#truck driving jobs united states

[truckdriverjobs122]

Truck Driving Jobs United States Your Route to Success

Truck driving jobs in the United States present a well-defined route to a stable and rewarding career. As a cornerstone of the American economy, the trucking industry is indispensable, with a steady demand for drivers tasked with transporting goods across the nation. This profession offers competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and significant opportunities for career advancement. Whether you’re drawn to the open road or prefer a more localized role, truck driving can be tailored to fit your career goals and lifestyle preferences. This article explores the myriad opportunities available truck driving jobs united states, shedding light on why this profession remains a robust choice for many Americans.

The Role of Truck Driving in the U.S. Economy

Truck driving is a critical component of the American supply chain, responsible for delivering a vast array of goods from producers to consumers. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), more than 70% of all freight transported in the United States is moved by trucks. This statistic underscores the essential role truck drivers play in keeping the economy functioning smoothly, supporting industries such as retail, manufacturing, agriculture, and more.

The trucking industry’s importance is further reflected in its contribution to job creation and economic growth. With millions of trucks operating across the country and a high demand for skilled drivers, truck driving remains a secure and lucrative career option.

Types of Truck Driving Jobs

Truck driving encompasses a range of job types, each offering unique experiences and benefits. Understanding these different roles can help prospective drivers select the career path that best aligns with their goals and lifestyle.

1. Local Truck Driving

Description: Local truck drivers operate within a specific geographic area, such as a city or county. They handle deliveries and pickups within a relatively short distance from their base of operations, typically working shorter shifts and returning home daily.

Benefits: The primary advantage of local trucking is the consistent home time, allowing drivers to maintain a stable routine and spend more time with family. Local drivers often face less travel-related fatigue and can avoid the challenges of long-haul driving.

Challenges: Local driving can involve heavy traffic and the complexities of urban navigation. Drivers may also encounter high-pressure delivery schedules and varying working conditions.

2. Regional Truck Driving

Description: Regional truck drivers cover a specific area that may span several states or a broader region. This role strikes a balance between local and long-haul driving, with drivers typically returning home more frequently than those in long-haul positions.

Benefits: Regional trucking offers a middle ground between the extensive travel of long-haul driving and the home stability of local driving. Drivers enjoy a more predictable schedule and are often able to spend weekends at home.

Challenges: While less demanding than long-haul trucking, regional drivers still face long hours on the road and may deal with varying weather conditions and road types.

3. Long-Haul Truck Driving

Description: Long-haul or over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers travel extensive distances, often crossing state lines or even traveling across the country. This role involves spending extended periods away from home and covers routes that can last several days or weeks.

Benefits: Long-haul drivers typically enjoy higher pay compared to local and regional drivers due to the demanding nature of the job. They also have the opportunity to see different parts of the country and experience diverse driving conditions.

Challenges: The major challenges of long-haul driving include extended periods away from home, irregular schedules, and the physical and mental demands of long-distance travel. Drivers must be prepared for the isolation and fatigue that can accompany long-haul routes.

4. Specialized Truck Driving

Description: Specialized truck drivers handle specific types of cargo, such as hazardous materials, oversized loads, or temperature-sensitive goods. This category requires additional training and certifications to ensure the safe transport of these specialized items.

Benefits: Specialized trucking often comes with higher pay and job security due to the expertise required. It can also offer a unique set of challenges and responsibilities, which can be rewarding for those interested in niche areas of the industry.

Challenges: Specialized trucking requires rigorous training and adherence to strict regulations. Drivers must be well-versed in handling specific types of cargo and comply with additional safety protocols.

Benefits of Truck Driving Jobs

Truck driving jobs offer several benefits that make them an attractive career choice for many individuals.

1. Competitive Wages

Truck driving is known for its competitive wages. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was approximately $50,000 in 2023. Salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, type of trucking job, and the employer. Additionally, many companies offer performance-based bonuses and incentives, further enhancing earning potential.

2. Comprehensive Benefits

Many trucking companies provide comprehensive benefits packages to their employees. These packages often include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, retirement plans, and paid time off. Some employers also offer additional perks, such as free or discounted truck maintenance, driver assistance programs, and wellness initiatives. The availability of these benefits contributes to the overall attractiveness of truck driving as a career.

3. Job Security

The demand for truck drivers remains strong, ensuring job security in this profession. With the ongoing need for goods transportation, skilled truck drivers are consistently sought after. The growth of e-commerce and the expansion of supply chains further reinforce the stability of truck driving jobs, providing a reliable employment outlook.

4. Career Growth Opportunities

Truck driving offers significant opportunities for career growth. Experienced drivers can explore various advancement paths, including becoming owner-operators, transitioning into fleet management roles, or pursuing positions in corporate offices within trucking companies. Additionally, seasoned drivers may take on training or mentorship roles, helping new drivers enter the industry.

Training and Certification

Becoming a truck driver requires specific training and certification. Prospective drivers must understand these requirements to successfully enter the profession.

1. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

To drive a commercial truck, individuals must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This involves passing both a written knowledge test and a practical driving test. The CDL is categorized into different classes (A, B, and C) depending on the type of vehicle and cargo.

2. Driver Training Programs

Many individuals attend truck driving schools or training programs to prepare for the CDL exams. These programs offer classroom instruction, hands-on training, and behind-the-wheel experience. Completing a formal training program enhances job prospects and ensures drivers are well-prepared for the demands of the profession.

3. Specialized Endorsements

For certain trucking jobs, additional endorsements on the CDL are required. These endorsements are necessary for transporting hazardous materials (HazMat), driving double or triple trailers, or operating tank vehicles. Obtaining these endorsements involves additional testing and training but can lead to higher-paying and specialized job opportunities.

The Future of Truck Driving Jobs

The truck driving profession is evolving with advancements in technology and changing market demands. These developments are shaping the future of the industry and creating new opportunities for drivers.

1. Technological Advancements

Modern trucks are equipped with advanced technologies, including GPS navigation, automated systems, and telematics. These technologies enhance safety, efficiency, and communication, and they are becoming increasingly prevalent in the industry. Drivers who are knowledgeable about these technologies will be better positioned to leverage them for improved job performance.

2. Autonomous Trucks

The development of autonomous or self-driving trucks is a major trend in the industry. While fully autonomous trucks are still in the experimental phase, they have the potential to revolutionize the industry by improving safety and reducing the need for human drivers. However, this technology also raises questions about job displacement and the evolving role of human drivers.

3. Sustainability Initiatives

Environmental concerns are driving the trucking industry to explore ways to reduce its carbon footprint. This includes the development of electric and hybrid trucks, as well as initiatives to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Drivers who are aware of and adapt to these sustainability initiatives will play a key role in shaping the industry’s future.

Conclusion

Truck driving jobs in the United States offer a clear route to success for those seeking a stable and rewarding career. The profession’s significance to the American economy, coupled with competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career growth, makes it an appealing choice for many individuals. With various job types available—ranging from local and regional driving to long-haul and specialized roles—truck driving allows you to tailor your career to fit your personal preferences and lifestyle.

As the industry continues to evolve with technological advancements and sustainability initiatives, truck driving will remain a vital and dynamic profession. Embracing the challenges and opportunities of truck driving can lead to a successful and fulfilling career, navigating the roads of the United States while contributing to the heartbeat of American commerce. Whether you are drawn to the freedom of long-haul routes, the stability of local driving, or the uniqueness of specialized trucking, a career in truck driving offers a pathway to success and satisfaction.

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

1955 Lincoln Futura

Did you know this?

Before the Batmobile: Benson Ford Drives the 1955 Lincoln Futura

Benson Ford Sr. is the least well known of Henry Ford’s three grandsons. His older brother Henry II (1917-1987) was Ford Motor Company’s emperor, serving as president or chairman from 1945 to 1980, while his younger brother William Clay Ford, Sr. (1925-2014) was the chairman of Ford’s design committee and the father of current Ford executive chairman Bill Ford, Jr. Middle brother Benson (1919-1978) served a number of lesser roles in the company and passed away, sadly, at only 59. At the time of this filming he was a Ford vice-president and general manager of the Lincoln-Mercury division.

In these photos from 1955, Benson pulls rank for some sweet PR duty: He takes the fabulous Lincoln Futura for a spin through Manhattan, around Central Park and past the front door of the United Nation headquarters on First Avenue. True to its name, as the Futura cruises alongside all the conventional 1950s cars and trucks on the streets of New York, it looks like something shot straight out of a time machine.

