SEMI TRUCK DASH CAMERA PRODUCT REVIEW

MILE MARKER #110

I purchased this exact dash camera about 5 months ago, and wanted to wait before I had a sufficient trial period before I did a product review. I was the only driver in my terminal that decided to run with a dash camera, then there were a couple of drivers that became interested and soon followed suit. I decided to purchase one of these because of all of the changes in the industry and that drivers are now becoming more responsible for their actions, possibly resulting in prison time. Simply, I don't want to get blamed or fired for something that I was wrongly accused of. This little affordable device is my key witness, and the recorded incidents eliminate all of the he said / she said situations.

The more I thought about, the more it had made sense to me that as a professional driver in today's crazy world it would be foolish to run without one. Nothing drastic has happened in front of me as of yet running my camera, but I did get a nice recording of a coyote standing on the on-ramp of 290 in Chicago. Also, there was a situation at my terminal a month ago where there was a trailer vs. light pole accident. Well, I was the one they came to first for questioning, because I was the one who brought the trailer up from Chicago on a Saturday morning. At first, I was angry because of the questioning because if I hit something, I would tell someone. The trailer was in our yard for two days and was used for peddle runs before another driver reported the damage. After my beat-down, I walked to put my stuff in my truck, and right then I had realized that my entrance Saturday morning would be recorded on my memory card in the camera. I had forgotten that I even had my dash camera. Woolah! I made a 20 minute copy to a CD of my Saturday arrival, showing that I backed my trailer in the front of the building and not even driving in the back where the accident had happened. I was happy to say the least. So happy that I even put some favorite music to the footage. I was now prepared. I was ready to stick to the man! I didn't get asked again and things were eventually sorted out, but I had recorded evidence of my actions nonetheless.

So, now I'm a firm believer...Protect Your A$$ets!!!

In a fatal accident, or any accident, dash cameras could be a very important piece of the puzzle. The recording could save your job and could potentially save a trucking company millions of dollars because there's solid proof. Do not forget that it still records the things that's your fault also. For this reason, some drivers would rather drive without one. I like to think of myself as a professional, so I will take my chances. The pros outweigh the cons for me.

REVIEW

Being that this particular zDRIVEi dash camera was affordable and my first one, I chose this model. There are more expensive one's available also with HD and more bells and whistles, but this one is simple to use and sufficient for what I need it for. Plus, it comes with a One-Year Replacement Guarantee and the website has Live Support and contacts. I paid around $100.00 for this model and purchased a 16g memory card. 1g equals 2 hours of recording, so I have 8 hours of continuous recording. If I don't do anything after the 8 hours, the new footage records over the old footage. The recordings are in continuous 2 minute segments, so it's easy to go back and save what segments that you want. You can save them in a file, or copy the footage on a CD.

The unit has infra-red night vision, sound, date and time. Setting the date and time could be a hassle for some. My wife figured it out. The unit comes with a jack that connects to the unit and to a T.V. and that's the only way to set those up. It would be easier if a person could set the date/time right from the camera itself. The daytime recordings are very clear. Saying that, the night recordings are somewhat dark, but display sufficient, visable footage if something where to happen in front of my truck. I don't like that the infra-red small circle reflects back on the windshield into my recording. It's faint and is on the very top of my recording frames. I don't really need the sound, but it's on and records my C.B. radio and satellite radio transmissions.

This camera doesn't display the small letters and numbers on license plates clearly, but when I researched cameras, most didn't.

The box includes a suction cup mount that fits nicely on the windshield. The mount is easily adjustable for whatever windshield type you may have.

All in all, I give this camera a solid 4 Stars! The cost is affordable and it is easy to use. The unit is smaller than most of the bulkier one's on the market. Like I said, there are many dash cameras to chose from and many companies that sell them. Now having one, I would feel naked without it. You can record situations, accidents, landscapes, ect. It's fun also. Your unit can be used in your personal vehicle, in the house or mounted on a window to record outside: endless uses.

To save you searching time, I found mine on a website called Zetronix.com

PROTECT YOUR A$$ETS!

http://www.Zetronix.com

I hope this helps.

