Disclaimer: Truckin’ On is an unofficial newsletter published every month in the interest of serving Air Force active duty, civilian and retired vehicle operations

and maintenance personnel. Articles submitted by its contributors are not to be considered official statements by the U.S. Air Force.

1 Jun 2015

Dedicated to the Men and Women of

AF Vehicle Operations & Maintenance — Past, Present, and Future

Truckin’ on

Special Points of Interest:

Quest for Zero — PG 1

Automakers — PG 1-2

Inside this issue:

Spotlight on Keesler PG 3

2015 Fleet Master Award PG 4

Best & Leading Fleets —Correction

PG 5

Drivers Wanted PG 6

Government Fleet Top News PG 7

Fleet Solutions PG 8

Walmart’s New Truck PG 9

Yesterday’s Dollars; Today’s Buying Power

PG 9

Driverless and Road Legal PG 10

Roadside Assistance App PG 11

Jay Leno’s Garage PG 11

The Sunday Drive PG 12

Automakers Want to Outlaw Gearheads

From Working on Their Own Cars

by Kit Daniels | Infowars.com on April 20, 2015

Car companies seek copyright restrictions to stop car enthusiasts, home mechanics

Claiming that modern vehicles are “too complex” for home mechanics to fix, automakers are seeking copyright restrictions to prevent gearheads from working on their own cars. The Association of Global Automakers, a lobbying firm for 12 manufacturers, is

asking the U.S. Copyright Office to prevent car owners from accessing “computer

programs that control the functioning of a motorized land vehicle, including personal

automobiles, commercial motor vehicles, and agricultural machinery, for purposes of

lawful diagnosis and repair, or aftermarket personalization, modification, or other

improvement.”

“In order to modify automotive software for the purpose of ‘diagnosis and repair, or

aftermarket personalization, modification, or other improvement,’ the modifier must

use a substantial amount of the copyrighted software – copying the software is at

issue after all, not wholly replacing it,” the AGA claimed. “Because the ‘heart,’ if not

the entirety, of the copyrighted work will remain in the modified copy, the amount and

substantiality of the portion copied strongly indicates that the proposed uses are not

fair.”

Auto Alliance, which also represents 12 automobile manufacturers, is also asking the

agency to scrap exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act that allow car

enthusiasts to modify and tune their rides. Continued on PG 2

Editor’s Note: Quest for Zero

replaced 101 Critical Days of Summer

campaign.

See story and slides:

Quest for Zero puts year-round focus on

safety

Quest for Zero — Air Force Ground Safety

Management

Automakers Want to Outlaw Gearheads

From Working on Their Own Cars

“Allowing vehicle owners to add and remove [electronic control]

programs at whim is highly likely to take vehicles out of

compliance with [federal] requirements, rendering the operation

or re-sale of the vehicle legally problematic,” Auto Alliance

claimed in a statement. “The decision to employ access controls

to hinder unauthorized ‘tinkering’ with these vital computer

programs is necessary in order to protect the safety and

security of drivers and passengers and to reduce the level of

non-compliance with regulatory standards.”

But people have been working on their own cars since cars

were invented.

“It’s not a new thing to be able to repair and modify cars,” a staff

attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Kit Walsh,

said. “It’s actually a new thing to keep people from doing it.”

Interestingly, this attack on the do-it-yourself auto hobby

coincides with the current push towards self-driving cars, and

who do you think will resist autonomous cars the most? Auto

hobbyists, such as hot rodders, drag racers and home tuners.

“The biggest threat to our hobby is those people in powerful

situations who’s idea of a great day out in their car is to spend it

riding in the back seat while someone else handles the driving

‘chore’ for them,” a hot rodder said on the subject. “These are

the same people who will ban ‘old junk’ from the roads, enforce

’50 miles per gallon’ standards on new, and then older vehicles,

and eventually force everyone to drive ‘standardized’ cars that

will fit precisely in parking spaces, take up the minimum space

on public roads, and follow all the ‘environmentally friendly’

buzz words while boring real car drivers like us to death.”

And the first step to keep people from behind the steering wheel

is to keep them from opening the hood.

Related Article:

Automakers to gearheads: Stop repairing cars by Pete Bigelow l autoblog

See website: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/20/automakers-gearheads-car-repairs/

Continued from PG 1

2

81st vehicle maintenance keeps Keesler rolling

by Senior Airman Holly Mansfield

81st Training Wing Public Affairs

3/17/2015 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The sound

of wrenches turning, engines rumbling and Airmen talking shop

are some of the things you might hear when you walk into the

81st Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance flight.