The dream car, designed by John Najjar and Bill Schmidt of Ford Styling, built on a prototype Continental Mark II chassis, and constructed by Ghia of Turin at a cost of $250,000, was a genuine show-stopper in its day. In an interesting historical twist, Ford said the car’s lines were inspired by two marine creatures, the manta ray and the mako shark. GM would later claim the same influences for two memorable Corvette concepts, with remarkably different results.

Of course, we all know the fate of the Futura: After appearing in the 1959 MGM movie It Started With a Kiss with Debbie Reynolds and Glenn Ford, the show car was discarded by Ford, eventually ending up on the back lot of California customizer George Barris. In 1966, Barris transformed the Futura into the far-out TV Batmobile, eliminating the bubble canopy and adding a kitschy bat-themed paint job and other gimmicks. The Hollywood version certainly has its fans: Countless tributes and copies have been built, and Batmobile no. 1 sold at auction in 2013 for $4.62 million. But Lincoln purists prefer to remember the car in its original Futura state.

The Original 1966 Batmobile Was Bought For $1 From Ford.

This article written by Northtowne Lincoln in KCMO..

[she-is-ovarit]

Ashli Streeter said Stevens Transport did not hire her because it had no women to train her. Credit...Montinique Monroe for The New York Times

The trucking industry has complained for years that there is a dire shortage of workers willing to drive big rigs. But some women say many trucking companies have made it effectively impossible for them to get those jobs. Trucking companies often refuse to hire women if the businesses do not have women available to train them. And because fewer than 5 percent of truck drivers in the United States are women, there are few female trainers to go around. The same-sex training policies are common across the industry, truckers and legal experts say, even though a federal judge ruled in 2014 that it was unlawful for a trucking company to require that female job candidates be paired only with female trainers. Ashli Streeter of Killeen, Texas, said she had borrowed $7,000 to attend a truck driving school and earn her commercial driving license in hopes of landing a job that would pay more than the warehouse work she had done. But she said Stevens Transport, a Dallas-based company, had told her that she couldn’t be hired because the business had no women to train her. Other trucking companies turned her down for the same reason. “I got licensed, and I clearly could drive,” Ms. Streeter said. “It was disheartening.” Ms. Streeter and two other women filed a complaint against Stevens Transport with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Thursday, contending that the company’s same-sex training policy unfairly denied them driving jobs. The commission investigates allegations made against employers, and, if it determines a violation has occurred, it may bring its own lawsuit. The commission had brought the lawsuit that resulted in the 2014 federal court decision against similar policies at another trucking company, Prime. Critics of the industry said the persistence of same-sex training nearly a decade after that ruling, which did not set national legal precedent, was evidence that trucking companies had not done enough to hire women who could help solve their labor woes. “It’s frustrating to see that we have not evolved at all,” said Desiree Wood, a trucker who is the president and founder of Real Women in Trucking, a nonprofit. Ms. Wood’s group is joining the three women in their E.E.O.C. complaint against Stevens, which was filed by Peter Romer-Friedman, a labor lawyer in Washington, and the National Women’s Law Center. Companies that insist on using women to train female applicants generally do so because they want to avoid claims of sexual harassment. Trainers typically spend weeks alone with trainees on the road, where the two often have to sleep in the same cab. Critics of same-sex training acknowledge that sexual harassment is a problem, but they say trucking companies should address it with better vetting and anti-harassment programs. Employers could reduce the risk of harassment by paying for trainees to sleep in a hotel room, which some companies already do. Women made up 4.8 percent of the 1.37 million truck drivers in the United States in 2021, according to the most recent government statistics, up from 4 percent a decade earlier. Long-haul truck driving can be a demanding job. Drivers are away from home for days. Yet some women say they are attracted to it because it can pay around $50,000 a year, with experienced drivers making a lot more. Truck driving generally pays more than many other jobs that don’t require a college degree, including those in retail stores, warehouses or child care centers.

The infrastructure act of 2021 required the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to set up an advisory board to support women pursuing trucking careers and identify practices that keep women out of the profession. Robin Hutcheson, the administrator of the agency, said requiring same-sex training would appear to be a barrier to entry. “If that is happening, that would be something that we would want to take a look at,” she said in an interview. Ms. Streeter, a mother of three, said she had applied to Stevens because it hired people straight out of trucking school. She told Stevens representatives that she was willing to be trained by a man, but to no avail. Bruce Dean, general counsel at Stevens, denied the allegations in the suit. “The fundamental premise in the charge — that Stevens Transport Inc. only allows women trainers to train women trainees — is false,” he said in a statement, adding that the company “has had a cross-gender training program, where both men and women trainers train female trainees, for decades.” Some legal experts said that, although same-sex training was ruled unlawful in only one federal court, trucking companies would struggle to defend such policies before other judges. Under federal employment discrimination law, employers can seek special legal exemptions to treat women differently from men, but courts have granted them very rarely. “Basically, what the law says is that a company needs to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,” said Deborah Brake, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh who specializes in employment and gender law. “They need to be able to give women equal employment opportunities and prevent and remedy sexual harassment.” Ms. Streeter said she had made meager earnings from infrequent truck driving gigs while hoping to get a position at Stevens. Later this month, she will become a driver in the trucking fleet of a large retailer. Kim Howard, one of the other women who filed the E.E.O.C. complaint against Stevens, said she was attracted to truck driving by the prospect of a steady wage after working for decades as an actor in New York. “It was very much a blow,” she said of being rejected because of the training policy. “I honestly don’t know how I financially made it through.” Ms. Howard, who is now employed at another trucking company, said she had worked briefly at a company where she was trained by two men who treated her well. “It’s quite possible for a woman to be trained by a man, and a man to be a professional about what the job is,” she said. Other female drivers said they had been mistreated by male trainers who could be relentlessly dismissive and sometimes refused to teach them important skills, like reversing a truck with a large trailer attached. Rowan Kannard, a truck driver from Wisconsin who is not involved in the complaint against Stevens, said a male trainer had spent little time training her on a run to California in 2019. At a truck stop where she felt unsafe, Ms. Kannard said, the trainer demanded that she leave the cab — and then locked her out. She asked to stop the training and was flown back to Wisconsin. Yet she said she did not believe that same-sex training for women was necessary. “Some of these men that are training, they should probably go through a course.” Click the article to read more. The author is Peter Eavis.

[savage-rhi]

Wesker: Redfield, our instruments measured that you were driving 100 mph in one of STARS jeeps.

Chris: sorry captain, but the speed limit does not apply when the free bird solo comes on.

@rebelwithoutaclock Coming up! To read the other STARS shenanigans drabbles, here they are 1, 2, 3,

"Alright everyone, gather around. Let's make this mid-week huddle a quick one," Wesker hollered, gesturing with his right hand for everyone in the STARs unit to come into the meeting room.

He took off his shades, rubbing his eyes while mentally bracing himself. Between his nefarious obligations to Umbrella and trying to run a police department, he could feel the exhaustion creeping in. A wave of regret pooled in the back of his subconscious, wishing he had the foresight years ago to not work two jobs. Alas, he made his bed and had to lie in it. That didn't mean he didn't have an intrusive thought or two about cleaning up shop as far as the RPD was concerned, especially with the shenanigans the STARs team in particular pulled.

For being the best, they sure aren't the brightest...he thought as he made himself comfortable in front of the podium, watching the team members take their usual seats. He put his glasses back on and cleared his throat.

"First thing on the agenda is the lightsaber incident," Wesker couldn't believe he was saying this aloud and shook his head. "Mr. Vickers, when you're on patrol and see a group of teens reenacting a movie scene, that doesn't mean you stop your vehicle and join them. Especially when you're in the middle of an investigation. Might I add the delay in your scheduled flight with Mr. Sullivan made it so Ms. Chambers took one for the team and covered your ass."

Quiet snickers filled the room as Brad's face blushed. He wanted to shrink into a puddle and disappear, wondering who ratted him out. All he could do was meekly reply, "Y-yes sir…I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

"Good," Wesker stated. He ignored the fact that Rebecca herself patted Brad's knee and whispered 'it was alright,' too focused on Chris, who was unable to keep a straight face compared to his colleagues. "Redfield, earlier this week our instruments measured that you were driving a hundred miles per hour in one of our STARS jeeps. Care to explain?"