Be safe, Son!

LANDING A JOB IN TRUCKING (THE RIGHT WAY)

MILE MARKER #109

Searching for a job in the trucking field seems to be almost effortless: filling out an online application and waiting for a recruiter to call, but being prepared and doing the little things can give you an advantage and edge over other applicants. When, or if you are excepted after a few questions over the phone, you'll be invited and required to attend a 2-3 day orientation for that particular company. Here, you'll be slammed smack dab in the middle of numerous other applicants like yourself.

Unlike other thorough interviews in other fields, trucking is probably the easiest process. I recommend filling out the application online, and if you can, make a personal appearance to the company that you are applying for. Dress neatly. You don't have to show up in a suit or anything, but look like a professional...maybe a nice pair of jeans, boots and a button-up dress shirt. Have in mind that you will be a representative and somewhat of a salesperson for that company, so show the company that you care about your appearance. Over the phone, you are just a voice on the other end. It's difficult to place a voice with a person, and the old stereotypical truck driver will come to mind. It always does, so that's why I recommend this step, if possible. Be prepared. I also recommend having a simple resume on person and a copy of your CDL and Medical Card. These two things will will show an employer that you went beyond the norm and that you're prepared. It's rare that a truck driver has a resume and your paperwork will be sitting on their desk, along with your and other online applications.

I'll share a quick story. Back in the day when I was in my early twenties and when conventional tractors were just starting to make a scene, I applied for a trucking job in Clearwater, Florida. It was me and two other older, seasoned drivers that were scheduled to take our driving test. I was a little nervous because I was so young, but I did have a couple of years under my belt at that point and I had a resume and a copy of my CDL and Medical Card. I was dressed in my signature jeans, black boots and a button-up black dress shirt. The first question that the safety guy asked was, "Does anyone have experience with conventionals?" I didn't, but said, "Yeah, I do." I needed to step up, because I was surrounded by older, more experienced drivers and I was determined to drive their brand new black, conventional, chromed-out Peterbilts. How hard could it be? It was a truck. Long story short, I drove first, then the two other guys, that said that they didn't ever drive a conventional, did their thing. When all said and done, they asked me if I could leave the following day. Back in the office, I overheard the safety guy talking with the owner. The owner told him that he hated bib-overalls, which one guy showed up in. Me and the other remaining guy were assigned our dream tractors, squeezing out the guy that didn't have a good appearance.

Even though I was younger and with less experience than the other two gentlemen, my appearance landed me that job.

Appearance trumped experience!

So, what I'm saying is, be the best you can be and go beyond the norm. Always remember that appearance is huge and keeping a clean tractor and good housekeeping go along way. YOU are a representative for the company that you are employed with. If you want respect, dress, act and look like a professional.

There are few drivers that actually dress in dress slacks, shirt and tie when they are dealing with customers on pick-ups and deliveries. I don't have anything against that, but I don't think that you have to take it that far. I think that that is great. They go way beyond the norm. Just look presentable, have good hygiene and let your personality sell service...

Good luck.

Be safe, Son!

MISSING TRUCK DRIVER!

MILE MARKER 108

MISSING TRUCK DRIVER ALERT

HOLIDAY CITY, Ohio — Williams County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for a missing 48-year-old man.

Authorities say Surat Nuenoom, 48, a truck driver who checked into the Holiday City Ramada Inn at about 7 p.m. on Thursday, hasn’t been seen since.

Mr. Nuenoom was to deliver a shipment to Gary, Ind., but when he did not arrive, his employer reported him missing at about 12:49 p.m. Friday, the sheriff’s office said Sunday afternoon.

The truck Mr. Nuenoom was driving was left in the parking lot, and all of his belongings left in his room. Investigators do not suspect foul play.

The man may have been seen walking westbound on County Road M-50 toward County Road 13 on Friday. He has not contacted his family or employer, authorities said.

Deputies have searched the area and done door-to-door canvassing in the immediate area. An air search was also conducted using a Life Flight helicopter.

