Hats off to all the truckers out there....

[daniel2002p]

Well I always wanted to at least be at the controls of a big rig with a huge trailer on the back and since I work in Networking clearly that was not going to happen anytime soon. My uncle however is a long haul trucker and he invited me out last weekend to come by his place of work and see what its all about in a private parking lot. How could I say no.

It's Saturday and I see this beautiful maroon Volvo with a I think it was a 52' trailer... don't quote me on that since I know nothing about big rigs at all. But it was like my first time all over again I got to sit behind the wheel of big rig and he even let me take it for spin in the loading area. I was at that moment living my dream. The truck on the other hand, not so much. I never heard so much grinding from a transmission, double clutch, no clutch, switch thingy on the gear level, change gear every half a second, check mirrors etc. Holy crap that is a lot of things to do just to get the dang thing moving and then you look in the mirror and all you see is trailer. I can only imagine how ticked off I would be if a car decided to do a emergency stop in front me for no reason.

All this to say you guys and gals that are out there covering the miles in this great country of ours, you have much more respect from me after that experience. Keep on doing what you'r doing and I will give you the room you deserve on the road.

--Dan

[RoyGBiv]

My mother in law was a long haul trucker. Hauled explosives for the army, or so she liked to tell.
Drank like a sailor. Smoked like a chimney (rolled her own). Her daughter is awesome, without most of the bad habits