But what does it really take to be part of the crew of more than

40 people who keep Keesler's government vehicles rolling?

For Senior Airman Kenneth Carter, vehicle maintenance

technician, all you need is hard work, dedication and little

laughter to make each vehicle get back to its home quickly.

"I was stationed in Korea before I came to Keesler and it was so

much different there," said Carter. "Everything from simply

driving the vehicles to the language barrier; it was all so

different."

The vehicle maintenance Airmen have the opportunity to care

for different types of vehicles each day. From generator trailers

to cranes, no matter the size, these vehicles need to be brought

in, repaired and put back into the fleet in a timely and efficient

manner.

"We work on trucks, buses, vans, cranes, security forces cars,

generator trailers and other types of vehicles," said Carter. "It's

nice to have the variety because it helps me outside of work. I

get to see the different car issues and put those problem-solving

skills toward fixing my own vehicle."

The vehicle maintenance flight manages the fleet of more than

420 vehicles by working together as a team. Utilizing each

other's skills helps each Airman learn the proper way of doing

any task, whether it's changing the oil in a police cruiser or

rebuilding an engine from a truck.

The emphasis on attention to detail required by Keesler vehicle

maintenance Airmen helps them become better Airmen, as well

as better mechanics.

With the recent Air Education and Training Command's Senior

Leader Conference, Carter was able to show his superiors how

he uses his work ethic to repair vehicles while mentoring other

Airmen in the shop.

"Carter's work ethic and willingness to step up and go above

and beyond are major factors on why he was recognized by the

2nd Air Force command chief," said Timothy Gray, vehicle

maintenance fleet manager.

"He worked all the inspections and repairs for the recalled

vehicle operations fleet, helping to ensure they had the correct

amount of vehicles for their customers."

Using their training and expertise to provide a working, reliable

fleet of vehicles, the members of the 81st LRS vehicle

maintenance flight make certain that Keesler can continue its

mission of training, fighting and winning.

Additional photos can be viewed at:

http://www.keesler.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123441978

Senior Airman Kenneth Carter, 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician, repairs a security forces truck March 11, 2015, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The more than 40 member vehicle maintenance flight repair and oversee more than 420 government vehicles that belong to Keesler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Holly Mansfield)

Airman Claude Milsap III and Senior Airman Kenneth Carter, 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technicians, repair a security forces truck March 11, 2015, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The more than 40 member vehicle maintenance flight repair and oversee more than 420 government vehicles that belong to Keesler. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Holly Mansfield)

Spotlight on Keesler

3

2015 Fleet Master Award

MANATEE COUNTY WINS 2015 FLEET MASTER AWARD

Manatee County (Fla.) Fleet Services has been awarded the 2015 Fleet Master Award by Construction Equipment and the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) March 20, 2015

Manatee County (Fla.) Fleet Services has been awarded the 2015 Fleet Master Award

by Construction Equipment and the Association of Equipment Management

Professionals (AEMP). Mike Brennan, CEM, accepted the award during AEMP’s Annual

Conference in Orlando, Fla. This was Manatee's third Fleet Master Award. Read about

Manatee County's previous awards, plus the other past winners.

Manatee County displayed impressive employee training and education. Its team has many ASE-certified crew members, along

with many other specialized training certifications from OEMs. In the past year, Manatee County exhibited superior management of

resources, which saved the county time and financial resources. Manatee also has a selection of electric, hybrid and alternative

fuel vehicles, and applies well-planned preventative maintenance and superior equipment management processes.

“The Fleet Master award recognizes equipment professionals who demonstrate excellence in meeting the unique challenges

inherent to delivering cost-effective and cutting-edge management of mixed fleets of on-road and off-road equipment,” said Rod

Sutton, Construction Equipment’s editorial director. “Nominees are judged according to five major areas within their operation:

finance, information management, policies, controls, and customer service.

Construction Equipment and AEMP have been acknowledging outstanding fleets with the Fleet Master award since 2004. The two

organizations created the award to recognize the impacts professional fleet managers have on the heavy-equipment sector.

Mike Brennan, CEM, is flanked by AEMP chairman Thad Pirtle (left) and Construction Equipment editorial director Rod Sutton.