Mr. Nuenoom is Asian, about 5 feet, 6 inches, and weighs about 175 pounds. He has brown eyes and black and white hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 419-636-3151.


BE SAFE!

TRUCK DRIVING: TOOLS OF THE TRADE

MILE MARKER #107

In this blog, I'm going to suggest a couple of Road2Trucking's favorite staples for your truck: a reliable C.B. radio set-up, a cell-phone headset and a handy multi-tool. I know that new drivers can become overwhelmed with everything at first, so I will provide some ideas that he or she can purchase when the checks start coming in. These things can be purchased at a truck stop, but to save money, all of these recommendations can be found online at a much cheaper price.

C.B radio:

So, you want a "BIG" C.B. radio, huh? Well, how about a "big enough" radio that will be the best-sounding option and will be set-up for "All Business." Just because the radio is bigger in size, or the box that it comes in is larger than it's competitors doesn't mean that it is better or stronger than the smaller one's. All radios that are shipped from the factory are set at 3 to 4 watts of out-put power. The larger more expensive radios just come equipped with more useless stuff: upper and lower frequency channels that most people don't use anymore, echo for voice alterations, etc. Again, these options don't make the unit any stronger in modulation. With simple configurations, I will provide you with a radio that will never need to be upgraded, or replaced.

I suggest a Uniden brand. Purchase a Uniden PC78XL. This radio is approximately $100.00. I run a Uniden PC76XL that is 20 years old. The only difference from mine than the PC78XL is that my mic connector is on the side instead of on the front, like the new one's. The front connection is more convenient, but not a necessity where I have to replace my older model. My radio will last me for the rest of my career.

The new radio will come with a stock mic. Purchase a Road King 56 noise-cancelling microphone. These are around $50.00-$60.00 online. These microphones have been around a long while and prove to be the best out there.

Purchase an external speaker. Uniden makes arguably the best one on the market: the Uniden Bear Cat. These speakers simply connect to the back of the radio. There are many speakers available out there, but you get what you pay for. The Bear Cat is around $20.00.

Find a reliable C.B. shop. Take your radio in and have it tuned/modified. This will boost your modulation from 3-4 watts out of the box to 7-8 watts. For approximately $40.00, you will double your out-put. This is the best way to turn your stock radio into a "bigger" radio without messing around with external power kickers and such, that will just lead to over-modulation problems, feedback and headaches.

So, we have $100.00 for the radio, a $60.00 noise-cancelling mic, a $40.00 tune-up, and a $20.00 external speaker. That's a total of $220.00 for the best "big" radio set-up. Most of the fancier boxed radios cost that much at the register. This set-up will never have to be upgraded. I couldn't even suggest another upgrade that would match this set-up. Some may differ, but I'm sticking to my suggestion and standing behind my 26 years of experience on this one. This is an "All Business" radio: no toys, bells or whistles. A good C.B. shop doesn't even sell or install the noisy toys because all they do is pollute the airwaves with nonsense. I do have Talk-Back on my radio that is on an on/off switch, but it doesn't effect the people listening on the other end. I can hear myself talk through my external speaker, but when I'm tired of listening to myself, I can turn it off. If you would like Talk-Back installed on your radio, you can have it done for a couple of dollars when the C.B. shop has the radio apart when it is getting tuned-up.

This is my secret recipe for a "big radio." You don't need nothing more than that, and it will be a C.B radio that will last a lifetime, occasionally producing compliments from fellow truckers for years on end.
________________________________________________________

As we know, laws have changed for truckers and cell phones. Some company policies like mine don't even allow you to talk on Bluetooth head-sets. We are required to pull over and answer or call back. But for those of you that can, here is a suggestion for a top-of-the-line headset: the Blue Parrot Road Warrior Bluetooth headset. You can walk around outside of the rig, or be inside of the trailer and still have a great conversation. This unit is arguably the best headset for truckers. You can purchase this headset for around $75.00 online from Amazon. These sell for about $100.00 at the truck stops.
_________________________________________________________

My multi-tool of choice is, yup...a crowbar! In my opinion, this tool will assist and persuade. I mostly use mine for tire-thumping, but it's always nice to know that you have some kind of protection when outside walking around in a bad, unfamliar area: a head-beater, if you will. A crowbar will come in handy for other tough situations also.

