I was going to bend your eye on the modern concept of using CB radio in a rig since cell phones etc has become such a fad. But an issue came up that deserves a bit more attention but needs to be outlined a bit before I get into the grit.
Between the time of the founding of the TTA, and the reworking of the organization into the Road Commanders, since we were no longer Teenagers the term did not fit any more, I was one of a rare few under 21 year olds, that was a member of the original ITA, my Dad was one of the founding members of what was the RoadMasters Association the predecessor of the ITA. With that being said, while my hat is off to the OOIDA, and I’m proud to carry that decal on my truck, still I think that a bit of ink by OOIDA in say LandLine besides just a feature when it turns winter, about us in towing would be greater than great it would be a salute to those of us who come rolling out at all times of day, night or hour. As well as in some of the worst weather. While many OTR drivers are sipping coffee in a storm in Truck Stop somewhere, we in towing are busting our hump pulling folks out of snow banks, recovering a truck out of a lake or hey lifting a 500 pound woman onto a car carrier because she is too heavy for paramedics to carry out on a stretcher, or get through the door of an ambulance. All of which I have done by the way. While I might have slipped in saying that OOIDA claimed to be thee industry organization for all independent truckers, rather than the leader I apologize. But consider this. The ITA was formed in the mid 1960’s, long before the embargo in 1973. The ITA lead a total industry shut down in 1982 which by the highway our members supported. And while many industry including those in the press coverage of our industry might not get all giddy over a rodeo queen posing with a cattle hauler, there are many more of us that will enjoy it. Its like food, eggs by themselves are good, how much better do they taste with some Tabasco or ketchup on them? Chili tastes good by itself, but I’d like to put some onions in it, just gives it a kick. So why not each month in a national publication feature a few working rigs, with some hot bods both female and male, in a great backdrop and give some punch and expression for a driver, or owner of a truck or tow rig?
Now I do not say these things to OOIDA or LandLine to antagonize or create hate or animosity, since this entire trucking industry is needing many things or cures to help each one of us keep more green in our jeans or at least increase earning potential. I think what we do and what OOIDA does should walk hand in hand. How? Consider this, as a OOIDA member, everytime I have gotten a real Call to Action notice from OOIDA, I delivered it over our airwaves on my radio show that is heard by 28, million OTR drivers and towing owner/operators across America. Our program is carried by 8 high 50,000 watt stations, as well as regionally by stations we as a organization owns. The reason I became the mouthpiece is simple, I tow, and during certain periods of the year or month , I’m home alot so rather than just sit and gripe I go do something about it. We launched what has become Dixie Diesel Trucker Radio in 1975 and the Dixie Diesel Trucker Radio Network in 1993. Our show and all is very different since our on air personalities are not just on air personalities, we live our industry, both trucking, towing, and yes flying. Long before the Road Gang which became the Dave Nemo show on XM reported NASCAR news on trucker directed radio, we at Dixie Diesel were doing it. When we reviewed movies, that drivers might like we were copied by the others, and nobody told the story and still doesn’t tell the story of us in towing except us on Dixie Diesel Radio. When what was the ITRN or Interstate Trucker Radio Network folded in 1994, it was Dixie Diesel that picked that up, retitled it and went coast to coast. So why am I member of OOIDA? Simple, I care about everybody trying to make a buck driving a truck. I don’t care if its a guy in a hot shot LTL truck, delivering boats, or a gal in a bull wagon, or a honey in a tow truck pulling a ride out of the ditch. Everyone of us is doing a job not many want to do, but we do it because we love our profession. Lets face it I love trucks, trucking and the lifestyle. Shit I took baths in 2 ounces coupled with water and diesel fuel because I loved smelling like my truck. Oh sure I went to a truck school, which was a total rip off, but I went. Finding at 19 I could not run interstate. Why did the school accept me? Money. They loved that $3,000.00 for 6 weeks of training that I had already learned going with a bull hauler that drove for France Transportation out of Gooding Idaho. He let me drive out in the open range and I loved it. Whether its OOIDA, the URCAOA the TRAA, or a combination of all of them since I can’t go coast to coast as I once dreamed, I will be out here talking the talk, walking the walk and fighting for all like me trying to make a buck driving a truck.
Keep it tween the Ditches,
Quote of the day:
You can go a long way with a smile. You can go a lot farther with a smile and a gun. - Al Capone
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