Editor’s Comments: CMSgt (Ret) Ron Schulhofer (2T1) is the Manatee County Director of Public Works and oversees the Fleet Services Division. Congratulations to the Manatee County team!

4

The table in the right column lists, in rank order, the 2015 100

Best Fleet winners whose fleets are represented by

former and/or current Air Force transporters who serve in

various management positions.

Government Fleet magazine has announced the Leading

Fleets for 2015. The awards program, sponsored by Ford

Motor Company, recognizes operations that are performing at

a high level, particularly in fleet leadership, competitiveness

and efficiency, planning for the future, and overcoming

challenges.

The 50 Leading Fleets represent the best in the industry.

Government Fleet will announce rankings for the top 20 fleets

as well as top fleets in size categories: No. 1 small fleet (499 or

fewer assets), No. 1 mid-size fleet (500-999 assets), and No. 1

large fleet (1,000 or more assets) at The Honors Celebration at

Government Fleet Expo (GFX) June 8-11, 2015 in Denver.

The Leading Fleets and Notable Fleets will be recognized at

GFX during the Honors Celebration, with certificates and

plaques, and with a group photo to be published in the

awards issue of Government Fleet magazine. Public Fleet Hall

of Fame inductees and the Fleet Manager of the Year will also

be honored at the awards ceremony.

The complete list can be viewed at: 100 Best Fleets

Notable Fleets

The complete list can be viewed at: Leading Fleets

Editor’s Comments: Last month we featured the 100 Best Fleets for 2015 and recognized VEMSO for placing # 31 in the final selection. We also acknowledged several fleets that were selected for Government Fleet’s 50 Leading and Notable Fleets (separate award).

Unfortunately, we overlooked other public fleets managed by fellow Air Force transporters that also placed among the 100 Best Fleets and 50 Leading Fleets. We sincerely apologize for our oversight and offer this correction.

Rank Agency Name/Position

# 22 Manatee County, FL CMSgt (Ret) Ron Schulhofer

Director of Public Works

# 31 VEMSO CMSgt (Ret) Randy Livermore

Director, AFELM VEMSO

# 40 Sarasota County, FL CMSgt (Ret) Greg Morris

CEM, Manager Fleet Services

# 42 City of Tampa, FL SMSgt (Ret) Connie White-Arnold

Chief of Operations

# 45 Denver International

Airport (DIA)

CMSgt (Ret) Jeff Booton

Director of Fleet Management

Agency Name/Position

City of Long Beach CMSgt (Ret) Dan Berlenbach

Fleet Services Manager

City of Tampa

Fleet Management

SMSgt (Ret) Connie White-Arnold

Chief of Operations

Hillsborough County, FL Col (Ret) Robert L. Stine

Director Fleet Management/Logistics

Manatee County, FL

Government

CMSgt (Ret) Ron Schulhofer

Director of Public Works

Sarasota County, FL

Government

CMSgt (Ret) Greg Morris

CEM, Manager Fleet Services

Agency Name/Position

Denver International

Airport (DIA)

CMSgt (Ret) Jeff Booton

Director of Fleet Management

5

Editor’s Note: If we’ve missed listing anyone with an Air Force connection for either of these awards, please let me know.

Commentary on Commercial Driver Shortage

by Billy Dover, CMSgt (Ret/2T1)

In December 2014, the American Transportation Research

Institute (ATRI) published a white paper, “Analysis of Truck

Driver Age Demographics Across Two Decades” that clearly

analyzed the underlying factors, barriers and potential solutions

to the current and ever increasing commercial driver shortage.

For a free copy visit: http://atri-online.org/2014/12/03/analysis-of

-truck-driver-age-demographics-across-two-decades/.

Approximately 7 million people hold trucking related jobs in the

U.S. with 3.2 million being employed as truck drivers. The

American Trucking Association currently estimates the truck

driver shortage to be 30,000 to 35,000 with a potential shortage

of 240,000 drivers by 2022.

The current shortage is tough to understand since pay for truck

operators is on par with the U.S. median and the industry

generally offers what are deemed competitive benefits, such as

matching 401(k) contributions and paid holidays off. A wage

recap by type of fleet follows:

While wages are always a factor, there are numerous

influencing factors contributing to the on-going driver shortage.

A major barrier is the 21 year old minimum age limit to obtain a

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for interstate operations.

