steel playing truck drivers?

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 2 Jan 2009 8:33 pm

so how many fellow steel players are truckers. I put in four years driving 18 wheelers in the late 90s. Most fun I had in years. Speak up guys, you might even get that referal bonus.

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 2 Jan 2009 9:34 pm

Count me in on that one for the last 14 years! LTL

Luke Morell · Post by **Luke Morell** » 2 Jan 2009 9:41 pm

24 years of truck driving for me. First three years coast to coast, last 21 years local and midwest.

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 2 Jan 2009 11:52 pm

Up until about 5 years ago....I drove an 18 wheeler and have over 1.5 million logged miles, and most of those are safe driving miles.......I'm glad to have retired from that........but not from playing steel........HAL

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 3 Jan 2009 4:49 am

Been driving a satellite uplink truck for the last 12 years, retiring from it in Feb 2009.

Michael Dulin · Post by **Michael Dulin** » 3 Jan 2009 8:50 am

Me? Too long,38yrs unless you count when I started riding with my Dad at the age of 4. Wish I'd been playin' Steel that long...maybe then I could play something! MD

Chris Reesor · Post by **Chris Reesor** » 3 Jan 2009 9:23 am

Nearly 30 out of the last 36 years... back to my 30 wheeler tonite, after a glorious week off.But we're getting a new tractor on Mon. so my cross-shift took the satellite radio out on Fri.& I'll have to survive on CD's or practice singing... hope I can stand it!

CR. $:\$

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 3 Jan 2009 10:08 am

My dad,one of one my brothers,both players. Owned and drove for around 20 years.I love trucks. But I hate the road. So I drove and picked a little near the house.

Below is a picture of dad and me before he sold the last one. However he still has several old Macks from the 40's he's restored.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 3 Jan 2009 3:57 pm

Have been driving both semi and bus for the last 30 years. Have driven 48 states and Canada as well as fixed routes and local. I did take a break to teach at a truck driving school for a couple of years. That was my favorite job ever. Unfortunately, the school closed down. I also took a couple of years off to live in a commune. Not as much fun as you might think. I'll be driving a transit bus for at least another 8 years (unless I do something stupid and get myself fired).

Bill Moran · Post by **Bill Moran** » 3 Jan 2009 5:43 pm

Would a piggybacker count ??

Jim Harper · Post by **Jim Harper** » 3 Jan 2009 6:28 pm

Drove for 38 year,s over the road,some dirt trying to get around weight station,s and dot check,s. Hauled lot of Hot freight from around Houston Dallas to LA and back loaded hot freight. No permits.Been all over this country i reckon. Went by P T A on radio. I loved my job but it got where it was not fun and too dangerous==Jim Harper

Michael Matthews · Post by **Michael Matthews** » 3 Jan 2009 9:00 pm

hello Mr Cox, glad I got to meet you today
well i've been driving since 1986 started out with the coca cola company for about 7 yrs, then to sundrop next to pepsi then went on the road in 99 oh i guess 3 or 4 yrs then back to sundrop. currently i'm driving here local hauling cardboard. best job ever thanks, mike

Dustin Rigsby · Post by **Dustin Rigsby** » 4 Jan 2009 1:10 am

You can count me in. Been driving for 14 years,with the last 11 being in LTL line haul.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 4 Jan 2009 10:11 am

Daimler Trucks of America/Freightliner have cut-back the three year fleet test program that I've been working on as a TEST DRIVER. They've really decreased their engine platform testing of Mercedes and Detroit Diesels and the drivers were the first to go, don't you know.
Twelve hour days/500 miles each........were a bit tiring, to say the least. Started on July 1, 1990, and have accumulated some 1.75 million miles, no accidents or citations except a couple of over-weight
tickets. Over-length, heavy-haul, semi's and doubles.....
It's been fun but retiring once again, has a good ring to it. NOW, maybe I'll be able to play music.

Bill Moran · Post by **Bill Moran** » 4 Jan 2009 10:49 am

Ray: Did Daimler leave Portland for Mexico ?

