They had iPads or cell phones where they could be with their families, at least virtually.

There is no substitute for being there, however, and the fact that they stepped up is much appreciated on this end.

The song inspired the movie starring Kris Kristofferson, Ali McGraw and Earnest Borgnine.

Sorry to say, in my opinion one of the dumbest trucker movies of all time!

But yeah, the song and the subsequent movie sold a hell of a lot of CB's to the motoring public. I bought one myself! Installed it in a VW Rabbit I had.

I say the modern phones have had a hand in minimizing radio traffic because all the things you used to use the radio for can now be gotten in that one item, maybe two if you add a GPS.

I haven't needed to ask for "Local Information" in 20 years! Much less asked for someone's "20" or a "10-36".

The last time I had one mounted in a truck was over a decade ago and even then the traffic was spotty if not nonexistent. When you did hear someone talking it was either complete shite or two or three friends chatting away, and if they were smart they would move their conversation off the "Breaker Channel" (Ch. 19). It got to the point where I would ride down the road with the squelch turned up so I wouldn't hear anyone unless they were within a few hundred yards of me. Just too much nonsense.

I started driving OTR in 1987 and they were regularly used back then with lots of interesting and often funny traffic. I had one in the trucks I used to drive on Motor Racing up into the 2000's, but as time went on, it was turned on less and less. Then it turned into mostly nasty, pointless crap. So the only times I would turn it on was to find out what that holdup was or what was the best lane to be in, until I realized even that was pointless.

I haven't talked on regularly on a CB in, as I said, well over a decade.

the only reason there are CB radios in my trucks is just in case the cell phones go down, which has happened a couple of times, to be able to still communicate, other than that, mine stays off.

I would absolutely have one. My firm sent me up to Alaska in 2022, once in July to Anchorage and again in November to Fairbanks. If you're running out of town, then absolutely put one in the truck. In fact, most of the guys running the "Haul Road(s)" use a VHF band radio so they can get out further. If you're running up to Deadhorse/Prudhoe you absolutely need a VHF rig. I never got up there (thankfully!) but I did run south down toward Anchorage on snow covered roads, but since I was there temporarily, I still didn't have a CB. The traffic on Alaska Rte 3 is a lot more frequent than on the Dalton.

Same with places like Montana, North Dakota, the far north of Minnesota and Wisconsin, UP of Michigan, etc. If it's a long way between towns and no interstates coupled with spotty or no Cellular signal, I would absolutely have a radio in the truck.

Here's a TikTok I did at the swap point when I was running south from Fairbanks. VERY lonely place! ;

https://www.tiktok.com/@the_schmingster/video/7237639530872917290

That location is here.. 177 miles south of the Fairbanks sorting center

From the video posted, it does look very lonely.
I tend to stay within the lower 48 and try to do the I-5 corridor exclusively if possible, my other driver likes to do the coast to coast runs, but on occasion, I'll take a load out of my comfort zone if she can't.

North Central PA from Philly, leaving at 2:30 AM. Desolate on the Tpke and Interstates -one time while I was gassing up, a State Trooper pulled in, said he’d seen me over the weeks in my old car, and told me that if my car ever breaks down, move away from it and only come out into the open if it’s a police car or a tow. He said people were routinely disappearing on I-80. He was not joking around.

I spotted a trucker hopping out of his truck first thing in the morning and stretching in icy cold Wikes-Barre - I chatted with him a bit, then invited him to join me for a buffet breakfast at the nearby hotel I was staying at. Besides being great company (loved his road stories), I marveled at how much he was able to eat - he pretty much sampled everything they had!

While the song is about a band's life on the road every time, I listen to it I think of every
driver that life.

Every driver who lives that life.

At the bottom right of your post there is a green rectangular box that says "Options". Click that and you'll find the Edit feature ( "Edit This Post" ). You can go back and fix typos, add photos or videos or completely rewrite your post if you want.

Sadly, he died way too young, forty four years old. The stress was too much for him.

My cousin was about 47. Gone too soon.

That is way too young. No job should kill you that quickly.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Is packed nearly every night.

Sending out good vibes to those road warriors not home for the holidays. I spent more than 15 Christmases on the road, you can find fun things to enjoy the day but it's nothing like being home.

Merry Christmas, A HERETIC I AM!!

I've been with this firm 11 years now and I think I've been home on Christmas day maybe 4 times. Same with all the other holidays. I think I've had 2 Fourth of July's at home, maybe 3 New Years, etc. etc.

Stay warm out there!

But it is warm, It's over +40F and drizzling. Might turn to snow later but we'll just have minor amounts on the ground everywhere below 8,000ft, which is not good. At least they didn't have to cancel the ski festival in West Yellowstone again this year.

Have great home-for-once holiday! I have a few gifts to open and too much cake and cookies within reach!

thank you from the daughter of a (6 years now gone) truck driver...

I drove a few like that, he had a pretty nice set up and a little bling.

Merry Christmas!

Oops! I just realized that's an album cover! I still mean it, have a great day!

Chip Davis.

Went through the whole overnight sensation experience with him.

He didn’t have anything to do with the movie, though.

and to the other road warriors out there.

Merry Christmas.

of 2 trucks, 2 drivers, myself being one of them, my agent and my accountant, so both of us are home for the holidays while the trucks are getting a well deserved break, B service and a deep cleaning.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the truckers out there who aren't able to be home.
Keep the wheels between the lines, the rubber side down and don't feed the bears.

Of control. Good for you!

Have a nice Christmas, and with any luck, a happy and prosperous New Year........

Take care of you, and yours!!!!!!!!

… who keep our country running smoothly. I appreciate you! Merry Christmas and safe holidays!

Here’s another truckin’ song.

"Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed."

He delivered milk to the supermarkets in an IH rig with a cooler trailer.
But, the most distant store in the chain was only around 45 miles away, so he was home every night.
He didn't have to do the things you describe. No sleeping in the truck. No being gone on the holidays.
He was a Teamster so he made a good living, plus the sacrifices weren't huge.

Truck drivers. Also, as a traveling health care provider, I had cell phones for every carrier and a CB radio.

No one wants to get lost in the swamp and not be able to reach a patient or emergency services.

I was a girl scout. I know what "be prepared" means.

Great post, A HERETIC I AM. ❤️

Much less a parking lot