Simply put, not enough younger drivers are entering the

vocation to offset the losses of the older generations as they

reach retirement age. For example, the median age of private

sector carrier drivers is 52, as they approach retirement age, the

shortage will increase significantly without sufficient younger

drivers entering the workforce.

The American Trucking Association is actively lobbying

governmental decision makers to reduce the minimum age limit

to obtain a CDL to 18, this alone will not solve all the

contributing factors but it will open up the vocation to a major

labor source that is not currently available.

There are a lot of potential problems associated with this age

reduction if stringent training and quality assurance standards

are not part of the program. Many of the major insurance

companies are officially neutral on this subject but

behind-the-scene discussions indicate they are not supportive

due to the increased risk exposure associated with the 18–20

year old age group.

Here at Leavitt’s Freight Service, we’ve obtained our insurance

providers support to establish an 8-week Driver Finishing

Program (DFP) for CDL school students provided they do not

exceed 10% of our workforce. The results are very promising,

those hired through our DFP are performing better from a safety

statistics perspective than our general workforce.

I’m convinced programs of this nature would adequately prepare

those in the 18-20 year old age group for commercial driving.

I’d rather train the inexperienced recruits to do it right rather than

try to break the bad habits of more experienced drivers. This

approach / position is controversial within the industry with

emotions often running high on both sides of the issue. The

“train them the right way at the start” approach is consistent with

my 24-years of active duty 2T1 experience.

I am actively lobbying my Congressman who happens to be the

ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure

committee to support reducing the CDL age to 18. Not sure how

much I can influence the discussion but at some point I’m

confident it will be done when freight isn’t moving and our

economy suffers.

I’d be interested in hearing the opinion of any 2T1s out there

regarding your thoughts on reducing the minimum age to obtain

a CDL to 18.

I can be reached via email at bdover@leavitts.com.

6

Hewlett -Packard Company managing public sector

vehicles & equipment

Maintenance Inefficiencies Costing USPS $21.8M a Year

May 06, 2015

by Paul Clinton

The U.S. Postal Service could reduce its maintenance costs by

$21.8 million a year by improving oversight of its mechanics and

right-sizing staffing at vehicle garages, according to finding by

the U.S. Office of Inspector General.

See full story and audit report at: USPS.

Utilization Studies Do More Than Right-Size Fleets

May 2015, Government Fleet - Feature

by Shelley Mika

Fleets conducting utilization studies can generally expect one of

two outcomes: The results will either help them right-size their

fleet, or it will validate that the fleet already operates with an

optimal number of vehicles. But two fleets, Sarasota County,

Fla., and Denver International Airport in Colorado, discovered a

third outcome: a better understanding of their customers and

their fleet needs.

Although these fleets approached their utilization studies

differently — one conducting an internally performed audit, the

other hiring a consulting firm — they agree they’re both better

as a result of their studies.

See full story at: Utilization Studies

8 Ways to Save Time in the Office

May 2015, Government Fleet - Feature

by Thi Dao

Do you continually find yourself in the office long after everyone

else is gone? Or worrying about an unfinished project while

you’re at home? See full story at: Time

Editor’s Comments: All three of these stories from Government Fleet are interesting; however, I want to draw your attention to the last two in particular.

It’s not often that four former Air Force vehicle managers are featured in just two articles — all Truckin’ On members as well.

Congratulations to CMSgt (Ret) Dan Berlenbach, CMSgt (Ret) Jeff Booton, CMSgt (Ret) Greg Morris, SMSgt (Ret) Gary McLean, and their respective teams. Well done!

Greg Morris, CEM, fleet services manager for Sarasota County, Fla., (center) is pictured here with administrations and acquisitions staffs. Photo courtesy of Sarasota County Fla.

The Denver International Airport recently conducted a utilization study of its fleet, which consists of 1,700 units, including one of the largest snow removal fleets in the nation. Photo by Ron Anderson for DIA.

7

Fleet Solutions

Companies supporting private and public fleets Contributor: Dan Berlenbach, CMSgt (Ret/2T3)

Company intro: https://www.getlocalmotion.com/#Intro

Company websites:

https://www.munirent.co/

https://player.vimeo.com/video/121737334

Click image to activate video Visit website at: http://visionfleet.us/

8

Contributor: Larry tenBensel, GM-13 (Ret/ACC/LGTV)

The Walmart Advanced Vehicle Experience concept truck is

the latest in our fleet efficiency program. The one-of-a-kind

prototype offers a whole package of firsts. The tractor has very

advanced aerodynamics and is powered by a prototype

advanced turbine-powered, range-extending series hybrid

powertrain.