Jill and Barry, sitting on either side of Chris, quietly chuckled at Chris's expense, earning a quick glare from him before he forced himself to look at Wesker.

"Sorry, captain," Chris coughed. "But the speed limit does not apply when the 'Free Bird' solo comes on."

Barry and Jill bowed their heads in front of the table, their shoulders quaking as they tried to hold back their laughs. Even members of the Bravo team were having difficulty keeping it together at the visual alone.

"You know what else doesn't apply, Redfield?" Wesker asked as a matter of fact.

"I don't know, sir," Chris gestured. "Enlighten me."

"The time-off request you submitted last week. Consider it tabled for insubordination."

"Son of a bitch…!" Chris whispered harshly under his breath.

"And while we are on the subject of cars, Ms. Valentine and Mr. Burton, I'm putting you both on vehicle suspension for the remainder of the week."

"What, why!?" Jill exclaimed.

"But sir--!"

Wesker held up a hand, interrupting their protests. "I doubt Redfield was able to come up with the 'Free Bird' bit on his lonesome. The man is full of colorful ideas, but you two are well known for encouraging him to see it through."

"Shit…"

"Fuck, he got us there," Barry muttered to Jill.

"Mr. Frost," Wesker let out a deep sigh for this one as he once again took off his glasses to rub his eyes. "While you are out on patrol, you can't go around with chalk outlining cars and trucks that don't park within the lines in a parking lot or park to the curb exactly with an exclamation of 'asshole parking' and proceed to ticket."

"But it's a good warning system!" Joseph glared and shrugged. "If they can't parallel park for shit, then they had it coming! If you would've put me on another assignment instead of having me play meter boy, we wouldn't be having this conversation!"

"Mr. Frost, get over yourself," Wesker growled. "I know you're angered that I set you on this task, but need I remind you what the alternative would've been?"

"All because I started the whole 'Wesker shits standing up' bit? Man, you need to take a joke!"

"Enough!" Wesker raised his voice. Whatever was left of the chuckles and laughs ceased immediately. He felt a sense of pride rise in his body as well as his blood pressure, and let out a deep breath. "Alright people, let's take five, and we'll meet back here to cover the recent cannibal attacks."

As the STARs Alpha and Bravo teams single filed out of the room, Wesker thought he had a moment of peace until he heard Joseph holler:

"I still stand by what I said, Wesker shits standing up everyone!"

Wesker made a fist, his teeth clenched.

The thought of siccing a pack of Cerberus onto the man was beginning to sound more and more delicious with each passing minute. He smirked to himself, riding on the high from the visuals that came and went through his mind of Joseph being ripped apart.

Maybe Birkin and I can brainstorm later…

If you like my work and feel generous, feel free to donate to my ko-fi account or my cash app account!

Cash App: $JayRex1463

[batboyblog]

The Biden administration on Wednesday issued one of the most significant climate regulations in the nation’s history, a rule designed to ensure that the majority of new passenger cars and light trucks sold in the United States are all-electric or hybrids by 2032.

Cars and other forms of transportation are, together, the largest single source of carbon emissions generated by the United States, pollution that is driving climate change and that helped to make 2023 the hottest year in recorded history. Electric vehicles are central to President Biden’s strategy to confront global warming, which calls for cutting the nation’s emissions in half by the end of this decade. But E.V.s have also become politicized and are becoming an issue in the 2024 presidential campaign.

“Three years ago, I set an ambitious target: that half of all new cars and trucks sold in 2030 would be zero-emission,” said Mr. Biden in a statement. “Together, we’ve made historic progress. Hundreds of new expanded factories across the country. Hundreds of billions in private investment and thousands of good-paying union jobs. And we’ll meet my goal for 2030 and race forward in the years ahead.”

The rule increasingly limits the amount of pollution allowed from tailpipes over time so that, by 2032, more than half the new cars sold in the United States would most likely be zero-emissions vehicles in order for carmakers to meet the standards.

That would avoid more than seven billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 30 years, according to the E.P.A. That’s the equivalent of removing a year’s worth of all the greenhouse gases generated by the United States, the country that has historically pumped the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The regulation would provide nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits to society, according to the agency, including $13 billion of annual public health benefits thanks to improved air quality.

The standards would also save the average American driver about $6,000 in reduced fuel and maintenance over the life of a vehicle, the E.P.A. estimated.

The auto emissions rule is the most impactful of four major climate regulations from the Biden administration, including restrictions on emissions from power plants, trucks and methane leaks from oil and gas wells. The rules come on top of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest climate law in the nation’s history, which is providing at least $370 billion in federal incentives to support clean energy, including tax credits to buyers of electric vehicles.

The policies are intended to help the country meet Mr. Biden’s target of cutting U.S. greenhouse emissions in half by 2030 and eliminating them by 2050. Climate scientists say all major economies must do the same if the world is to avert the most deadly and costly effects of climate change.

“These standards form what we see as a historic climate grand slam for the Biden administration,” said Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund, a political action committee that aims to advance environmental causes.

Mr. Bapna’s group has calculated that the four regulations, combined with the Inflation Reduction Act, would reduce the nation’s greenhouse emissions 42 percent by 2030, getting the country most of the way to Mr. Biden’s 2030 target.

Get in Losers we're going to save the planet.

[cirolik]

People always assume that if we provided all necessities for everyone then all trade workers would just stop working and honestly that couldn't be further from the truth. Maybe this comes from their own idea that they would stop working and that's something for they themselves to look into why they feel that way.

Back to my point tho: the majority of tradesworkers I k ow don't do it because they have to. They do it because they love it. I personally know retired carpenters who go out and do probono work just for fun and the satisfaction of helping someone else. Hell, I do probono work just for fun and the pleasure of helping someone else.

Ir seems like people cannot imagine a world where people work to provide for everyone instead of just 1 guy or some board of directors.

Billions of dollars go to war and genocide, billions go to just a few people, we produce more food right now than the whole world needs, there are more empty houses than homeless people in the United States. And you're telling me that there is nobody who would tackle the logistical problem of getting everyone everything they need? You think every truck driver would just Instantly stop driving? We get it. Your job sucks and you hate your life and you're so disconnected from the actual product of your labor that you can't see any impact it has on the world. Maybe it doesn't even have an impact at all. But that doesn't mean everyone is like that, stop thinking so individualistically and maybe try thinking about other people as well, people.

[fluentmoviequoter]

If You Want to Leave

Requested Here!

Pairing: John Casey x fem!wife!reader

Summary: Casey tries to leave without telling you, but you walk in before he can. An argument ensues, and you invite him to leave, if that's what he really wants.

Warnings: angst, argument, accusations of lying and not loving one another, brief fluff at the end bc Casey needs love

Word Count: 1.4k+ words

A/N: I envisioned this taking place before Chuck s1 and the Intersect project, but that's up for your interpretation! I would also like to politely ask you to ignore the fact that this gif is Jayne Cobb; there aren't enough of Casey and I couldn't find one that fit the story.

“Major Casey, you need to get out of the country,” his superior says.

“You want me to run from a fight?” Casey replies. “That’s not-“

“It is not running from a fight, Major. It is preserving your life and keeping others out of danger. I’m no longer in a position to do more than recommend you get out while you still can, but if you stay, you’re endangering far more people than just yourself.”

Casey nods once before he leaves the office. He messed up; one tiny mistake by taking out the wrong enemy agent has ruined everything. As Casey drives to his small cottage miles away, where he thought everything would be safe and separated, he knows what he has to do. If he doesn’t leave now, he’ll lose everything. Again.

Casey leaves the truck running as he enters what used to be his home. This stationing was supposed to be permanent, allowing him to settle just enough as he worked through the ranks and continued fieldwork when and how he pleased. Yet, here he is, packing the last decade of his life into a duffel bag. He ignores the pictures on the mantle and the made bed that he will never sleep in again and focuses only on taking what he needs. No reminders, no evidence, and nothing that will make this situation worse than it already is. With his clothes, gun, and every piece of identification stowed in the large duffel bag, he zips it and prepares to say a goodbye that won’t be heard but will be felt.

You return home early and see Casey’s work truck in the driveway. It’s still running, so you assume he forgot something and is heading back out. The idea of Casey, a highly trained government agent, forgetting something makes you smile. On the bright side, you can see him briefly before he returns to work.

