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- Tale Lites Issue 3
Do you Run a CB Radio |
In the Tech Era, the CB Radio is King
When I got my CDL, my dad bought me my first CB Radio. He told me it would be one of the most useful tools I can have, and that all of Lombard Bros. Inc, including my grandfather ran a CB in their truck. Before I started trucking, I had assumed that all trucks were required by some regulation to have them, and when I found that to be untrue I was shocked. I became doubly shocked when I also found out that many large carriers don’t allow their drivers to run CB. In the Marine Corps we’re taught one of the most important thing is having “good comms.” Working in artillery, the first thing you do is throw up antennas, and immediately communication running, so by the time the cannons are in place, you can be ready for a mission. As I began driving, I even learned that veteran drivers keep their CB off, or they don’t run one because it got too annoying, they cast doubt on anyone else actually having one so “what’s the point,” or they got tired of hearing Mud Duck in the Desert.
I can’t remember the exact first time it saved my clock, but the first one I remember was going westbound on I-70 towards Indianapolis, and a driver going eastbound was simply putting a call out that westbound was completely shutdown due to a fatality accident. The driver must have been a veteran because he was saying the specific exit number to get off to route yourself to US-40 to bypass the incident. If that was the only time the CB ever came in handy, then to me it is worth it. I had a Rand McNally GPS connected to wifi, and Google Maps both running, and both would have led me into sitting for hours possibly being late for a delivery. Yet it wasn’t the only time, it helped me dozens and dozens of times, and eventually as I became more sharp, I would reciprocate, offering the heads up to the opposite direction in case I saw an incident. In fact it has turned around my entire day! Being gone for weeks, feeling lonely, a little tired, and when you put that call out on the CB and you get a “Hey thank you Driver” was the ultimate boost of morale.
I got my CB handle when I was shutdown on I-81 in Virginia during a crazy snowstorm. With an accident ahead that was out of sight, I decided to go check Twitter, now known as X, to see if there was any information. I began to pass that information on the CB radio to let drivers know, and when someone tried to get my attention, not knowing my name, he said he was just going to call me “Twitter.” A name I carry proudly, because I love the idea of transparency, and giving information to those in need.
Maybe you’re tired of being called a “window licker” by Mud Duck, or the two drivers arguing has gotten annoying, but when all other technology fails, the CB radio will be there for you. It’s a lot like social media, you will get out of it, what you put into it. I believe the better we can communicate as an industry, the better off we will be in the long run.
I want to hear from you! For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444
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Gord Magill - Veteran Trucker to Write Tell-All book on the Trucking Industry
Gord Magill is a trucker with over 25 years of storied experience in the trucking industry. After his grandfather drove tanks World War Two, he returned home and began working as a mechanic for a trucking company in Hamilton, Ontario, that spurred Gord’s father, uncles, and then himself to work in the industry. In his own words he swears by never having a desire to haul trailers that have doors on them. From his time hauling steel for Earl Paddock’s Transportation, and stint hauling a step deck for the band Kiss, his yearning for even more travel took his trucking overseas. Hauling double log trailers in New Zealand eventually got him to Australia where he got licensed to drive, but didn’t yet have a work visa. He came back to Canada where he trucked 4 seasons on the ice to the most remote parts of Canada through Yellowknife and beyond. Gord did eventually get to live his dream of driving those log trains in Australia, and might still be there if the company wasn’t bought out.
Gord now lives in Upstate New York, where he still did some log trucking, but in his spare time between being married, and having a wife he started writing. He started his own podcast where he has on guests such as author of Sweatshops on Wheels, Michael Belzer, and author of The Big Rig: Trucking and the Decline of the American Dream, by Steve Viscelli. Gord closely followed Canada’s Freedom Convoy, and was on the ground in Ottawa as the largest peaceful protest in North America took place. Gord has contributed to multiple media outlets including Newsweek, The American Conservative, and the American Affairs Journal. He has been a guest on National News, and the Tucker Carlson Show. All of this had led up to this next endeavor which is an offer from a publishing company to write a book. Currently titled “End of the Road” Gord is going to be writing a book that can be best described as the ultimate form of advocacy for the trucking industry. Highlighting the issues of what ultimately led to the Freedom Convoy in Canada, but going deeper into the issues in the industry coming to roost since the passing of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980.
Gord Magill is the trucking industry’s own Thomas Paine
As Gord needs time to focus on this book, and where the publisher has helped him with funding, he has set up a donation page to help supplement his income. You can donate to him at this link
You can follow along with Gord at
Health Tip of the Week
Fighting Fatigue may be as simple as staying Hydrated
When it comes to hydration the first thing we think of is water, which is a good things! But simply consuming a lot of water isn’t actually going to keep you fully hydrated because your body won’t retain the water and will flush it out along with important micronutrients like Vitamins A-Z. To optimize your hydration it takes electrolytes, meaning sodium and potassium. That afternoon slump doesn’t always mean you need more coffee, you could just be deficient in electrolytes! Aim to consumer 1500-2300mg of sodium and 3400mg of potassium per day. You gain some of them through food, but you don’t want to get all of your electrolytes as that can lead to excess calories. Bonus points if you can add magnesium. Try not to get your electrolytes from sugary sports drinks, you can opt for low/no calorie powders and sugar free options instead. Check out this video below that shows how much hydration it takes to complete an Ironman race!
$10 towards your next booking!
Use promo code talelites3 (all lowercase - one time use) at checkout for $10 off your next Truck Parking Club booking at one of our 1400+ Property Member locations!
CONTENT CONTEST WINNER!
Thanks to all who submitted into our January Content Contest! This month’s winner is going to Benjie Burns! A powerful video explaining Jason’s Law, which is part of why we do what we do here at Truck Parking Club.
@benjieburns1975 TruckParkingClub #truckparkingclub #jasonslaw #jason @Truck Parking Club
Honorary Second place goes to Randy Griffen. Great shot!
February Park & Post Content Contest
Good news, we’re running this contest again in February. A dollar for every location we have live on February 28th is on the table!
The submission rules remain the same.
Post a piece of original trucking content on your personal social profile (X, LinkedIn, Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok)
Use #truckparkingclub in the post
Tag the Truck Parking Club account for your post to be eligible.
Content guidelines: It does NOT need to be about Truck Parking Club specifically
Truck Parking Club Partner Program
Do you create content for truckers, and want to help solve the truck parking crisis? Let’s work together! Click below to apply for Truck Parking Club’s Partner Program today!