The trailer is made almost exclusively with carbon fiber, saving

around 4,000 pounds which can then be used to carry more

freight.

Editor’s Comments: This YouTube video (right column) was produced over a year ago in Mar 2014; however, it’s still very interesting and well worth watching, although I have yet to see one of these trucks on the highway. More information on this vehicle may be obtained at Walmart’s website: Truck Fleet.

Note: The ad on the left, as I said, is from the 1950s. The

prices listed are obviously for used cars at that time and at

that particular Ford dealer.

The chart above, however, compares those same dollars

from the year of the selected make/model in the ad with

today’s (2015) buying power. So, $125 in 1938, for example,

is equal to $2,080.87 today. It DOES NOT mean that a new

Dodge sold for $125 in 1938.

Yesterday’s Dollars Today’s Buying Power

Editor’s Comments: Chief (Ret) Carl Hunsinger sent this 1950s Ford ad (posted below) to me. I thought it would be interesting to see how these prices, based on each year, translate into 2015 dollars. I used a Consumer Price Index (CPI) calculator to adjust for inflation.

Year Yesterday’s Dollars Today’s Buying Power

1950 $1,395.00 $13,586.91

1949 $1,095.00 $10,799.18

1948 $895.00 $8,716.85

1947 $795.00 $8,367.89

1946 $695.00 $8,363.75

1942 $395.00 $5,688.05

1939 $175.00 $2,955.13

1938 $125.00 $2,080.87

9

Freightliner launches first-ever road-legal North American autonomous truck

by Jack Roberts / May 5, 2015

Contributor: Billy Dover, CMSgt (Ret/2T1)

Freightliner did it.

If you’re one of the many in trucking who scoffed at the idea of a

commercially-viable self-driving truck, or at best figured such

technology was years — if not decades — away, you need to

reset your expectations.

At a press event today at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

outside Las Vegas, NV, Freightliner, in conjunction with the

State of Nevada and its governor, Brian Sandovall, launched the

Inspiration, a new, autonomous truck.

The truck is commercially viable. But more importantly, thanks to

legislative steps taken by Nevada, it is completely legal to

operate Nevada highways.

The Inspiration is not yet

available for purchase and is

still in its testing phase. But it

will no longer be relegated to

test-tracks and cordoned-off

test roads. This truck will run

in, mix with, cruise with public

traffic all throughout the state

of Nevada as Freightliner

engineers test its capabilities and refine its operating

parameters.

The conventional wisdom in trucking was that Europe would be

the proving ground for autonomous truck technology and

development.

But Martin Daum, CEO Daimler Trucks, said Nevada’s bold

move prompted Freightliner to aggressively target North

America as the new autonomous truck frontier.

That decision ultimately led to this event in Las Vegas today —

the single largest, and most expensive press launch in Daimler’s

entire 100-plus year history.

Details on the Inspiration model are still scarce and more

information will be revealed over the next day or two as the

event unfolds. Follow CCJ and Overdrive, as well

as @JackRobertsCCJ and @TruckNewsJJ on Twitter for addi-

tional details.

Also, Freightliner communications manager David Giroux will

appear on ABC’s Good Morning America, tomorrow (May 6)

with a live report from Las Vegas and additional Inspiration

details and news.

Be sure to check out this cool website too: Freightliner

Editor’s Note: This article was published on May 5,

2015, so the reference to David Giroux’s appearance on

ABC’s Good Morning America is obviously outdated.

Editorial

While driverless trucks may very well happen, I am not

optimistic that we’ll see them anytime soon. I have a lot of

questions as to how we might integrate a driverless truck

into the traffic congestion of today’s roadways.

We have speed management tools in place that report

every time we have a hard brake or roll stability event. As

I’m sure you know, these events are triggered when we

have a sudden deceleration or G-force that exceeds ECM

parameters. The number of sudden stop/roll stability events

are scary and one of my main focuses relates to reducing

and/or eliminating these occurrences.