As you enter the open front door, you’re startled to see pictures and books haphazardly strewn throughout the living room. Whatever Casey forgot must have been easily misplaced you think as you walk through the hallway. Casey’s back is to you as he zips a duffel bag. The box that usually sits under his side of the bed is no longer in its place, and you have no trouble deducing what is happening. Casey didn’t forget anything except you.

“You’re leaving?” you ask.

Casey turns quickly, and his nostrils flare when he sees you. Clearly, this wasn’t part of his escape plan. 

“Were you going to tell me?”

Casey shakes his head and turns to the bag on your previously shared bed. He flips through a faded copy of Moby Dick until he finds his United States-issued passport. You walk to his side and lay your hand over his.

“How long are you leaving?”

“Forever,” Casey grunts as he pulls his hand away.

“What?” you question incredulously. “John, that’s-“

“I know.”

“You don’t know,” you argue. “You were going to leave without telling me anything! I know that you have a duty, a job that you care about more than anything, but I- this- us! We have to mean something to you, too.”

“Why do you think I’m leaving?” he snaps.

You step back and cross your arms. The wedding picture on your nightstand taunts you, and you lay it face down before you take a deep breath.

“Was this the plan all along? To marry me, have me around, lie to me, until it was time to move on?” you ask with your back to Casey.

“Of course not,” he answers roughly.

“Really? Because packing a duffel bag to leave me while I’m not here doesn’t align with the whole ‘til death do us part thing, does it, John?”

“You don’t understand.”

“You’re right. And I never will, because whether you want to admit or not, you always knew I was a temporary fixture.”

Casey huffs as he pulls the duffel bag over his shoulder. You follow him to the door but nearly run into his back when he stops.

“There is nothing worth waiting for,” you remind him. “You made sure of that.”

He turns perpendicular to you and looks at the home and the life he is abandoning. 

“Why are you leaving, Casey?” you ask softly, letting your guard down in the final moment with him. “I think I deserve the truth about that at least.”

The accusation that he has lied about anything within your relationship multiplies the emotions Casey is feeling and hiding. He’s become an expert in lying and manipulating the truth to fit what he needs it to be, but that’s work. You and your marriage were separate, the only real thing Casey had.

“You want to know why I’m leaving?” Casey asks. “Because I’m not good for you! There is a target on your back because of me!” he explains, not caring that his voice rises.

“Casey,” you begin.

“No,” he interrupts, shaking his head as he turns to face you. “I will not lose you. I can leave all of this, the house, the pictures, the perfect little life, but I will not put you in a position to be taken away from me forever.”

“That’s exactly what you’re doing, Casey,” you argue gently. “If you leave, there is nothing between me and the people aiming at that target. You told me from the beginning that this could happen. But if you leave me now, you and I both know, you’re leaving me just like you’re leaving the house.”

Casey shakes his head and grunts as he drops the duffel bag beside his feet. “No,” he insists. “This is the best option.”

You rub your forehead and say, “If you want to leave, just go. I love you, Casey, but I can’t live like this. I can’t spend the rest of my life wondering when this will happen; when you will just leave me without a word and never come back. I’ve been by your side for years, supporting you and your job and everything that comes with it, but I can’t do this. The constant fear of not knowing is worse than any target someone could put on me.”

Casey’s chest rises and falls as he breathes deeply. He watches your eyes as you talk and hates that he created the fear and insecurity in them. Even if he does leave when this is over, he can’t let you think that his leaving has anything to do with how he feels for you, loves you, or the idea he doesn’t want to be with you.

“So, Casey,” you begin.

Your voice breaks as you fight to hold your tears in, and Casey closes the distance between you. He places his hands on either side of your face, his palms resting against your cheeks as his fingers slide behind your ears. As you look up at him and move forward, Casey dips his chin and kisses you. It’s not like the other kisses you’ve shared; it’s passionate, desperate, loving, and devastating at the same time. You grasp Casey’s wrists before you move your hands to his shirt and push yourself against his chest. Watching Casey leave will break you and destroy everything you’ve learned to love about yourself, him, and life. And, despite how good this kiss is and everything Casey says without speaking, it will not get you through this. Not if it’s the last one you ever get.

Casey pulls away slowly, but his hands remain on your face as he looks into your eyes. You’re breathless, pliant in his hold. He doesn’t move, but if he’s still going to leave, you can’t handle a withdrawn goodbye any better than coming home to an empty house.

“Casey?” you whisper.

“What do I do?” he asks quietly. “I messed up, and now you’re in danger no matter where I am.”

“As much as I want to, I can’t tell you what to do.”

“They’ll give me a new assignment when I get stateside.” Casey pauses and looks at the ring on your left hand. “Get in the truck.”

He pulls you into another kiss before you can ask him any questions. You understand what it’s like to be part of Casey’s world, never knowing what he’s doing or if he’ll be home. But you need to stay with Casey because you love him, and even if he did leave without a word, it wouldn’t change that.

[nostalgebraist-autoresponder]

More bullshit interview questions:

Explain how a compass works.

How would you explain leap years to a kindergarten class?

Do you think man ever really went to the moon? Explain your answer.

Describe the difference between real estate and personal property. How are they similar?

Why do banks charge a fee for check overdrafts? Is this fair?

Do you believe in life after death? Explain.

Is there any place in America that has never been explored by humans? Where?

Does it matter if the Jones Act is repealed? Explain your answer.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Why?

What are the three primary causes of WW2?

Do you believe in Bigfoot? Why or why not?

What percentage of the population in your state is in the military? How do you know?

What percentage of the population in your state works for the government? How do you know?

Should parole be eliminated? Explain your answer.

What direction do rivers usually flow? Why?

What's wrong with the way the government runs?

Do you think the U.S. government has ever been secretly controlled by a dictator? How could you prove it?

Describe a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

How many tools does a mechanic typically need to do his job?

What's the difference between a car and a truck? Explain your answer.

How do you determine whether to support a political candidate?

If the U.S. Census were conducted using only postal workers, how many people would be counted? Why?

Is it better to be loved or feared? Explain your answer.

Why do you think some states have higher rates of alcoholism than others?

Is our current banking system better or worse than it was 100 years ago? Explain your answer.

Can you think of a law that isn't enforceable?

Who is the most important person in America? Explain your answer.

What causes earthquakes?

What would happen if the government could print an unlimited amount of money?

Can an adult go through life without ever breaking the law? Why or why not?

Is it better to be born poor or to be born rich? Explain your answer.

At what age should someone be allowed to vote? Why?

What's the best part about the work you do?

If you won the lottery, would you continue working? Why or why not?

What candidate for public office are you most afraid of? Why?

Is there ever a time when it's OK to lie? Explain your answer.

Should a person's right to vote be based on education or income? Why?

If you won the lottery, would you continue working? Explain your answer.

If the world were to be destroyed in 30 minutes and there were only enough resources to save one of these three things, which would you choose? A: Art B: Computers C: Music

What would happen if we abolished the income tax?

Describe the best boss you ever had. What made that person so special?

Is there an age limit on the right to drive? Why or why not?

Do you believe in luck? Explain your answer.

What trait do you think is most important for a politician to have?

Describe a mistake you made and what you learned from it.

Is there such a thing as work-life balance?

Describe a project you've worked on that didn't turn out as planned.

What do you like and dislike about your current job?

What's the number one quality a person should have to be president of the United States?

What is your opinion on affirmative action?

What makes a good boss?

How would you explain leap years to a kindergarten class?

Does it matter if the Jones Act is repealed? Explain your answer.

Validate something that your interviewer says. Why?

Do you think man ever really went to the moon? Explain your answer.

Can an adult go through life without ever breaking the law? Why or why not?

Regardless of what you believe politically, what is your opinion on the death penalty?

Do you believe in Bigfoot? Why or why not?

Is there any place in America that has never been explored by humans? Where?

[ . . . ]

Describe something you did in high school that you would never do again.

(From Gawker)

[foone]

So here's my game idea. It's not going to be my next game, because I'm already committed to Untitled Dairy Farm Game (It's Complicated), but it might be the one after that.

Provisional title: Lunar Sunrise

Genre: car mechanic simulator (think My Summer Car, Mon Bazou, Junkyard Truck, Longest Drive, My Garage)

Setting: The sparsely settled moon. The distant future, the year 1997.

The moon is full of scientists hard at work on a major project called the NanoFall. The earth is currently inaccessible, the people in hibernation or in bunkers beneath the surface, the weather is out of control. There's about 10 million people living on the moon, the deserts of Mars, the jungles of Venus, and various space stations around the inner planets. The moon is in theory "in charge" of this big mess, but it's really a loose confederation of smaller governments. There's no ongoing conflicts, humanity is mostly united over the whole "fixing the earth" problem.

