In late 2020, somebody promised me that 2021 was going to be better.
While it was (to a degree), I still feel like we were short-changed on the number of brighter tomorrows.
Ever since I got my commercial license more than five years ago, one of the things that I enjoy most about my job is that I get to drive trucks. My role at CCJ since 2016 has changed a lot, but there's still nothing more fun than climbing up in the cab and running off a few hundred miles (or more).
The pandemic shut down a lot of my fun down after March 2020, but I had high hopes for making up time and miles in 2021. What I don't think any of us knew at the time is that the effects of 2020 would linger for as long as they have, and the fallout – including a truck component shortage – would vary as much as it has.
It wasn't as much as I'd hoped but, thankfully, I was able to get some seat time this year.
2021 came out of the gate hot with a new T680. Kenworth in 2012 introduced the T680 as a third-generation aerodynamic conventional tractor and eventual successor to the T660 and T700, and gussied up its technology for 2021 while beefing up its aero (the new T680 is 10% more aerodynamic over the prior generation.)
Back in February, I was able to take the new model around Renton, Washington, before the even truck was formally announced to the public.
