experienced driver wants to tell newer drivers some things

Okay, before I start I want to make this CLEAR to everyone.

I am not saying that anyone who the following applies to is a "bad person", nor am I referring to anyone in particular.

So even though this is going to create a few "sore toes", I ask that noone gets all upset thinking I am on them personally.

Also, this is just an honest opinion.
I'm looking at the "Big Picture".
Sometimes you gots to leave your own "skin" ..... G.O.A.L ..... and see how things look to the general public, employers, and experienced drivers.

That said.........

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I am kind of sad that I am seeing some of the things I do in the industry now.

Not just little "gripes", I mean really troubling "trends" that have the potential to cost lives and property down the road.

First,

It amazes me that people think they are "qualified" when they have little to no experience.
Yes, you learned a lot of BOOK KNOWLEGE in driver school, but you have NO experience.
And you won't for your first FEW years.
To hear someone with 2 or 3 years in trying to argue with a 20+ year driver just makes me sick.
You haven't "earned your bones" til you have lived it for a while.
Even the union shops have Apprentice stage that lasts for a period of time.
And if a driver has a THERMOS that is older than you, or has more miles under it, how's about showing the respect he is due.... he EARNED it.

Second,

I'm really peeved that so many "big companies" have turned into Driver Mills.
They run their own schools, put the rookie out on the road, then starve him so he will quit and just pay them.
Or they just school them without hiring.
Low Brow in my book.

And I won't even address the RACKETTS out there in the world of driving schools today.
Lets just say you need to think of them as a way of getting a CDL and Certificate and nothing more.
THEN you get to go out and learn what you need to know by getting EXPERIENCE "hands on".
.... and we'll just leave it at that.

Third,

Sorry. Gotta talk about drivers.
My BIG question........ Why??
I mean.... just WHY ??
It amazes me that someone with 3 or 4 DUI's, several tickets, and/or several MVC's will actually act hurt when they find out their horrible driving record disqualifies them from driving.
Worse yet, nobody had the scruples to tell them BEFORE they went to driver school that these type things are not acceptable, and now they can't get a job.

Tell me the truth.
If your neighbor had several DUI's/tickest/wrecks... would YOU loan him/her YOUR vehicle to drive ???

Lets' be a little more honest with these folks.
It serves no good purpose to mislead them that they will be acceptable in this profession.
And if they can't "drive right" in a 4-wheeler.....

Fourth,

TRUCKS......
Yes, you have to be able to SHIFT a truck.
It matters not if auto trannys exist, cause they are few and far between.
If you go to school, MAKE them teach you to shift.. or they aren't doing their job.

No, you won't get a new truck.
If you do, buy a lotto ticket right then.
Why?
Cause rookies are substantially more prone to tearing stuff up.
They bend "wind wings" by jackknifing too far, rip off bumpers/hoods/fenders/mirrors, and just generally are HARD on equipment.
Be ready to start your new job in the oldest trucks they have in the fleet.

And here's a news flash.... IT IS A TRUCK.
Most of the hi-tech cr#p i hear people whining about is just added weight.
NO.... it does not need refrigerators, microwaves, surround sound, plasma TV, satellite, and WIFI.
It's not a RV, it's a truck.
TOILETS.... REALLY ????
Stop crying cause the top of the line trucks aren't bought by your company.
Why should they???
Look at your fellow drivers' trucks and be honest... would YOU buy top line trucks for them to trash out and tear up?
I wouldn't.
Top line trucks should be a REWARD to those who can refrain from tearing them up, not a recruiting ploy.



Lastly,

Take EVERY SINGLE THING you hear with a BOX of salt.
Yes, even from "instructors".

False information ABOUNDS on the road. (and internet)
Some by ignorance, some by imagination, and some by DESIGN.

This is the information age.
Check things for yourself... and use REPUTABLE SOURCES instead of wiki and "answer sites".
There is no excuse for the mountain of bad information out there today.


And PLEASE stop WHINING so much.
A bad day trucking beats the hell outta digging ditches with a shovel.

 

Thanks.

Nosir, I don't even know you, so how can I criticise.