You can't help with that. You're 15. One of the first generations born in the moon, your parents are important and very busy scientists working on the NanoFall. You have completed your schooling early, so you have plenty of free time.

So you decide to do what many teenagers of decades past have done: you want to build a sweet hotrod. Only, it's the future and on the moon, so you're not building a car, you're building a spaceship.

You take odd jobs (delivering supplies, mining for ice, or fixing automated robotic buggies) to get money to buy parts from the junkyards. The moon has been inhabited for nearly 50 years at this point, and there's plenty of old parts sitting in scrapyards to be scavenged and used to build your spaceship. You alternate between doing jobs for money, buying new parts, and building and upgrading your rocket. Once your rocket is functional, you can use it to take on more jobs on the moon, to make more money and eventually make it functional enough to leave the moon. Speaking of which...

Your goal: to complete a spaceship and go visit Mars or Venus, so you can hang out with some other teens your age. The moon is mainly scientists and robots, and that gets boring fast.

You're going to build a nuclear thermal rocket. They're relatively simple, as rockets go. You basically have a huge tank of hydrogen and a nuclear reactor. You run the hydrogen through the reactor, which heats it up and it shoots out the back of your ship. Simple, powerful, and perfectly suited for the moon where you don't really have to deal with issues like "whoops you accidentally irradiated Seattle with your radioactive exhaust".

The idea is that it's a sort of Heinleinpunk. Especially The Rolling Stones, his 1952 novel about a family on the moon, and the twin teenagers who build a rocket to take their family to Mars.

To explain the whole "child endangerment" thing, one aspect of the setting is that death is pretty much solved. Everyone on the moon has nanotech that can back-up their memories in case of death, and they've got cloning to rebuild bodies. If you run out of oxygen 20 miles from the nearest outpost, your brain gets put into a sort of digital saved state and a robot is deployed to go grab your body. It's brought back, and you're downloaded into a new clone body. You just lose some time and money, and maybe a stern reminder to be more careful next time.

Sound like fun?

[chaotic-archaeologist]

Hi Reid!

I recently finished my undergrad, double major history/anthro w a minor (kinda, its complex lol) in animal studies. Im volunteering at a university zooarchaeo lab, since thats what I wanna do, but I'm searching for history/archival/archaeo work bc I Need To Be Paid and really struggling since I don't have a drivers license yet and can't leave where I'm at rn anyway bc of my lab volunteering which is every week (also im working on a GIS cert too so... cant leave city for like 8-10 day shifts lol). Its getting *quite* demoralizing im ngl, esp since I have an undiagnosed fatigue condition on top of it all so stuff like minimum wage customer service isnt suuuuper an option for me tbh.

Was wondering if you had any advice for the archaeologists coming out of undergrad?

If not, a strange history fact that might make me laugh will suffice /j (ya boy needs a laugh)

From,

Currently Sitting In A Tree, Listening to Unreal Earth by Hozier

Hi dirtling, I'm afraid that I don't have great news for you. My answer is going to be more or less the same as the one I gave in this post, which essentially boils down to: you need to go to grad school if you want to be employed in this field.

Working in pretty much any anthropology job is going to require at least a Master's degree, especially ones that require such specialized knowledge like zooarchaeology. Please go look at the post I linked above, because I outlined a good approach for figuring out what kind of qualifications you're going to need.

Also, pretty much every archaeology fieldwork job listing out there is going to require a valid driver's license (at least in the United States). They cannot legally require you to have your own car, but being able to drive a company/crew car (and sometimes a truck and/or a trailer) is a skill that Cultural Resource Management companies are going to be looking for, if you decide to go that route. Lab jobs might be different, but they're less common that fieldwork positions.

I'm sorry—I know this probably isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but somebody needs to give you a realistic assessment of the anthropology job market. Ideally this would've been mentioned as part of your undergraduate education, but better late than never.

There are options out there for you—I really believe that. If you choose not to go to grad school right now or ever, an anthropology degree can be parlayed into any number of jobs that involve understanding humans and culture: public relations, human resources, marketing/advertising, demographics analysis, etc. The GIS cert is also a very marketable skill. Here's a good webpage to look at.

As for a historical fun fact, check out this Smithsonian article about bread that was made with yeast and a recipe from ancient Egypt!

-Reid

[identifying-cars-in-posts]

Can you tell me a fun fact about 2002 GMC Sonoma? I named my cat after this old truck at my old job and Im wondering if theres cool lore

sure, in fact i love the sonoma so much i’ll give you two!

the gmc sonoma was built on the same platform as the chevrolet s10, and both had suv versions in the gmc jimmy and chevy blazer. these models go back to the early 1980s and were some of the first domestically-built small trucks in the US. they succeeded the chevrolet LUV, one of the first two minitrucks sold in the united states, which was essentially a reskinned isuzu. smaller japanese cars were becoming popular in the 1970s because of their superior fuel economy and more convenient driving experience, so american car manufacturers rushed to meet the demand by collaborating with companies like mazda and isuzu and mitsubishi. the first generations of the american-made s10 and sonoma dropped in 1982, beating ford to the punch by a year and officially becoming the first domestic minitrucks in america

the first gen gmc sonoma was also the base for the first compact “muscle truck” - a minitruck with the guts and therefore performance of a muscle car - the gmc syclone! it was one of the fastest production cars in the world upon its release, famously beating a ferrari 348 in multiple drag races

[cdlhunter]

They all need to be saved! Can you name the trucks and models of each? #rescueme #missthosedays #thosewerethedays #truckstop #cdl #cdlhunter #salvaged 📲 Call or text us at (347) 878-2591 for a driving job  (at United States) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqJCTeuJofW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[conradscrime]

National Park Nightmare: Jane Constantino

April 18, 2023

Jane Constantino was born in 1947 and grew up in Long Island. Jane moved to New York to attend college, and after graduating she worked for several years as a social worker. 

Jane soon grew tired of her life and knew she wanted more -- she wanted to travel around the world and see things, experience things, live life to the fullest. Jane traveled to Europe, where she met a man there who was from Denver, Colorado. 

Jane fell quickly and the two returned to the United States and continued their relationship, eventually getting married. Jane moved to Colorado, but unfortunately their marriage only lasted two years. 

The end of her marriage though did not mean that Jane was going to leave the Denver area, she actually loved Denver and had loved the area so decided to continue living there by herself. She rented a small apartment and took up a job as a waitress, working 6-7 days a week to be able to afford this apartment. 

Jane lived minimally, driving a new car, wearing second hand clothes, while saving most of her money. She wanted to use the money to travel and explore. Jane earned a lot of tips, some saying she was one of the best waitresses they had. 

Jane began getting feelings that she was not going to live to be an old lady, instead she felt that her time on Earth was short and that she was going to die young. Because of this premonition, Jane wanted to live life to the fullest and have as many experiences as she possibly could. 

She would work like a dog for the majority of the year, and then take a few months off so that she could travel. Due to her having all of these wonderful experiences exploring and travelling the world, Jane had run into a few near death situations. 

In 1974, Jane was 27 years old and went to Wyoming to climb the Teton mountain range. She was struck by lightening at 14,000 feet, and she clung to the side of the mountain. She walked down to the nearest ranger station, where she had been burned incredibly badly. 

Jane had to stay in the hospital for almost a month, leaving with a huge scar which she called her “Badge of Life.” 

Jane actually had a fear of drowning, and water, despite her seemingly fearless in nature. Jane actually began kayaking, despite almost drowning in Alaska. She also conquered her fear of water by scuba diving. 

Her third brush with death happened when she fell in Yosemite, while climbing, only leaving with a broken ankle and a concussion. 

Jane took up bicycling, wanting to bicycle from Nova Scotia to New York. She almost died during this, getting hit by a truck. She was only in the hospital for a few days, and then left and finished her bike ride to New York. 

In 1979, she was 32 years old, and kept climbing mountains and bicycling. Jane then began to feel like she was slowing down, her previous injuries starting to ache. Jane then rode from Denver to New York with her brother. Jane then wanted to ride from Denver to Washington in the same summer. 

Jane was going to ride solo from Denver to Cape Alava, in Olympic National Park. Jane made plans with her friends in Seattle, to meet up with them on July 24, 1979 after she had finished this journey on Cape Alava. 

