I had another little thunk back to my early days.
I started with general haulage companies as most young drivers did, carrying all sorts of loads some of which needed special handling and securing and indeed driving techniques, and there would always be a mentor.
Thats one important thing thats missing now, even older school mentor's, drivers that have been doing the job in all it's guises for most of their lives.
Dennis Cowell took me under his wing in my first job and taught me much and i listened, he knew where the transport cafe girls sported seams, old Lymm cafe by the way..;)
Most old school companies had these fellows who didn't mind showing us youngsters the ropes, hardly needed now not much to learn to fasten a container to a trailer, but it was an approach and a behaviour maybe that came across as we yearned to be accepted by these wise old hands, that came from the real Knights of the road days.
I'd not have learned in quite the same way without this 'apprenticeship', i respected and wanted to be like him i suppose, he was popular with customers and had his own regular work which he made sure i covered when he was away.
Dennis died of a heart attack a few years later, why is it the good ones?
Armel's post about his days of hitching around does describe the older days well, we spent a lot of time in Irish overdrive, and got a move on but were far more aware of whats going on, swung the trailer a few times as well to see if a crafty plod had snuck up behind on a bike, generally didn't get nicked by the equally old school bobbies either, so long as you spotted them quickly and showed respect by slowing down gradually to the limit and passed the attitude test if stopped.
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