A suggestion (just a suggestion, mind you!) to wannabes from a wannabe.

thats a good sugestion my friend you learn a lot just buy looking , fortunatly i dont no many of old school drivers that will hesatate to help any one in need just wish there were moe of us left.
southernpride

 

Better yet. How many pulled into the pump? Then went inside for 15-30 minutes and never pumped an ounce of fuel.

Your post needs additional clarification as well, since mearly watching a driver....can be very misleading.

A "cluttered" dash, and a trashy dash are not the same thing. I keep my log book, note book, and truck stop guide on mine, within easy reach. Not every truck has "handy" storage.

Carrying bags of what? Unless you check the bag, you have no idea whats in it. My last "stop" on the way out of a truck stop, is to pay for my drink. I ask for a bag while at the counter. I stick my "lunch" (subway or chester) and thermos in, to free up my other hand. Especially if I brought my cup in for a refill too.

I was carrying this "sack" last night (6pm). It had 2 Mtn Dew, one candy bar, and a 3 piece snack in it. I've taken ONE bite out of the candy bar, and the FIRST Mtn Dew, is sitting on my end table now. It's 10:41am

As for the walk around.... I didn't do it at the pump. I parked, then done a more thorough walk around, in a less rushed environment. Which is common for many drivers. Then another, after I got home 4 hours later.

 

During my two weeks out with my trainer, when we fueled, we would do a load check and walk around while the pumps were running. When we finished fueling, we pulled the truck forward to allow the truck behind us to fuel and then run inside to take a leak and grab something to eat. From my observation during my short time on the road, this seemed to be standard operating procedure, as it appeared that everyone did this.

 

Observations are always good. You can tell alot about folks just watching them and seeing how they do things and react. On the flip side, just watching some people could probably tell you nothing about them or how they feel. There could be this guy working for the crappiest company there is and have the worst dispatcher, and without talking to him you would never know it because his attitude is all happy go lucky. Then the other guy, best job etc.....but by just looking at him you would think the world is coming to an end by the scowl on his face. Even though he might have the best things to say about where he works and have an upbeat attitude, the way he/she looks might not convey that. So talking to someone is best. If they brush you off oh well, there are probably 50 more at the same time that will take a minute to talk to you.

 

I'm guilty of the same. However, I apply ONE rule when I go in and grab a quick bite to go.

Do I think I can get it done before the driver behind me finishes ?? If not, I park.

I'm not waiting in line, and I'm keeping my eye on that fuel island.

There are and will always be exceptions to the rule...slow pumps, exit blocked, computers down in the store, etc, etc.

I personally don't want to become part of the reason a driver was 3 minutes late on his delivery appointment.