mistakes that let everyone know youre a rookie

I have a bachelor's degree and I drive a truck. Worked my way through college driving truck in the summers and on breaks.

There are a lot of older drivers entering the industry that are looking for "plan B" or a retirement. I've met truckers with Phd's, Master's degrees, and a ton of experience in other industries or fields of work. I'm one of those, after spending 30+ years in a career track that involved a lot of international travel, working with factories overseas, and owning my own businesses. Now's the time for my own "plan B" and getting back to something I really enjoy without the headaches I left behind (although a new set of headaches)....

 

i don't know where it is.. But there is a video of an overturned truck , being righted by a tow truck. The last thing one thinks about is putting on the parking brake when your tipped over. And there was just enough of a slight hill that when the tow truck righted the tipped over truck.. The truck started to roll down the hill tipping over the tow truck.

 

http://youtu.be/oQQkgRG1asM

 

That's it.. Bet it wasn't a rookie doing it.. But a big rookie mistake.

 

A bachelors degree is second to lowest. All it takes is money and minor competence to achieve. Subject to the quality of the institution granting it.

Mikeeee

 

Some companies are doing better... a lot of companies are being sanctioned right now... I looked up some CSA scores and every one of the major carriers that hires new drivers is being sanctioned except Schneider and Werner. Schneider was already doing well, but Werner has done a HUGE turn around in the last two years. They went from almost being sanctioned to being in the top half in every category.

They are starting to shut down companies and bar the owners from opening new truck companies... not just small outfits... but they closed down a company called covenant that had 400 trucks! The other covenenant... the one we all know... they arent far away either. CR England, Swift, US Xpress... and a bunch of other major carriers are sanctioned for safety problems.

 

Try looking up Swift then... DOT# 52483.

 

I guess the scariest and funniest thing I saw was on I-90 going through wisconsin dells a fed ex pulling doubles lost his rear trailer and it slid perfectly onto the shoulder about 15 miles up ran into him in portage and asked if he was missing anything he didnt even notice it was gone Hmm I think that might get you classified as a rookie or maybe a dumb ###

 

I saw the same thing happen to an Estes driver. He was getting on the highway and dropped his rear trailer. Lucky for him he wasn't going very fast and he was aware that he dropped it. Blocked the on ramp for about a half hour. It's gotta be relieving to not hit anything but shameful and embarrassing to have to call maintenance and explain why you need a set of airlines and light cord.

 

I think the best that I've seen was on Hwy 80 by the San Francisco Bay bridge.. More than just light traffic. A container hauler with a 20 ft container, stretched out the rear wheels but must not have locked the slider. Truck, container and part of chassis about 200 yards ahead of tandems . Big mess.. But rather funny. Glad I wasn't the driver, as most of the traffic would think he was # 1 and show him that fact.