When we were in College, my brother and I both worked for the Moving Company during the summers, and we both did some driving, straight trucks, Tractor Trailers, Vans with trailers, etc. It was a real learning experience. You learned how to back up anything and everything.
Back then all of the tractors were standard transmission and required double clutching, and we even had one old tractor w/o power steering or brakes!
The Boss/Owner was a cheap SOB, and would often try to cut corners. One time he sent a straight truck (with 2 guys) to WV knowing the truck had bad brakes. The guys lost control of the truck on a steep downhill and had to bail from the truck. One broke his arm, the other had less serious injuries. The Boss's only concern was if we could teach the guy with the broken arm how to operate a fork lift so he could keep working!
I remember the 1st time I took a tractor trailer through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel I was terrified! Was both worried about hitting the top and crushing the little cars that were dying to get around me!
Our warehouse was in the old Anaconda building in Hastings on Hudson. You had to back the truck up from the road and turn 90* to get to our loading dock. A lot of the over the road drivers from out West could not do it, I can't tell you how many trucks we backed in for their drivers.
There were also a lot of Parkways in Westchester County with low bridges. Out of the area drivers would ask someone for directions and end up in big trouble! Remember, this was the early 70s, no cell phones or Navigation.
Back then all of the tractors were standard transmission and required double clutching, and we even had one old tractor w/o power steering or brakes!
The Boss/Owner was a cheap SOB, and would often try to cut corners. One time he sent a straight truck (with 2 guys) to WV knowing the truck had bad brakes. The guys lost control of the truck on a steep downhill and had to bail from the truck. One broke his arm, the other had less serious injuries. The Boss's only concern was if we could teach the guy with the broken arm how to operate a fork lift so he could keep working!
I remember the 1st time I took a tractor trailer through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel I was terrified! Was both worried about hitting the top and crushing the little cars that were dying to get around me!
Our warehouse was in the old Anaconda building in Hastings on Hudson. You had to back the truck up from the road and turn 90* to get to our loading dock. A lot of the over the road drivers from out West could not do it, I can't tell you how many trucks we backed in for their drivers.
There were also a lot of Parkways in Westchester County with low bridges. Out of the area drivers would ask someone for directions and end up in big trouble! Remember, this was the early 70s, no cell phones or Navigation.