We follow up on every event and as a general rule sudden

stops are caused by other vehicles pulling out in front of us,

stopped traffic due to congestions, or cutting us off on the

roadways. The roll stability flags are normally associated

with going too fast in reduced speed zones associated with

road construction, curves, etc. Since so many of these

issues are created by the other vehicle or physical aspects

of the roads, this will present a unique challenge for

driverless technology.

Billy Dover, CMSgt (Ret/2T1)

Leavitt’s Freight Service

Freightliner unveiled the first U.S.-legal autonomous truck Tuesday afternoon

10

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Editor’s Note: Chief (Ret) George McElwain contributed

this video. It’s long, over 18 minutes, but for car buffs it’s time

well spent. This “Derelict” 1948 Buick convertible is not what it

appears to be on the surface. Watch and see what I mean.

11

Remembering a family tradition

By Roger Storman, SMSgt (Ret/2T3)

It seems the older I get the more nostalgic I become. The

past, somehow, appears to have been better to me and, in

many ways, it really wasn’t. But what is a fact is that we had

more time for each other; there simply wasn’t as many

distractions as there are today.

Growing up in the 50s and 60s, we had two sources of

entertainment — radio and TV. Radio had been the primary

means of news and entertainment in the home for decades.

Then in the early 1950s TV burst onto the mass market and

gradually replaced it….rabbit ears, three channels, black and

white with a snowy picture. TV stations typically signed off

around 11:00 P.M. after the national anthem.

My point is that TV was rudimentary, limited, and it wasn’t the

center of our lives, although the quality of entertainment might

have been better than it is today….just my personal opinion.

I also remember that on Friday nights our parents played

cards with relatives while we kids enjoyed board games. We

played outside a lot too, even after dark. Kick the can was a

favorite. So what does all of this have to do with cars?

Well, Sunday afternoon was reserved for the weekly ‘Sunday

drive.’ My parents would load all of us into the car and off we

would go — somewhere.

I was young then, but in hindsight it seems to me that we

didn’t have any particular destination in mind. We might drive

to a nearby lake for a picnic, go to the coast, an amusement

park, or just enjoy an ice cream at a Tastee Freez. We

definitely didn’t spend time at the mall because they didn’t

exist then, at least not where I grew up in rural Maine.

So, how did we keep ourselves entertained in the car during

these Sunday afternoon excursions? Remember, we didn’t

have iPads, iPods, DVD players, or smart phones.

Two activities come to mind: Sometimes my dad would buy us

“whirligigs” or what some might call pinwheels (look it up). We

would hold them out of the car window and let the wind spin

them around. Another activity was counting out-of-state

license plates. Exciting stuff, right?

One thing I remember is that cars, particularly tires, were not

as reliable then. Tires were bias ply with a liner and inner

tube. Many times my dad would have to pull over to fix a flat.

He would jack-up the car with a bumper jack, remove the

wheel, deflate the tube completely, remove it from the rim and

break out the patching kit, an essential item in those days.

Then he would locate the hole, scuff it a little so the patch

would stick, apply the glue and the pre-cut patch, and then

apply heat, either with a match or cigarette lighter. The final

steps were to inflate the tube with a hand-operated air pump

and remount the wheel. This was fascinating stuff for a young

boy, but not so much for my dad.

As I was preparing to write this article, I wondered if the

Sunday drive was simply my own family’s tradition or

something more deeply rooted in American society, so I did a

little research. I found a blog by Julie Campoli called, Bring

Back the Sunday Drive.

In her 2007 article she writes, “Although it may not top your list

of leisure activities this summer, in mid-century America, the

Sunday drive was as common as wearing hats and smoking in

public places.

The custom of riding out on a Sunday, long a privilege of the

wealthy, became widespread in the 1920s, when mass

production of automobiles put cars in the hands of the middle

class. Between 1917 and 1923, 15 million Model Ts, rolled off

Ford’s assembly line and became a common sight along

country roads, packed with families in their Sunday best.

Sunday driving remained popular for decades and faded out in

the 1970s. Conventional wisdom blames its demise on the

gas shortages of that decade, but I’m inclined to believe

leisure driving was the victim of a changing built environment.”

So, the Sunday drive was an American tradition after all.

Nowadays, however, gas prices, which she alludes to above,

and a much wider variety of entertainment choices have made

this long standing custom all but extinct. Perhaps weekend RV

camping, although not exactly a fuel efficient activity, has

replaced it. The important thing is that families still get away

and spend time together.

Notice: Convertible, no seatbelts or headrests, and child in front seat

12