I don't get paid for mentioning these brands that I listed above. These are just my personal suggestions that I have provided for you. I hope that this blog provides a good start to your career. Remember, you don't have to run out and buy these things right away. You can slowly purchase them as you can afford them...

Drive safe, Son!

TRUCK DRIVER TURN-OVER RATE

MILE MARKER #106

UPDATE:

I just talked to the grad-student a couple of days ago, and this week will be his last week of driving with a trainer for a reputable, medium-sized company. He will have completed 4 weeks and a required amount of hours behind the wheel. He is pleased with his trainer and the company, and will get his own truck upon completion.

The company that I told both of the drivers to swiftly leave from is now in the middle of a law suit. Employees are proving the fact that the company isn't paying the correct miles that the drivers are actually driving. In fact, the difference isn't even in the same ball park. System-wide, the savings at the driver's expense adds up to be a lot of money in a year's time. With the new log book regulations and this bad practice, a driver is better off staying at home instead of being on the road 3 weeks at a time making minimum wage. Again, we wonder why there's a driver shortage. If this law suit ends in favor of the drivers, the trucking industry will drastically change in the way that companies will be required to pay their drivers in the future. This is a big deal, people!

For larger trucking companies, the turn-over rate is now over 100%. Hmm...go figure. So, let's break this down. In order for a company to maintain it's large size of 40,000 drivers, it must be running 40,000 new drivers through their orientation each year. These are crazy numbers...and there's a driver shortage??? It's a shame. We are getting interested persons into the trucking field, but after a short time, they are quickly running for the hills.

When searching for an employer, I can't stress enough to do research! Do your homework and search online everything about the company that you are interested in. Visit a truck stop and talk to drivers that are working for that company. Most drivers will be truthful about their situation and will be happy to share their thoughts. Companies will tell you what you want to hear, but the drivers will tell you how it really is. Online, you'll find that all companies have something negative said about them, so you'll have to sort that all out. In any field, it's human nature that someone will be unhappy about something: a falling out with a dispatcher, miles, home time, etc. One small driver problem with the company they work for can lead to online negativity toward that particular company. Choose a company that fits you. Everybody has different needs and wants.

Don't let the shiny new equipment fool you. All trucking companies are not created equal. There are a lot of good reputable companies out there, but like anything else, there's a few bad apples....

I'm finding that the companies that take new graduates is dwindling. Some that used to be student-friendly, now require a year or two years of experience behind the wheel. I think that their insurers have something to do with that: new drivers are more expensive to employ. There are still many that welcome new graduates, but you have to research and find the better one's.

Good luck, and I hope that you find your fit.

Drive safe, Son!

BIG TRUCKING COMPANIES/BIG TURN-OVER RATE

MILE MARKER #105

When are large trucking companies going to learn that: "Tell a driver the truth today, keeps a driver tomorrow?!"

With the turn-over rate hovering around 79%, it seems as if trucking companies are putting forth their concentration on "Driver Comfort." That's a good start, but I have seen and have experienced difficulties trying to get new and experienced drivers behind the wheel of some of these larger companies. There are bigger and deeper problems...

In the last couple of months, Road2Trucking has assisted a couple of drivers with job placement. Finding a trucking company for a grad student and a 16 year driver wasn't a problem at all. The problem lies in the orientation period. These companies tell an interested party everything that they want to hear, then blindside them the last day of orientation! The advertisements are colorful and shiny with their best looking equipment printed on them, but the language is very misleading, and one could consider it as false advertising: home every week-end, regional, etc.

Both of these mentioned drivers after completing the orientation were told something else totally different from sign-up. It's no wonder the turn-over rate is through the roof! Did you know that there are more CDL holders not driving a truck than there are those that do?? It's because the one's that are not in field anymore got a bad taste in their mouth right from the beginning: broken promises...We are trying to fill empty seats with professional drivers, not low-mileage-pay slaves! I told both of these drivers to politely leave...

