am I really a truck driver?

I was chatting with another driver one day, and he commented "If you're not doing 600 miles a day, you're not a truck driver".

Bee Ess.

Yes, you are a professional driver. It's some of the whackjobs we see out on the roads daily that are not!

 

Or how about the 1 yr newbie in mega company hood--tellin 6mo newbie @same company--"when you've been out here as long as me with MY record--you can probably get a hood too"

Almost p****d myself! LMAO

 

Use the brakes, normally. The truck wasn't meant to stop on just the trailer brakes, and you could easily find yourself in an... uncomfortable situation.
I use 'em to hold the truck from time to time, but not for stopping. Downshifting is a valuable tool, though quite a few companies balk at the fuel used in doing so.
I don't wear out brakes or tires often, mostly because I pay attention to energy management while I'm driving (let off on the accelerator *before* cresting a hill, etc.) and I don't take curves too fast.
Safest thing is to use the brakes as needed, regardless of what the "Elites" try to tell you. You'll work out your own style as you go, taking the good (and some of the bad at times) from other drivers you encounter over the years.
Also, it's real easy, in the oilfields, to get in over your head. Better to stop and ask for help than to sink your truck in a mire, or even turn it over.

 

1970"s for you too.....or the "60"s"??????

 

I would have done the same thing!

 

Many years ago, the boss would say "Dont use the brakes on my vehicles". Reason- Then the truck would have to be in the shop all the time, NOT ROLLING, so use the hand valve-Trailer Brakes, most times, the trailers are leased, or container, also, they can just give you another trailer, in the mean time, the tractor keeps rolling. Simple.

You have a local job in the oil fields, your the new guy. Before you know it, after maybe 5 years, you`ll be one of them.
You must go along with the guys, LEARN from them. This is your chance to make a great living. Who knows, you might find another job there paying 3 times as much. Buy some of them coffee, or Donuts in the morning, you`d be surprised how far that will get you. Make friends, not enemies, and none of them want to hear you complain. This is your chance, make the best of it. GOOD LUCK.

 

If your job requires the transport of goods and materials to be moved by a truck, and you drive a truck, then that makes you a truck driver. You don't have to listen to the ignorance from arrogant drivers out here.

 

Hey, just wait till you get some time under your belt and you will start seeing some of these OTR driver going thru training at your job to haul water. You will then get your laughs and "revenge"!!! Its always harder for them, we back up more in a day than they do in six months. We are in and out of a truck 15- 20 times a day, running up 15 and 20 foot cat walks, slinging hoses, and getting use to some of that is hard on them. Just wait, you will be the "pro" and have your fair share of amusement at their adjustment. Not to even mention, when you have to work on a rig location thats tighter than hell.

 

What vintage_cowgirl said is true. I pull an end dump local and most OTR drivers don't consider us "real" truck drivers either.

When a OTR driver gets tired of being gone and hires on to drive a dump truck its usually a recipe for some good entertainment since most have never driven a loaded truck off the pavement. They usually wind up stuck, lost, or tearing up equipment.

Don't let what other drivers say bother you. You're gaining skills that will serve you well for the rest of your driving career.