Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/70194
COURTESY NO LONGER CATCHING You may have heard Ron Sowder on National Public Radio's Morning Edition in January. On the occasion of his 50th anniversary celebra- tion, Sowder told program host Steve Innskeep that, among the ways in which the work of driving has changed over the years, one of the biggest was basic courtesy: "The old saying used to be 'courtesy is contagious' — not so much anymore," Sowder said. "You let people in, and that's that. Only about one out of 50 can bring themselves to throw their hand up [as] 'thanks. '" West Carrollton — one car in front of me and one behind me," he says. "I turned my CB on and the truckers were sure I was carrying a gold shipment. They escorted me up to the gate," where the banner pictured on the previous page marked the fi nish line for Sowder's 50 years. A steak dinner at Jag's in West Chester, Ohio, followed the celebration, with a "ride home in a stretch limo," Sowder says. It was there out- side his home "the next morning to take me to work, where breakfast for everyone" was served. All in all, he says, it was a fantastic high m ark in a long, stable career. He cites general job satisfaction as what's kept him with UPS this long, chief among perks being "good pay, benefi ts, you name it," he says. "Our pension, I'm enjoying [that] right now," at age 72. Looking back, among the many changes he's seen in 50 years, while some have been for the worse (see sidebar), he says driver comfort advancements in equipment are certainly a contender for some of the better industry changes. "Some of the stuff we drove over the years wasn't the best," he says, recalling the days when "the back of your leg would burn up. The trucks we have now are so much better" in creature comforts. "We've turned over a million miles in my truck as of the fall, and it still rides and drives like new," he says of the 2006 International he slip-seats with another driver on the night shift. At once, though, he missed the solid feel of the 1950s-model Reo Royale he drove in the 1970s. "They only made about 25 and UPS owned 23 of them," he says. "It was built up good. There's no plastic like they put on the trucks today — everything was steel and held the road in bad weather. It was the best one I ever drove." He plans to "at least fi nish out the year," he says. Af- ter that, his collection of 23 antique farm tractors — some John Deere, International, Oliver and Farmall models — needs attention. "I really don't have a lot of time to keep them going," he says. Otherwise, "I'll do some serious fi shing and maybe go on some cruises," he says. Circle 302 on Reader Service Card or visit truckersnews.hotims.com JULY 2012 | TRUCKERS NEWS | 15