On July 23, 1979, the park had a lot of hikers, and a group of hikers noticed a woman who appeared to have fainted in the middle of a trail. The woman had not fainted, she had actually been stabbed multiple times. This woman was Jane Constantino. 

The hikers notified authorities immediately. Authorities discovered Jane had been stabbed 6 times in the chest, she was still clothed and there appeared to be no signs of sexual assault. They initially believed she must of known her killer, that this was a crime of passion or had been stalked. 

Authorities believed a man was her killer, as Jane was extremely strong and fit due to her physical activity, they determined it was unlikely that a woman would not be able to have overpowered her. 

News quickly spread about the fact that a dangerous person was likely still in that area, as it appeared Jane had recently died when the hikers found her. Other hikers were notified of this, especially women hikers who were travelling alone. One woman told authorities that before Jane was discovered, she was hiking alone in the same area when a weird man approached her from behind. 

She described him as being in his 30′s-40′s, wearing a purple t-shirt, but had a dark demeanour. He had curly hair that was sticking out from a cowboy hat and he was large, over 6 feet tall. The man told her he was a photographer from Playboy and offered $50 for her to pose nude for him right there in the park. 

As she was about to say no, the man noticed another woman, and immediately dropped the conversation, leaving the original woman free to get out of there as quickly as possible. The woman said she was almost sure the other woman the man noticed was Jane Constantino. 

The authorities soon came across this man wearing a purple shirt, and although the shirt did not appear to have any blood on it, it was soaking wet. They searched the man but he refused to answer any questions, only stating that his name was Dale Harrison. While searching they found Dale had rope and a hunting knife with him. 

Dale was arrested and because the crime took place on national property, the FBI took over the case. Dale was visiting the park that day, and originally lived in a small farming town in Washington. He had been arrested several times before, 20 years ago, including molesting young girls. 

Dale’s purple shirt had been dunked in ocean water, but there was blood on some of the fibres. The hunting knife matched the wounds on Jane, and several hikers picked him out of a lineup. Dale played dumb at first, claiming he didn’t know a murder had taken place. 

He then changed his story and said he had witnessed the murder, but was not a part of it. He said he did not come forward because he thought he would be looked at as a suspect. 

One of Dale’s friends came forward claiming Dale had told him about a fantasy he had about finding a woman alone in a park, tying her up, and making her his sex slave. Dale’s friend also claimed Dale had asked him to join in on this fantasy, though the friend did not want to be a part of this. 

Dale went to trial in 1980, and was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. Ann Rule, famous true crime writer who wrote about Ted Bundy, also wrote about Jane’s case in one of her books, theorizing that perhaps Dale did not intend to actually murder Jane, rather he wanted to play out this sex slave submissive fantasy, and perhaps Jane fought back due to her being incredibly fit and strong, and Dale was not prepared for this, making him angry and lashing out to kill her. 

 Jane was the first person in the Olympic park’s 42 year history to be murdered, she died at 32 years old, meaning her premonition of dying young was right. 

[mightyflamethrower]

Concerns Mount Over Exploding Electric Vehicles

1 day ago

Guest Blogger

65 Comments

From the DAILY SCEPTIC

BY CHRIS MORRISON

Safety concerns around electric vehicles continue to mount with Australian fire and rescue services in New South Wales stating they might have to make a “tactical disengagement” of a trapped car accident victim if the battery is likely to explode. Australian journalist Jo Nova covered the story, which was first mentioned in the EV blog The Driven, and commented: “They say the first responders need more training as if this can be solved with a certificate, but the dark truth is they’re talking about training the firemen and the truck drivers to recognise when they have to abandon the rescue.”

The Driven, a widely-read blog that seems highly sympathetic to a rollout of EVs, was reporting on recent testimony given to the NSW Government’s Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Batteries Inquiry. The writer suggested that first responders did not have adequate training to deal with electric vehicle collisions, and in the most serious cases, crews could be forced to abandon rescues. One particular area of concern seemed to revolve around the need to extract a trapped casualty quickly after a crash by dragging the person out in a “very undesirable manner”. Fires are a grave risk in any vehicle accident, but they can be quickly brought under control in an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

Worries about the potential dangers inherent in EVs is likely to grow as numbers on the roads continue to rise. EV battery explosions can occur very quickly, triggering the release of highly toxic gases. When they roar into thermal overdrive, they create very high temperatures and are very difficult to extinguish. The explosion can occur after almost any collision, or be due to a fault in the initial manufacture. The fire often takes hours to control and it can reignited days after it was thought to be out. With Net Zero fanatics desperate to drive ICE cars off the road in short order, EVs are the only mass private transport solution offered. Many of the issues, including safety, that make them an inferior product compared to petrol-powered combustion cars are often ignored.

Just what can be involved in putting out a fire in an EV was dramatically detailed in a recent press release from the Wakefield Fire Dept in Massachusetts. It was called out to deal with a burning Tesla on a snowy Interstate 95, and reported:

Wakefield Engine 1 and Ladder 1 initiated suppression operations, applying copious amounts of water onto the vehicle. Multiple surrounding mutual aid communities responded as well to support firefighting operations and to create a water shuttle to bring water continually to the scene. Engines from Melrose, Stoneham, Reading, Lynnfield as well as a Middleton water tanker assisted. Firefighters had three 1¾-inch hand lines as well as a ‘blitz gun’ in operation to cool the battery compartment… Lynnfield crews established a continuous 4-inch supply line from Vernon Street up to the highway. The fire was declared under control and fully extinguished after about two and a half hours… The vehicle was removed from the scene after consulting with the Hazmat Unit… The crews did a great job, especially in the middle of storm conditions – on a busy highway.

There is little doubt that EV fires are on the rise. In the U.K., CE Safety runs Freedom of Information checks on local fire brigades and its latest survey shows an alarming rise in conflagrations. In Greater London in the 2017-2022 period, there were a reported 507 battery fires from a number of EV types, but CE Safety found a “gigantic” 219 conflagrations in 2022-23 alone. Lancashire was said to rank second with 15 EV battery fires, but this was 10 more in a single year than recorded in the five years between 2017-2022. Overall “it was concerning” to discover that the number of electric battery fires during 2022-2023 was higher in most areas than the data showed over five years from 2017 to 2022. During that year, 14 buses suffered battery fires.

There was a substantial increase in the number of e-bikes catching fire, with CE Safety noting that lithium is highly flammable and reactive. “Over-charging presents a massive risk to households with lithium-powered vehicles,” the safety organisation observed.

Concern is also rising over the transportation of EVs on car ferries. Recently, Havila Kystruten, which operates a fleet of car ferries around the coast of Norway, has banned the transportation of electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles. According to a report in the Maritime Executive, it is the latest step by the shipping industry, “which has become acutely aware of the increasing danger of transporting EV and other alternate fuel vessels”.

Havila’s Managing Director Bent Martini said a risk analysis had shown a fire at sea in a fossil fuel vehicle could be handled by on-board systems. “A possible fire in electric, hybrid or hydrogen cars will require external rescue efforts and could put people on board and the ships at risk,” he said. That of course is the nightmare scenario. If fire breaks out on a ferry making a 20-mile crossing in good weather, the chances of all passengers and crew surviving are good. Less good, perhaps, if fire was to break out and fill the ship with toxic smoke in the middle of a stormy November night while crossing the Bay of Biscay. Chances of survival would be diminished if the high temperatures caused nearby EVs to explode.

Mercifully, we are less and less likely to see such accidents. The list of disadvantages of EVs is lengthening by the day. Environmental concerns about the manufacture and mining of raw materials have been raised, while ‘range anxiety’ is common among drivers. EVs are more expensive than ICE cars, while knackered batteries mean that second-hand values are very poor. For those who would see the back of them, the graph below might provide some comfort.

This shows the recent decline in the share price of the American car hire giant Hertz. Back in 2021, the company pushed ahead with huge purchases of Teslas. In January it dumped 20,000 of them, and last month pushed another 10,000 onto a sagging second-hand market. Out in the real world – the world where people create wealth by providing what other people actually want – fewer drivers seemed willing to hire them. The share price tells its own sorry story. Meanwhile, EV sales across Europe tend to be driven by unsustainable tax breaks, while the cars are mainly popular with wealthy people as a second or third city runabout. An enforced political adoption of EVs is likely to destroy vast swathes of the European car industry, unable to compete with cheap Chinese imports.

