Big Wheels Keep on Rollin'
Printed in rpm Magazine- The Lighter Load, November 1998 & Truckers News, November 1997
A child sitting in the back seat of a car raised his arm in a simple arm motion, a driver in his truck responded appropriately with a blast from his air horn and an unexpected tradition began. Today, this exceptional sensation remains the same.
Through the years, trucks have appealed to children of all ages. Little boys pushed their trucks down the sidewalk and dreamed of the day they would sit in the driver's seat of a real rig and explore the world. Older children saw the huge, shiny toys on the highway and daydreamed of sitting in the lofty perch above the rest of the world.
Driving a truck is neither as exciting nor as profitable as it sounds, and the responsibilities of a professional driver are both demanding and stressful. His job is one of great importance to the American way of life, but John Q. Public rarely considers the fact that nearly everything essential to his lifestyle, from the food he eats to the new car he drives, is transported by the "almighty 18-wheeler." We all need to keep in mind the quality of life that the American Truck Driver provides.
New graduates from truck driving schools are sometimes disappointed or discouraged with their new occupations. School did not prepare them for the days or weeks away from home, the physical labor of handling freight, the odd work hours or the attitudes of their co-habitants on the freeways.
The old-timers say, "Once diesel is in your blood, it's there to stay. Back in my day, when trucks had water-cooled brakes, the narrow, winding roads seemed to be straight up and down. Even after you retire, you still have the drive that made the memories."
Mark L. Hendricks
About the Author:
Mark Hendricks of Idaho, began driving in 1984. "Remaining with the same company, having over a million safe miles to my credit, and participating in the state driving competitions has assisted me in becoming the professional that I am today," Hendricks said.
rpm Magazine
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