We got the experienced driver off to another smaller reputable company and am in the process of the grad student enrolled into once again, another orientation. We'll see about the "promises" with this other large company. The grad student's options are smaller, but I will find them a home where they are satisfied. These larger companies think that they got these rookies by the short hairs, but nowadays people get turned-off to the fact that they're going to be away from their families for 3 weeks to a month at a time. I have a hard time believing that you can't get a driver to the house every week or two, having trailers spotted everywhere in the nation. These larger companies hope that they can get one willing driver out of five in the orientation process, or after the training period. That's four willing people that have now left the industry because they were told that, "That's the way trucking is." Bullsh%$! Maybe years ago... It's time for larger trucking companies to wake up...

With all of the new criteria that's required just to find a qualified driver today, you'd think that companies would change their ways. The pool is evaporating, and these companies that practice falsehoods are making it even more shallow.

Good luck out there. Don't submit to these negative practices and find a company that fits your personal needs.

"Tell a driver the truth, keeps a driver tomorrow."

Be safe, Son!

A COMICAL SPIN ON TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS

MILE MARKER #104

I came across this UTUBE video by Bobby Boofay. I must have watched it 6 times, and almost wet myself all 6 times. Too funny! It's a little old, but it's the first time that I've seen it.

You can FOLLOW Bobby Boofay on Twitter: BOBBYBOOFAY, or check out his numerous videos that are on UTUBE.

You can also FOLLOW me on Twitter also: CFAKAHOLLYWOOD

Drive safe!

ROAD2TRUCKING IS NOW ON TWITTER!

MILE MARKER #103

If you are interested, please follow me on Twitter.

There is a Twitter Button on the top-right of this blog, or you can find me at:

CFAKAHOLLYWOOD

Thanks, Peeps!

Be safe....

RECESSION SOLUTIONS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS

MILE MARKER #102

This terrible economy has many people strapped for money. The number one cost of living is housing. Being a truck driver out on the road for long periods of time, it almost seems like a waste of time for drivers to have the costs of housing. In September 6, TIME MAGAZINE, they quote by saying that "buying a house is supposed to make us better citizens, better investors and better off. But that American Dream may well be a fantasy. Lending standards slipped dramatically, allowing Americans to put far too much of their income into paying for their housing. The dark side of home ownership is now all too apparent: foreclosures and walk-aways, neighborhoods by abandoned properties and plummeting home values." This blog is intended for single or divorced professional drivers. If you are not and take R2T's advice here, you may become single or divorced shortly afterwards.

You can bet at least once in a person's life when they see a semi truck, they have thought about or were curious as to what living in a truck out on the road was like. Professional drivers do it all week long, hurrying to end the week, so they can go home for a day or two. What's home? A place to unwind, do laundry, pay bills, see family and friends, get out of the truck, etc. Home is actually just a place for your stuff. We are in a world that the more stuff you have, the better.

I used to be like that in my 30's. Now, in my 40's, I've simplified my lifestyle. I'm not lugging a bunch of stuff that weights me down. My back-pack that was once over-filled, is now lighter and I can loosen the straps and live life with less stress, while pocketing more money. Why have the head-aches and costs of stuff when a driver is always on the road? Why not rent stuff when you want or have the time to use it. Need a Harley? Rent one for the week-end. Want to fish or go boating? Rent a boat for a day. When you are finished using the stuff, return it. No additional costs of storage and maintenance required...no payments. It's just accumulated stuff that costs money. Stuff that drivers don't get a lot of time to use. Don't get yourself weighted down financially with unneeded luggage.

Maybe you're a truck driver in your 20's and don't have that much stuff yet. That's perfect. If you're older and have a lot of stuff, downsize. Have a big estate sale. Loosen the straps on your back-pack and travel lightly. The goal here is: the only lugging that you want to be doing, is to the bank to unload real stuff... Money... Stuff that you can use down the road when you retire from trucking, or when you reach your intended goal. I'm in my middle 40's. If I knew back when I started driving at 21 and what I know now........Man, the money that I have wasted....

Companies provide you with a nice home in trucking. Use it wisely. Live in it. You live in it all week long anyway. When you get to where you call home, rent a hotel room for a couple of days. The savings is phenomenal. Call a cab when you get to the terminal, or have a car that is reliable and paid off waiting for you. Why have a set of nice wheels that just sits in the terminal yard all week getting dusty and sitting out in the elements? Got a hot date or something special going on, rent a new car. Some companies allow you to take your truck home. This is a better situation yet. Set your storage up in your truck for the seasons for clothing and necessities, get satellite television and radio, buy a flat screen T.V., purchase a laptop and a good cell-phone for communications, and treat yourself to some nice bedding, clothing, and boots or sneakers. Home sweet home is right behind the driver's seat...for free... Easy, cost-free living at its finest. Equip it with a small grill and a fishing pole. Some have a bike rack made for the back of the truck for exercise and easy transportation. Set up a P.O. box for your mail. Put your possessions that you can't part with in a storage unit, or at a family members house. Quit paying on stuff that you don't use. It's a bad investment when you are over-the-road.

Living in your truck is not for everybody, but you do it all week long and don't even realize it. It's part of the job requirements. Most likely when you meet a significant other, they will already have a place...filled with...their stuff.

Make yourself a 5 year goal. Five years will go fast as a professional truck driver. Make it 10 years, and thank me later.

How much stuff do we really need? If their is anyone out there that would like to share their "living in a truck" story, please comment.

Be safe, Son.

HURRICANE IRENE VICTIMS AND TRUCKERS

MILE MARKER #101




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─ ─ ─ ▄ ▄ █ █ ▌ █ ░ ♥ ░ . HURRICANE IRENE VICTIMS ░ ♥░ ░ ░ ░▐
▄ ▄ ▄ ▌ ▐ █ █ ▌ █ ░ ♥ ░ PRAYERS COMING YOUR WAY ░ ♥░ ░ ░ ░▐
█ █ █ █ █ █ █ ▌ █ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▌
▀ (@) ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ (@)(@) ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ ▀ (@) ▀ ▘ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
...♥ JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT WE CARE{{{{{ˆ◡ˆ}".............

TRUCKING: CHECKING SOMEONE'S CREDIT SCORE DURING THE HIRING PROCESS

MILE MARKER #100

Recently in Chicago waiting for my trailer to finish loading, I came across an article in the paper that rubbed me the wrong way. Employers check an applicant's credit score during the hiring process??? I thought, "Really?" I've never heard such a thing, and at first, I thought that it was an invasion of privacy. Well, I still think that it is in a way, but then I read on.

The meat and potatoes of the article changed my thoughts. The columnist changed my opinion. It all made sense after the writer explained the reasons. If you owned a business or trucking company, would you want to hire someone to run your company that can't even run their household or personal finances? Sit back and think about that for a second.

Being a Boss, Supervisor or Manager comes with company-inflicted responsibilities. This person could make or break a business. If some one's life at home is a disaster, their choices and moral at the work place would likely carry over in their actions. If someone in that position is careless with their personal life, what are they going to do for your company?

I look around..... I get it now.

What is your credit score?

TRUCKING CONFESSIONS

MILE MARKER #99

Road2Trucking created a new and fresh Sister-Blog. It is called "TRUCKING CONFESSIONS" at: http://www.truckingconfessions.blogspot.com For your convenience, there will be a quick link on the upper right of this blog.

"A home for truckers to share their on-the-road experiences. Perched from a "Bird's Eye View", truckers store and retain amazing and sometimes unimaginable memories that are just waiting to be unleashed and shared with the world: the beauty of the land, memorable accidents, weather, or just crazy personal experiences while driving a big-truck, etc. Be creative, but truthful and keep it clean as possible. Grab a stool at the trucker counter and let the stories fly. The public wants to know!"

Please E-mail your trucking confessions to: Road2Trucking@hotmail.com

Once the blog gets going, it should be fun. Without your confessions, the blog will not evolve.... Thanks for your participation!

