Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/65581
Feedback I Why don't truck lines help their drivers? 've got a bone to pick with all truck lines who advertise in your magazine as well as in the news- paper. All of them seem to have their own line of bull to try to entice the truckers to come to work for them. Why don't all you truck lines tell the truth of what you're really like and how many drivers you screwed over the years by literally putting them out of work for something stupid or minor that they did that to you all was a serious offence? I'm an old-school trucker with millions of miles under my belt and a lot of safety awards too. I drove for a mail contract company hauling on shuttle runs. In 2011, I was pulled over by a high- way patrol and ticketed for being within the 300- foot margin of a truck that was ahead of me. I've hauled everything from heavy steel coils to light insulation and every load of mail I hauled was re- ally light, so I know how far safe is from following another truck. Exactly six months later I was passed by a large car "big truck" in the same county, and he got over in front of me and the next thing I saw was We did the Mack Truck tour in Penn- sylvania. That was fun. We use to do a Harley Davidson run from York, Pa., to Kansas City, Mo., so I would say Harley. — Christine F. Harley Davidson. — Dhana A. I'd like to see a locomotive assembly line. — Greg R. A rocket or a shipyard. — Raymond C. Harley Davidson and Bush Beans. — Lisa P. highway patrol lights on behind me again. The cop informed me of the 300-foot rule of following another semi and wrote me a warning for the 300- foot rule and then the cop checked my log book I got a ticket for not up to the exact time on my drive line according to his inspection. My com- pany found out about the log book ticket, and one month later they fired me over it, calling it a CDL serious violation. I was just one month away from my third safety award that I would have gotten. What was really sad to me is that I did a good job. I worked Christmas and New Year's and all the holidays cause I had to and that's my so-called thanks for doing a good job. What I really want to know is, like the olden days, are there any truck lines of today that actu- ally stick up for these drivers when misdemeanors go wrong and keep them employed? Still looking for work. Thirty-five-year veteran of 18-wheelers over the road. D. LeMond IF YOU COULD DO A PLANT TOUR, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ASSEMBLED? | VIA FACEBOOK Marlboro. — Deere-Herberghs J. Astin Martin. — Richard C. Volvo. — Thomas S. Peterbilt. — Tami R. Peterbilt. — Chuck G. Kenworth. — Jeremy F. Navy shipyards. Commercial airplanes. Locomotives. "Area 51"! — Tom R. One of readers' dream factory tours is to see Volvo trucks produced. SHOULD BE A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS 18-YEAR-OLDS TO DRIVE INTERSTATE? | VIA FACEBOOK No way. Those coming out of truck driving school now don't know what they are doing and have no respect or common sense to drive a truck. — Dianna J. How are they supposed to get experience if they won't let them drive to get it? — Richard W. Sure. I was trucking at 19. — Chad R. 6 | TRUCKERS NEWS | JUNE 2012 Why the hell not? I mean, somebody has to replace those of us that are tired of this. — Michael C. Old enough to die in a war, old enough to drive truck. — Robert M. Whether you're 18 or 50, the fact is that when you're new to trucking you have no idea what you're up against and what it feels like to drive a tractor-trailer. I got my license when I was 19, and I think it sucks that I was looked at any differ- ently because of my age. I was lucky enough to find someone to hire me and I learned a damn lot in the 3 years I worked for them, age is just a number in my opinion and shouldn't dictate if someone can cross a state line. — Zach H.