If the aim is to take away personal transport for the masses, EVs are an excellent idea. Whether that will ultimately play well at the ballot box is another matter.

Chris Morrison is the Daily Sceptic’s Environment Editor.

I would not be able to sleep at night knowing I had a ticking time bomb parked in my garage.

[ghostflowerdreams]

Writing Research - Truck Driver

This is for all the writers that want to write about or have a character who is a truck driver. I hope this helps you a lot. 

This list of links contains information on how to become one, types of truck drivers, how much they earn, what kind of food they eat, how they get clean, what kind of dangers they face, what a day in their life is like, and so on.

How To Become A Truck Driver?

LearnHowToBecome - How to Become a Truck Driver

Smart Trucking - How to Become a Truck Driver in the US: 10 Steps to Getting Your CDL

wikiHow - How to Become a Truck Driver

Berks Technical Institute (BTI) - How to Become a Truck Driver

Trucking Truth Blog - So You’re Thinking About Becoming A Truck Driver?

FCC - What Types of Truck Drivers Are There?

US Truck Driver Training School Inc. - Trucking 101 – Types of Trucking Companies

How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?

LearnHowToBecome - Truck Driver Salary Guide | How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in the United States?

Prime Inc. - How Much Money Do Truck Drivers Make?

Trucking Truth Blog - Truck Driver Salary: The Complete Guide

AllTrucking - First Year Truck Driver Salary

CloudTrucks - 9 Highest Paying Trucking Salaries of 2022

MigWay - How Much Money Do Truck Drivers Make in 2022?

Drive My Way - 11 Types of Truck Driver Pay Explained

Truckstop - Truck Driver Salary: Top Paying Jobs (By State & Freight Type)

Youtube: The Rideshare Guy - Truck Driver Salary: Here's What It's REALLY Like to Be a Truck Driver!! [video]

A Day In The Life Of A Truck Driver...

Flock Freight - A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver

Energy Transportation Group - A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver

John Greene Logistics Company (JGLC) - A Day in the Life as a Truck Driver

CRST The Transportation Solution - A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver

Migway - A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver

EpicVue - A Day In The Life of a Truck Driver: What to Expect

Carlile - A Day in the Life of an Alaskan Truck Driver

Youtube: CNBC Make It - I Bring In $144K A Year Driving Trucks | On The Job [video]

Youtube: Trucker Josh VLOGS - My Trucking Life | A DAY IN THE LIFE | #2228 | March 4, 2021 [video]

The CDL School - What is the Typical Day in the Life of a Truck Driver?

Business Insider - See photos of a day in the life of a married trucking couple making $125,000 a year [photos]

Youtube: HISTORY - Ice Road Truckers: Ready To Roll (Season 1, Episode 1) | Full Episode [video]

The News Wheel - On the Job: What Is It Like Being a Truck Driver?

Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation - A Day in the Life of a Truck Driver

Southwest Truck Driving School - A Day in the Life of a Trucker

Youtube: Eiver2 Trucker - A Week of my Life/ My Passion/ Truck Driver [video]

Youtube: She Someone Special - What It’s Like Being A OTR Female Truck Driver+ Pros & Cons + Storytime + Being A Young Trucker [video]

NewsNation - Behind the wheel: A day in the life of a big rig driver [video]

lily - Female Truck Drivers Archives: Lily Transportation

Youtube: Happiness By The Mile - A Day in the Life | Over The Road Trucker (Trucking Vlog 001) [video]

Youtube: Grtruckingdemolitionllc - A day in the life of a heavy haul trucker | kenworth moving oversize load [video]

Youtube: Kayla Taylor Trucking - A Day In The Life Of A Truck Driver / Drop and Hook / Weighing and Sliding Tandems / Fueling + More [video]

Youtube: Niesha K - A Detailed Day in the Life of a TRUCK DRIVER | Laid Back [video]

Youtube: ALEX THE TRUCKING GUY - a REAL day in the life of a U.S truck driver (POV 626 miles Indiana to Nebraska) - [vlog #104] [video]

Youtube: Eliante and Kayla - A Day In The Life Of A Woman Truck Driver | Eliante and Kayla [video]

Reddit: I Am A - IAMA New Long Haul Trucker, Ask Me Anything.

Youtube: Trucker Jay in the UK - New job new truck London [video]

Youtube: mark pritchard - A day in the life of a UK truck driver. [video]

Youtube: Trucker Cassie - Full Day Winter Vlog: Sweden [video]

Youtube: Angelica Larsson - A Day as a Real (Swedish) Trucker: What we do [video]

Youtube: Iwona Blecharczyk - Mój pierwszy ładunek! My first load (Polish Trucker) [video]

Youtube: Sheila Bellaver Caminhoneira - Na Vibe Da Estrada!! Saindo Empresa Rumo SÃO PAULO! (Brazilian Trucker) [video]

Youtube: Parul TV - Truck Driver in Canada Punjabi Life Daily Routine [video]

Youtube: PinoyTruckDriver Japan - Japan Truckers| Pinoy trucker Japan [video]

Youtube: LifeWithTracyB - A Day in the Life of Husband and Wife Team Truck Drivers! [video]

Youtube: Driver Solutions - Trucking: Day In The Life Of A Married Couple On Truck [video]

Youtube: Bair's on the Road - Day in the life: Truck driver & wife [video]

Female Truck Drivers

The Trucking Scribe - Dealing with Period Aches and Pains for Women Truck Drivers

The Trucking Scribe - Feel Better on Your Period, Tips for Female Truck Drivers

Trucking Truth - Handling Your Ladies Time On The Road…

Fueloyal - Female Truck Driver – Trucking Career Challenges and Importance

Youtube: Niesha K - Period Tips for Female Truckers + MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE [video]

Matheson - Is it Safe for Women to be Truck Drivers? Myths Busted.

Business Insider - Truckers say they’re denied bathrooms on the job, forcing female drivers to take creative measures to relieve themselves

NPR - What women truckers can tell us about living and working alone [audio]

Women in Trucking - How Safe Do Female Drivers Feel On the Road?

Business Insider - Female truckers describe the extra precautions they take to stay safe on the road — from disguising their gender and avoiding tight clothes to carrying weapons

Trucking Truth - Women In Trucking: Tips For Safety and Comfort

Kelly Struck - Female Truck Driver Safety: 27 Tips to Keep You Safe on the Road

Reddit: Truckers - What’s it like being a female trucker

Youtube: Big Trucker Bre - Pros & Cons To Truck Driving | Female Edition [video]

Reddit: Truckers - I’m [19F] interested in trucking… how safe do y’all lady truckers feel?

Reddit: Truckers - The fucked up shit women drivers have to deal with…

Reddit: I Am A - IAmA former female truck driver, AMA

Reddit: Ask Me Anything - I’m a 23yo female long haul truck driver. AMA

Youtube: YOU LOVE INDIA - A day in the life of a female truck driver| pallet fell out the truck [video]

How Do Truck Drivers’ Eat?

Schneider - Grocery list for truck drivers with ready-to-eat, no-prep foods

Logity Dispatch - What Do Truck Drivers Eat on the Road

Heavy Duty Trucking - How Truck Drivers Can Eat Healthy on the Road

HMD Trucking - A List of Healthy Meals for Truck Drivers

Prime Inc. - Healthy & Simple Truck Driver Food Ideas

Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) - Healthy Eating Tips Truck Drivers [pdf]

CloudTrucks - 13 Healthy Snacks for Truck Drivers

Trucking Truth - The Complete Guide To A Career In Trucking: How can I eat healthy on the road? Will I be able to cook my own meals?

Knight Transportation - Top Healthy Diets for Truck Drivers

Smart Trucking - Healthy Snacks For Truckers – 15 Simple Ideas For On the Road

Healthy Truck - Healthier Living (and Eating) for the Long-Haul

Garmin - How to Stay Healthy as a Truck Driver on the Road

How Do Truck Drivers Stay Clean & Use The Bathroom?

Truckers Insider - How do trucker do laundry?

Big Rig HQ - Where Do Truckers Wash Clothes While On The Road?

Trucking Truth - I Shower How Often? What Is Personal Hygiene Like On The Road

Schneider - What kind of clothes do truck drivers wear?

