Leighton Rhymes with Satan (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} leighton) wrote,@ 2008-05-12 22:41:00 |
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Get Drafted
Yes, I still drive a big road tractor with a 53' trailer.
Not too much has changed in the years of politing these beasts. Michiganders still don't know how to merge, and Massachusetts drivers are the traffic-dwelling equivalent of child molesters...
But one thing has changed: Fuel has gotten a lot more expensive. Even Michigan grads have to ask Canadians for gas:
I do notice a lot more people trying to draft (draught?) behind my truck to "save gas". I can't see the tailgaters in my mirrors, but I know they are there (don't ask how). To get a good look and to make sure it's not a cop, I can swing the trailer. But usually other drivers let me know who's back there via the CB.
Recently, another truck driver noticed I was checking to see who was behind me at a VERY close distance, on I69. He said the same guy was on his ass for the last 20 miles. The car had switched to me for some reason. and I would "not be able to shake him". Within 10 seconds he was off my ass and I got a good look at his car (Civic Hybrid) as it dove into the next lane, trying to escape the puff of smoke coming from trailer tires. "Yeah, that did it!" the other driver yelled, obviously loving it. It was totally worth leaving a few inches of trailer rubber on the interstate to evacuate the bladder of a guy who was risking his life while tailgating me on the phone.
Had I laid on the brakes much longer, or blown a tire for another reason, or run over random road debris, the Civic and driver would have hybridized crudely and bloodily: Not worth the gas savings he could get by using cruise control in a smaller car. Say hello to Croatia's Chevy... and our domestic motoring future:
I'm a company driver, so I don't personally pay the $1000 it takes to fill my two tanks with diesel twice a week. My company is actually doing better in this climate (I move replacement parts for Fords and new parts for Toyotas and GM/ Toyota ventures - NUMMI's Vibe / Matrix). Ironically, the job pays a lot more than most, so soon I can finally afford the V8 swap into the Fiero that will probably halve its efficiency and triple its horsepower. The sooner we run out of oil, the sooner things will get better, and I'll be doing my part...as is Audi:
Yes, I still drive a big road tractor with a 53' trailer.
Not too much has changed in the years of politing these beasts. Michiganders still don't know how to merge, and Massachusetts drivers are the traffic-dwelling equivalent of child molesters...
But one thing has changed: Fuel has gotten a lot more expensive. Even Michigan grads have to ask Canadians for gas:
I do notice a lot more people trying to draft (draught?) behind my truck to "save gas". I can't see the tailgaters in my mirrors, but I know they are there (don't ask how). To get a good look and to make sure it's not a cop, I can swing the trailer. But usually other drivers let me know who's back there via the CB.
Recently, another truck driver noticed I was checking to see who was behind me at a VERY close distance, on I69. He said the same guy was on his ass for the last 20 miles. The car had switched to me for some reason. and I would "not be able to shake him". Within 10 seconds he was off my ass and I got a good look at his car (Civic Hybrid) as it dove into the next lane, trying to escape the puff of smoke coming from trailer tires. "Yeah, that did it!" the other driver yelled, obviously loving it. It was totally worth leaving a few inches of trailer rubber on the interstate to evacuate the bladder of a guy who was risking his life while tailgating me on the phone.
Had I laid on the brakes much longer, or blown a tire for another reason, or run over random road debris, the Civic and driver would have hybridized crudely and bloodily: Not worth the gas savings he could get by using cruise control in a smaller car. Say hello to Croatia's Chevy... and our domestic motoring future:
I'm a company driver, so I don't personally pay the $1000 it takes to fill my two tanks with diesel twice a week. My company is actually doing better in this climate (I move replacement parts for Fords and new parts for Toyotas and GM/ Toyota ventures - NUMMI's Vibe / Matrix). Ironically, the job pays a lot more than most, so soon I can finally afford the V8 swap into the Fiero that will probably halve its efficiency and triple its horsepower. The sooner we run out of oil, the sooner things will get better, and I'll be doing my part...as is Audi:
