If anyone has noticed,
chatter on the citizen’s band radio is at an all time low. The glory days of “Convoy” and the mega use of them in the 70′s is long gone and faded into a part of America’s history.
If by chance you still have one you probably are like me and leave the blasted thing off unless there is a backup or you need to communicate with a shipper or a receiver on which dock to hit or if your load is ready to pull out of a door..etc..etc… These days you can’t find anyone on channel 9 (which is the emergency channel) anymore.
Since the economic turn down, all you here on the C.B. is stress and strife and how someone is gonna kick someone else’s butt. I’m not into having a lot of that kind of negativity introduced into my life on a daily basis. I haven’t heard any good news on the C.B. radio in years so I decided (along with most of the drivers out here) not to listen to it anymore.
Lots of people say you should have the radio on all the time so you can be aware of traffic conditions ahead and that it is “part of your job” to be on top of these things. Well, I beg to differ. I am sure that drivers who don’t even have radios are on top of things. With the advanced training that companies offer these days, drivers are more prepared than ever to meet the challenges on the road. Also, I don’t need to know about the bear in the middle or on the on ramp shooting me in the ass. As a professional driver, I drive as legal as possible. I plan my route and time my breaks to always make an on-time, non-rushed delivery. It’s always funny to hear someone talking about bears when the speed limit is 70 mph. Like someone is going to go 80 or faster these days. The days of truckers speeding and tailgating is another part of American history. There are some that still do it but they are on their way out of the job market. With the 800 numbers plastered all over the trailer and the rest of us drivers out here who have had enough of these guys making us look bad, their days are numbered. I can remember the days when a driver could actually have a friendly conversation on the radio and keep each other awake on a late night haul, but now that too easily escalates into a war of words and the “Rambo” mentality comes out.
Now, with cell phones that include unlimited data plans and internet, like I-Phones and blackberrys, a driver can stay connected with friends and family more easily than before. I’d rather talk to a friend of mine on the phone than have Bubba saying he’s gonna stomp a mudhole in my ass. Oh, and if you think that someone is gonna ask if you need help when you are broke down on the side of the road and actually stop and help you these days you are in la-la land.
So, goodbye to my C.B. You have been brought to stillness by the constant harassment, aggravation, thoughtlessness, threatening behavior, sexist and racist chatter that you let others spew out over our airwaves. May you rest in peace.
Jim
we use them all the time..its part of our job in australia i drive a roadtrain for a contractor we tow their trailers but we haul for various mining companys..the mining companys have made it part of their O ,H and S…safety policy..so its part of our job ..we also talk wiyh the local farmers about road conditions ..cows, wild horse s camels..ect.or if some body needs help…the c b is an important part of our livleyhood…..73s …JT
James how true that is in metropolitan areas and on the big roads but here in the north country drivers still say hello as they pass they give you road conditions on over the mountain and they travel together having decent conversations. I have had many good conversations with good folks many are freinds to this day. so yes many have destroyed the cb many of us still use it and enjoy it I understand you may travel on sesame street on the big roads but there are still good folks out here in the communitty who use and enjoy it. It is and always has been a great tool and some times a valuable tool, and james folks here still radio ahead that a driver is broke down ahead anyone have a tool or cables ect and they work together. The rest of the world has gone insane but James small town american truckers use it inplace of that sat radio and cell phones don’t work alot of places in the woods. While the rest of america turns them off we enjoy conversations uninterupted by shut up stupid or I aint got no panties on! we keep our radios on and enjoy an occassional cup of coffee together at the fuel stop.