Thought I'd share my experiences as I start a new career at 52. By this age, most people would be thinking of retirement and not starting over. I'll try to keep you informed how it goes.
Update on First Truck Ride
Posted 09.06.2008 at 07.12 PM by ParkRanger
I'm not sure I gave a graphic enough impression on what it is to drive a big truck with a big trailer on the road for my first time. For those of you that have been there I hope you can remember it, and for those of you who haven't, here it is.
First, I'm nervous about keeping this big thing between the lines, and shifting (double clutching, rangemaster up and down, etc.), watching those huge mirrors, watching all those gauges, and such. TOO MUCH TO DO! But keeping it between the lines was kind of natural. Looking at the mirrors (I love those convex mirrors) was easy. The big stress was double clutching and finding the correct gear correctly. Plus when you slow down, you could stay in 5th or 6th gear and almost stop before you put in the clutch. I think I was real suprised that you were in about 5th gear before you got up to 25 MPH. We didn't have a load, but they kept us going up and down in gears to practice (which I thought was great), so we didn't get up too fast till the instructor thought we knew what we were doing. We had a little practice on the yard, but taking that big thing around a corner, and watching the trailer clearing it was cool. When I was doing real well, I'd watch the rear trailer wheels just near the line on the inside of a corner. I really have a greater appreciation for big rigs now.
In a lot of ways it was easier than I thought it would be, but I'm glad the first trip is over. But when I got home, my wife thought I was pretty psyched (which I was).
Odd thing was that after stressing out about the truck and trailer, while driving home in my little car, I narrowly avoided 2 accidents because I was anticipating the stupid moves someone next to me might do, and then they did. But since I was waiting for it, I avoided it. Guess the big trucks have to do that a lot.
First, I'm nervous about keeping this big thing between the lines, and shifting (double clutching, rangemaster up and down, etc.), watching those huge mirrors, watching all those gauges, and such. TOO MUCH TO DO! But keeping it between the lines was kind of natural. Looking at the mirrors (I love those convex mirrors) was easy. The big stress was double clutching and finding the correct gear correctly. Plus when you slow down, you could stay in 5th or 6th gear and almost stop before you put in the clutch. I think I was real suprised that you were in about 5th gear before you got up to 25 MPH. We didn't have a load, but they kept us going up and down in gears to practice (which I thought was great), so we didn't get up too fast till the instructor thought we knew what we were doing. We had a little practice on the yard, but taking that big thing around a corner, and watching the trailer clearing it was cool. When I was doing real well, I'd watch the rear trailer wheels just near the line on the inside of a corner. I really have a greater appreciation for big rigs now.
In a lot of ways it was easier than I thought it would be, but I'm glad the first trip is over. But when I got home, my wife thought I was pretty psyched (which I was).
Odd thing was that after stressing out about the truck and trailer, while driving home in my little car, I narrowly avoided 2 accidents because I was anticipating the stupid moves someone next to me might do, and then they did. But since I was waiting for it, I avoided it. Guess the big trucks have to do that a lot.
Total Comments 4
Comments
 |  This is Eagle One's Wife. You'll do just fine. You wont learn everything you need right off. You'll end up learning as you go like Eagle One found out. There are alot of things the schools dont teach you or teach you wrong that whatever company you go with will redo or retrain you for later on. Eagle One still gets into panic situations but thats what the cell phones for, so we talk through it and i use yahoo maps to help him out. He's been driving most of the time without his qualcom cause the satelite keeps going down. They are supposed to get it fixed soon. But whatever you do, dont give up, hang in there. If its what your dream is it will be worth it. I also forgot to mention, Eagle One is 50 and just starting out his new career. There are alot more out there in pre-senior years just starting, so your not alone!  |
Posted 09.10.2008 at 08.41 PM by Eagle One  Updated 09.10.2008 at 08.43 PM by Eagle One (forgot something) |
| |  Thanks! Today will be my third ride! The second was easier as we did more driving and less double clutching. Today we're starting skip shifting. But I think we're doing more little towns and small two lanes. Tell Eagle One "Hello" and I hope he's doing well also. |
| Posted 09.11.2008 at 04.06 AM by ParkRanger |
| | im not even drivin yet, and the anxiety is wellin up in me as the time gets nearer. im originally from minnesota, but been in desert awhile. been thinkin bout those winter mo's icy n nasty. sure do hope it all goes well. i have lots of admiration for you. at 50 to go otr, wow. it gives me hope. thanks. |
| Posted 09.17.2008 at 03.45 PM by BigO |
| | I just finished my fifth drive today. So far I've driven 3 different trucks with 3 different transmissions. I still think it's a little odd to take an inexperienced driver and put them out on the road. but I guess it works. If I were to offer any advice it would be to take your time. I don't know how it's normally taught, but we have learned to read the tach and shift in a certain range. At this point, we're given a little more freedom as long as we understand what we're doing. But the biggest mistake that I see others do (myself as well sometimes), is getting in too much of a hurry to shift and not paying attention to what gear your in, and what one you're going to. Plus, it helps if you have an alternative so if you really blow it and can't get it into gear, know what gear you can get it into at what rev and what speed. I know all of the drivers out there are probably chuckling and can just listen to the engine and know where to go, but I'm not there yet. Plus I think it'll be easier without an instructor sitting there and telling you what to do all of the time. Most of ours are good, but sometimes..... |
| Posted 09.17.2008 at 06.11 PM by ParkRanger |
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