, which is aggravated still further in hilly areas like I-85 or I-81, among others. A truck weighing 80,000 lbs crawls up the hill, so lighter trucks will try to pass. But these things aren't sports cars, so it takes awhile. I usually back off the throttle when another truck is passing me, 'cause I'm nice like that, see? What drives us batty is when a car overtakes us on an incline, and then gets in front of us going 52 mph on the downside when we really need to build up some speed for the next mountain ahead. As long as the brakes hold, everybody gets to go home.
May '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Dave, I run a trucking company in the UK. I don't know if you are an independent or work for a transport company. If it is the latter, what to they do that annoys you the most?
Jun '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Another interesting variation is the husband and wife driving team. Frankly, I don't know how they keep from killing each other after so much time together in tight quarters. Maybe it works because one is awake and one is asleep. I knew a couple that did that, before they got divorced.
May '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Police along I-10 occasionally perform stings on truckers (for speeding, I presume).
Some people are too impatient to wait at a traffic light when no traffic is passing through. I spoke with a trucker once who had some idiot run a red light in front of him in the middle of the night. He told me he was standing on the brake for what felt like forever, but he just couldn't stop all that weight. The person in the car died.
Be safe, folks.
Sep '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
"I really try to consider truckers when I’m on the road, rather than think of their rigs as merely impediments to my travels."
I used to be in the impediment camp until the recession. I now use truck traffic as anecdotal evidence of economic strength. The more trucks I see on the highway (and train whistles I hear in the distance) the happier I am.
Aug '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
I heard an anecdote that Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, a Nobel laureate physicist, claimed to have 'written' most of his books while driving back and forth between Yerkes Observatory in Geneva Wisconsin and the University of Chicago. There is something meditative in that altered state of consciousness called windshield time. I don't expect to become a long haul driver any time soon, but I have felt a pull in that direction.
Edited on Sep 21, 2010 at 8:56amMay '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Do you mind if I draft off your truck, if I promise to be real careful?
(I once had to do this for over 1000 miles-- I was moving to a different state, in the summer, in a dinky little car pulling a U-HAUL trailer, and it was not meant for that. The only way I could avoid overheating the poor engine, and probably the automatic transmission too, was to draft behind trucks most of the way...)
Edited on Sep 21, 2010 at 9:28amJul '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
When someone flashes their brights instead of a quick on off to say thanks makes me laugh...after my eyes clear up! Speed pass makes weigh stations tolerable. Truck stop food better be good, or it ain't gonna last long!!! CB's are in full effect...Galaxy 9000 with a amp and swing kit, echo set on a hollow reverb...how bout them smokies southbound...works better then looking at your cellphone and not knowing any ones number going south!
Jun '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Dave: I'd love to hear some of your thoughts on your favorite places to drive; and least favorite. And why?
I drive the SLC to Denver route with some regularity (usually I-80 across Wyoming). Lot's of trucks and lots of up and down. I've never had a bad experience with a trucker. They really are the best drivers on the road.
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Quick stop here to fuel and stuff groceries down my neck, but I want to answer Chris Seldom's question about "drafting," also known as tailgating. If you want to do it, go for it, but there are some things you need to know. If my trailer tires blow out, a huge piece of tread might cause catastrophic damage to your car. If I have to hit the brakes hard, you may not walk away from that one. My one blind spot is about 75 ft directly behind the trailer, so I might not even know you are there. And even if I see your shadow or the reflection of your headlights, if someone cuts me off in front, I have decide whether to brake hard and let you hit me, or run them over to protect you. I'd rather not have to make that decision. Likewise, if you pass an 18 wheeler, don't be shy about it. I saw an accident scene recently where a big rig had a steer tire blow out. Driver lost control because he couldn't steer, and the truck rolled, crushing the pickup next him. Stay alert and stay safe. Must run now. The asphalt beckons...
Sep '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
When I was 20, I started driving 18-wheelers and did so for a year and a half. That was almost 20 years ago. It was a wonderful experience, eye-opening, and challenging. And I decided then that as part of a driving course to get a driver's license, everyone should get behind the wheel for a little bit. Then maybe people would appreciate that 80,000 pounds doesn't start, turn or stop like a Corvette. I still have immense respect for all truckers - they are the backbone of America.
Thanks for what you do, Dave. Drive careful.
Aug '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
Dave's comments are encouraging me to take the train more often. ;-)
Aug '10
Re: Ten Questions for Truckers
As a non-truck-driver who's been across country many times in a car, I've always found that to be a myth. If you're in a normal sized vehicle, your best bet for good food on a long haul is to go into a city and find a restaurant in a Marriott or similar hotel chain.