Attitude, automatics a bad gig to ride
Types of rigs on roads these days are a deterrent to those considering a run at the profession
Well, we’re already three days into another year. Where did the time go? What’s around the corner for you and me? So many questions, and all with the same answer. One big question mark.
I spent a lot of time over the Christmas season to rest, relax, and reflect on events, people, and places. Lots of things went on in my life in 2016, but I’ve reached the age where I consider them all good.
Most of the events centered on driving. The what when, where and why of those all added up to another pretty fun 12 months.
I piloted a mixed bag of vehicles this past year. The worst was when I agreed to help out a sick friend, and drove his stretch limo for him. It was for a wedding, and although the bride was beautiful and thankful, and her new husband every inch a gentleman, the rest of the wedding party were beyond description.
This one-time mistake reminded me of a wisp of advice my Scottish grandmother once gave me: “Never argue with an idiot. Those watching may not be able to tell the difference.”
Sage advice to keep in mind when driving a stretch limo.
Then I agreed to help another friend, and drove a couple of vehicles in the local movie industry. An eye-opener would be too kind a description for that episode. I met some great folks, of both genders, and had a lot of laughs.
But the work? I felt guilty taking money for the time I put in. One eight-hour stretch, I think I drove for about 45 minutes, but was paid for eight hours.
The highlight of that favour for a friend was seeing a former boss of mine doing the same job as me. No, we didn’t acknowledge each other’s presence, but I know I laughed louder and longer. I loved the level playing field.
Then there was the job driving a passenger shuttle van. Wow! There are some super interesting folks running around our town. Some have problems, and they want you to know all about them. Others just want to impress you with what they don’t know.
Then there are those who forget, or maybe just don’t care, that the correct sitting posture assures one of no embarrassing moments.
There were moments when I was forced to stare straight ahead to avoid a second glance at the sights being displayed in the passenger seat. I was also quick to learn that even well-dressed, pretty ladies can have a potty mouth if their world is a little off kilter, be it as simple as running a few minutes late.
Yes, shuttle driving was my favourite driving job in 2016. I like helping people. Then there were the rigs. As I drive down the road, I look for drivers who are in my age bracket. Suffice to say I feel very alone out there. As I pointed out last week, Boomers are retiring, and although the demand is very high for rig drivers, the examples I see, and drive with on the roads today, are a true deterrent to those who once thought of entering this profession. I wouldn’t want to be a rookie rig driver today. I blame it on the two ‘As.’ Attitude. Automatics. Today’s drivers seem to be of the opinion they know it all, and believe they own the road, or want to. They display little to no respect for anyone else. My advice? Stay away.
That’s the attitude part. Automatics? That’s the transmission. Put it in gear, point and shoot. A gun on wheels. No brains or respect needed, just a ‘race’ to get from point A to B. Same advice applies. Stay away.
Now that I’m a year older, I remember that I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.
I long ago sowed my wild oats, but these days I still enjoy wild oats with prunes and all bran.
I could fill a newspaper with stories about road life on the road, but why not share yours? Send them to Driving editor Andrew McCredie at amccredie@postmedia.com.