TRUCKER 2 TRUCKER C.B. RAMBO CHATTER

MILE MARKER #98







I'm going to try and quote an actual Citizen's Band Radio conversation that I had this morning with another driver that appeared to be bored....

SET-UP: 4 O'clock on a rainy Thursday morning. The airwaves are quiet.
TRUCKERS INVOLVED: Me and.... we'll call him Jack...Jack-A**.

JACK-A**: "Is there any new pieces-of-s*** truck drivers out here that came fresh out of driving school?"

The airwaves remained quiet after his question. I'm thinking.... "Really?" I realized that he was bored and was just trying to rile somebody up.

Not that he riled me up or anything, but I happened to be bored also, so I figured that it was my duty to see what this guy was all about.

ME: "You must have forgotten where and when you started driving,huh?"

JACK-A**: "It wasn't no truck driving school! My Daddy was a truck driver...and my Daddy taught me out on the farm, blah, blah, blah!!"

ME: "Ohhhhh! One of those "Special" truck drivers. One of those "Special drivers that doesn't have any courtesy or use his blinkers and drives like a Super-Trucker and thinks that he's better than everyone else out here...Yeah, you're "Special" alright! There's a lot of you guys out here today. You still had to start somewhere though, didn't you?"

Jack-A** sounded young and was now stuttering at this point.

JACK-A**: Yup, make more money than you have more miles out here than you do!"

ME: "I doubt that, "Special K. I guess with me only having 27 years experience, I should go up and down the road hassling new drivers. If you spent your negative energy into trying to be a professional and put forth some effort into trying to help new drivers, maybe people would remember you for what you did out here before you retire. Truth is, you are very replaceable and when you hang your keys up, these new drivers will be taking over and you'll be...well, forgotten. You are a trashy truck driver just like the rest of us, Special K. For one thing, you sound young and bored on the radio. If you were a seasoned truck driver like you say you are, I doubt that you'd be talking immature garbage like that and I would hope that you obtained some kind of wisdom from the numerous so-called years that you were out here.

I know that he was going my way....No answer.

ME: "Special K?"

Nothing....

I must have wore him down. Oh well, it killed a few miles when I was bored anyway...Idiot!

This blog doesn't need a summary, or closing. The message is in the C.B. conversation.

HOWARD STERN, TRUCKING & EDITING YOUR LIFE

MILE MARKER #97

I'd have to admit that I'm a loyal Howard Stern fan and listen to his show religiously, well, whenever he decides what his and Robin's work-week will be. :) Besides that he is probably the best interviewer in the world, I do gather useful information from his show. Between Channel 106 (the Trucker channel) and Howard Stern, I would probably do without the satellite radio. Howard is in the middle of a law suit right now with Sirius and he continuously voices that if it wasn't for him, there wouldn't be any subscribers. I think that this is a very true statement. It is for me anyway. If it wasn't for Howard Stern, I wouldn't spend the money for a monthly Sirius Radio subscription and I'd be content with terrestrial radio. You can't put a price on humor and laughter in this day-and-age. We need to laugh more. If you don't have a belly-laugh at least one time a day, you're not laughing enough. It's healthy...

I do the majority of my truck driving at night, and Howard's show gets me down the road and covers a lot of miles in the process. I don't know what it is, but that candid kind of humor gets me every time. Those prank phone calls make my jaws hurt and my stomach sore from laughing! I'm lucky that it is dark. If someone would see me laughing in my truck, they'd think that I was a crazy man.

Yesterday, Howard mentioned that life was all about "editing". The way he explained it was genius! He said that it was like his photography: He takes six pictures, keeps one and gets rid of the rest. "Editing" This is also true in trucking and our daily lives. We need to sort out all of the bad things...get rid of them and find the good things that happen within our day. Dwelling on the crappy things that take place on any given day can lead to bottled-up anger and may even cause depression. Being that a truck driver is gone away from home doesn't make things out on the road any easier.

Remember that when you have a bad day, "edit" and find and enjoy the good things that have happened: the scenery, a person that you have met that had some kind of impact on you, the freedom of your job, etc.... We could have it worse.
"Editing" = a longer life!