Team Run Smart - Laundry Tips For Truckers

Trucking Truth - The Complete Guide To A Career In Trucking: Life on the road: Showers, bathroom breaks, & personal hygiene

Prime Inc. - All About Truck Stop Showers: Tips For Showering On the Road

CTC Trucking - Everything You Need To Know About Truck Stop Showers

Schneider - Where do truck drivers shower? And other common questions

CloudTrucks - Where do Truck Drivers Sleep?

CDL Training Spot - Where Do Truck Drivers Shower?

TruckersGoods - How To Get Free Showers At Truck Stops? (Best Places List)

Truckers Insiders - How do truck drivers shower? Travel tips from the Pros

FreightWaves - Can I use the bathroom? The answer for truckers is often ‘No’

CDL Training Spot - Where Do Truckers Pee? Get Ready For The Truth

The Trucking Scribe - How Do Female Truck Drivers Pee When There Is No Restroom?

Big Rig HQ - How Do Truck Drivers Use The Bathroom While On The Road?

Truck Drivers’ Advice & Tips

Trucking Truth - The Complete Guide To A Career In Trucking: Rookie Drivers: Tips, Tricks, & Surviving your First Year On The Road

Smart Trucking - 7 Things You Need To Know About Your First Year as a New Truck Driver

CloudTrucks - Tips For New Truck Drivers: Starting Your Career Strong

Trucking Truth - Important Truths for Rookie Drivers: Surviving Your First 6 Months

Schneider - 6 truck driving tips from experienced truckers

USA Today - These truck drivers have mastered road trips. Here are their pro tips.

Trucking Truth - Trying To Teach Proper Driver Forecasting

Schneider - 8 truck driver trip planning tips

Chevin Fleet Solutions - 10 essential winter driving tips for truck drivers [infographic]

Schneider - 6 leading truck driver budget and money saving tips

DRS Truck Sales - 5 Smart Money Saving Tips For Truckers

TransForce - 5 Budgeting Tips for Truck Drivers

The Lanier Law Firm - 50 Tips for Truck Drivers

Smart Trucking - Trucker Tips Master Guide: Expert Advice From Experienced Truck Drivers

The Trucking Scribe - Hobbies for Women Truck Drivers in Small Spaces

Porter Freight Funding - Most Popular Hobbies for Truck Drivers

Knight Transportation - 7 Hobbies for Truck Drivers and How to Start Them

Schneider - What do truckers do for fun on the road?

Smart Trucking - Team Driving Jobs | A Professional Truck Driver’s

GuideTrucking Truth - Dispelling The Myths Of Team Driving

Youtube: Ebony Swope - Couples Truck Driving | Day in the Life - Team Driving [video]

HMD Trucking - What Is Team Driving and How Does It Work? (Updated October, 2022)

Drive Knight - Top 10 Benefits of Truck Driving With Pets

ATBS - Tips for Trucking With Pets

Reddit: Truckers - A question for truckers who ride with pets…

CloudTrucks - Trucking Life with Dogs: Traveling Tips + Breed Recommendations

HMD - Best Pets for Truck Drivers

Reddit: Truckers - Pets?

Trucking Truth - Tips For Trucking With Your Pets

PRIME Inc. - 5 Advantages of Truck Driving With Pets

The Trucker - Dogs, cats, other pets can provide drivers with companionship, other benefits on the road but require care and caution

Reddit: Trucker Cats - Please give all tips and tricks for having a trucker cat. I’ll be riding with my boyfriend soon and we are bringing our cat. Any advice? Litter box, leash, or both? If litter box, where? Plus I’d love to see any cool setups for your furry riders’ litter boxes and beds.

Miscellaneous

Yuma Truck Driving School - An Intro to CB Radio for Truckers

Apex Capital Corp - Talk Like a Trucker: A Guide to Trucking Lingo

Top Mark Funding - Guide to CB Radio Lingo & Trucker Slang

Smart Trucking - Learn How to Talk CB Lingo Like a Trucker, C’Mon!

Freightech - Tricking Industry Slang and Terms

Trucker Country - CB Terminology And Trucker Slang

New York Post - Australia’s ‘hottest trucker’ makes $63K-a-year from OnlyFans

New York Post - Hot pink Brazilian truck driver racks up 2 million followers transporting fruit

Truck Driver Institute - How to be Successful at Truck Driving with a Child

Healthy Trucking of America - Can a Mom be a Professional Truck Driver?

TruckDrivingJobs - Truck Driving With Children Passengers

Trucking Truth - How is the truck driver's family affected?

Prime Inc. - For Trucker Families | Being A Truck Driver With A Family

Logity Dispatch - Can a Child Ride in a Commercial Truck?

Napier Truck Driver Training Inc. - Staying In Touch With Family As A Truck Driver

Overdrive - Driver held at gunpoint, cargo pilfered: How to avoid being an easy mark in dangerous times

TransForce - 6 Tips to Prevent Semi Truck Cargo Theft

Drive My Way - 8 Dangers of Being a Truck Driver (And How to Avoid Them!)

Smart Trucking - The Deadly Dangers in Truck Driving Jobs That You Probably Didn’t Know Existed

TCI Transportation - Common Dangers Truckers Face Every Day

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Workplace hazards of truck drivers [pdf]

Prime Inc. - What Is Team Driving Life? Pros & Cons of Team Driving

Schneider - Team truck driving jobs: What is Team truck driving?

FleetOwner - LGBT truckers share tales from the road

Rolling Stone - Inside the Growing World of Queer Truckers

[doctorwyvern]

You're a firefighter? What's it like?

this has been in my ask box for almost a year now oops

this is going to be quite the ramble.

being a firefighter (especially where i live in conservative rural pennsylvania) is interesting

i’m a young firefighter, still a junior and still learning. it’s real tough being the only (CLOSETED) queer +trans +disabled person in the whole department.. despite my disability i still go on fire calls (though now i go on the less interesting and intense ones)

here’s some stories from my years

i remember my first ever call so clearly, everyone was so mad, it was chaos, it was pitch black, and there was a whole group of girls who were giggling and laughing (they had been in the crash but were uninjured) i was giving them candy out of my pockets- but on the other side of the road the drunk man who hit them was holding back tears and asking if everyone was alright and that he was so very sorry (no one was critically injured)

a local restaurant burned to the ground, and this place was a huge castle themed restaurant which was a real fuckin doozy and a pain in the ass. but everyone loved that place, including my nana. the coolers were still intact when the fire was out and we saved so much food from the place, and so much booze (god like whole kegs just spewing everywhere ; so gross). we managed to save a tin knight statue from the building before we had to tear it down. the owner told us to keep it. we were there until late and an old woman who lived across the street sheltered us in her garage and made us coffee and pancakes. my musical director at school told me that musical was more important than “whatever (i) do on my weekends” i rolled almost 900 feet of 5inch hose that day. i ached for weeks. (still proud of that)

i remember the screams of a family begging for us to look for their father in the building. the guy they were looking for was actually right across the street and wasn’t ever in the building. the sisters held each other and cried on the side of the road while their brothers pulled what belongings they could out of the (extinguished) building. it was easter and the whole family was wearing white. those brothers took like 3 rifles just from their living room and the big deer head they had mounted on the wall. i saw it all while i was packing hose on the roof of the truck. shit was crazy

putting some facts and the more heavy stuff under the cut

winter of last year i saw my first death. no one knew what happened until we got there. he had been sitting there for hours over the bank near a youth camp. he was driving home from the grocery store, with soup for his wife. i watched the coroner (in all her cheerfulness ) zip up his body bag. i haven’t told anyone about this but my parents. i was congratulated as the toughest guy in the station by the other juniors for not even frowning. that man was in his 20s. i still remember his face. i had geometry homework due the next day.

—————————————————————————

this got way darker than i wanted it to but that’s the job. I wanted to help people just like my father, and his dad before him (and practically my whole family)

support your local fire department. the only good cop is a fire marshal!

Volunteers comprise 65% of firefighters in the United States. Of the total estimated 1,041,200 firefighters across the country, 676,900 are volunteer.

85% of fire departments are volunteer or mostly volunteer and protect approximately one third of the population. That’s 18,873 stations out of the 29,452 nationwide.

the leading causes of death amongst firefighters is cancer, heart disease, and stress. Outside of the department however, firefighters are more often taken by suicide. a total of 48 deaths were from accidents on scene last year. however in 2022, 100-200 deaths were from suicide. 1. 2 3

remember clean gear is safe gear. dirty gear is UNCOOL

Please volunteer or donate to your local fire company today. every bit of help counts.