The one thing that terrifies me most about trucking

Changing lanes can be a potential problem at any time and any place. Nothing wrong with having a fear of this. It means you respect the dangers. I know a lot of folks that have these kinds of fears and are driving. Just don't let it paralyze you if you do you might never drive again. Slow and easy with a trainer.

 

This pretty much sums it up IMO

 

Try Carter Express. They haul lots of auto parts out of Laredo, Texas. CDL school in Indiana.
Carolina Logistics in Candler, NC runs lots of west coast. www.carolinalogistic.com
Jim Palmer Trucking - can do lots of west coast runs. School in Missouri or Montana.
Wilson Logistics - lots of west coast runs. School in Missouri or Montana.

 

The more you drive that area the more you will find way AROUND that area...

 

There was always one place I hated with a passion. of course, so did 99% of other drivers too. That was the GW bridge in NYC. I used to go out of my way over to the Tappanzee just to avoid crossing it. I have seen those tollbooths look like bumper cars.

 

Actually, D.C. is the worst area in the nation as fas as traffic goes. I guess all those useless bureaucrats who enjoy creating red tape have a hobby of creating traffic jams, too.

 

Changing lanes in heavy traffic requires two things to do it safely. First, change lanes as early as possible BEFORE you need to take an exit or go around a slower vehicle. Don't wait until the last half mile. In a big rig try to set up AT LEAST a mile before the exit, two miles is better.

Second, turn on your turn signal and THEN be patient. Sure, many self centered mindless ####s in four wheel vehicles take this as their cue to speed up to prevent your lane change. But even in the armpit of America (New Jersey) there WILL eventually be a courteous four wheeler that obviously will help you get over. They might even turn off their headlight a couple times to really let you know it's okay to change lanes. After you get over be sure to thank them by turning off your running lights a couple of times. The courteous four wheelers that do turn off their headlights a couple of times are often professional truck drivers in their POV.

Even before you get your CDL and as you prepare to become a professional driver, start concentrating on helping everyone around get where they are going safely. That car in the middle lane is trying to inch closer to the truck in front of him in the middle lane? Maybe he needs to take the next exit. Back out of it to create a wider gap for him to safely get over in front of you.

The tendency for MOST drivers is to follow a bad instinct: human beings are by our nature competitive pack animals. Be aware of this flaws, especially in yourself. Trucks represent an opportunity to block traffic. That's why mindless drivers slow to a crawl to pass trucks. The RIGHT thing to do is avoid running in packs AND leave plenty of room in front of you. If traffic is stacking up behind Jenny Jamitup, I slow down to suddenly let her get ahead so Impatient Penny can gun it and pass Jenny on the right and then of course all hell breaks lose as two dozen cars race to the next truck, with Jenny speeding up to be first to Jamitup again.

I don't care about losing a few seconds to slow down to let a cluster #### on through. On the other hand it's best to drive an ungoverned truck, to be able to quickly make passes. Multi mile passes should be avoided.

 

the trick here, is to be in the lane you need, BEFORE you need it.

i ran for many years the east coast corridor, and yes, it IS a PITA, but, i never let it get the best of me. once that happens, then you are defeated for life.

this is why PAYING ATTENTION at all times to your mirrors is very important over say, talking on the phone, or eating your extra, extra large BIG MAC meal.

so many others are uneasy about driving on the east coast, from Florida up to Maine, but they do it, and survive.

if you do not over come any paranoia now, you never will and in that case, accept defeat now and do something else rather that driving a truck.

 

Wait a sec, you say you've driven a billion miles ( that's mighty impressive) and you're afraid of changing lanes? Put your signal on and inch over, they'll give.You may get the "salute", but they'll get over it. Just no sudden movements. That dictates you are using your size to bully your way in. Nice and easy, a courteous wave or blink the lights. Traffic is traffic, no matter where you go, and is a big part of trucking, so better get used to it.