Jerry Malvern · Post by **Jerry Malvern** » 5 Jan 2009 11:58 am

I drove 32 years for CF Air Freight, Emery, Menlo and UPS Cartage. All the same company, just different name due to mergers, purchases and other corporate shinanigins. Ray, in the 70's, I delivered to the Freightliner plant in Chino California. At that time, they had a test fleet that ran between Chino and Portland.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 5 Jan 2009 3:18 pm

Jerry: Freightliner also had an active, unionized test fleet operating here in Portland, doing their shuffling of trailers from the railroad yard and moving stuff around that carriers would deliver to the Swan Island location.
Our test driving was limited to BRAND NEW PROTOTYPE ENGINES and EXHAUST SYSTEMS.......... Until Dec. 15th, I was testing 2010 Mercedez and Detroit Deisel engines. We did heavy, heavy hauls, up to 130,000 lbs., and lots of 105,500 loads in every conceiveable type of rig, singles, doubles, etc.
GREAT Job for drivers; no loading, unloading, home every night, no ice or snow driving, didn't even have to go back open trailer doors. Jump in and stay in for 12 hours, then go home. Gonna miss it.

Daniel Eaton · Post by **Daniel Eaton** » 5 Jan 2009 5:56 pm

I chased those lines for a about 25 years,5 of those years in my own Road Commode{Road Commander by White}.Usually hauling produce but a 5 year stink hauling live chickins blaring John Anderson's "Chickin Truck"on an outside speaker.I took up steel about 3 years ago after my stroke. Mostly cuz I love the sound and secondly to keep my head working. Still practice a lot and sometimes I think I can recognize the tune. They called me " Chickin Little".

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 5 Jan 2009 7:14 pm

Very interesting. The reason I posted this is because I'm looking to jump back into a bus or truck. With the music biz so uncertain I have kicked into survival mode. I've been driving busses and trucks since 1979. Spent 4 years driving a big truck for Reba then drove a short time for CFI. Then I drove for a food service company pulling doubles. I still retain my class A CDL with double/triple endorsments. I would appreciate and tips or recomendations any of you have. I am health and ready for some steady income. Thanks in advance.

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 6 Jan 2009 3:14 am

I drove a straight truck locally (NJ, NY & PA) on & off until about four years ago. Funny thing is that Jimmy Heffernan and I were in a play a while back that had us playing parts as truck driving musicians. I played steel and Jimmy played anything with strings on it. It was a lot of fun.
It's a shame that someone that plays like Johnny Cox even has to consider doing something else to make ends meet. John we'll keep you in our prayers.

Chris Reesor · Post by **Chris Reesor** » 6 Jan 2009 3:41 am

Johnny Cox,it was smart hanging on to those steering papers.
There's a shortage of good, experienced drivers all over the continent so you should be able to pick a good gig. Much as I may whine at times, deep down I know there's a lot worse ways to make a buck.And my employers treat me good, because they'd really like to keep me around!
Ray Montee, that does sound like a truckers' dream gig.
Too bad it's over. Best of luck with whatever comes next.
Greasy side down,guys.
CR.

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 6 Jan 2009 4:14 am

Me too,
18 years all over North America, "I've Been Everywhere" man...well almost....met the late great John Hughey and Larry Sasser in Atlanta while truck driving also met the late, James Brown down in Augusta ,Ga.,the same way...let us know J.C. how you make out...."East Bound and Down"......

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 6 Jan 2009 7:21 am

I Drove 18 Wheller And Others Back In The 60's loved It. SONNY.

Daniel Eaton · Post by **Daniel Eaton** » 6 Jan 2009 4:03 pm

I tell you John,If I was still able I'd still be out there. Guess that diesel does get into your blood.I never had any interest of going to the left side of the river but it's got to be near impossible to get around the Boston area.When I ran the New England Produce Center{many years ago} a 48 foot trailer was big.A large Car with a 56 foot trailer would put fear into me..now. The jobs are out there if your willing to run. Good luck,sure wish I was still young and healthy. My giddy up went.

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