I've noticed in a few different threads, that some of the "New Breed" looks down upon the "Old School" to the point of considering us unprofessional because we never went to driving school. You idiots! You don't even realize how little you know, much less understand that all that school does is teach you how to pass a test. Your first few years of driving you should be a sponge, soaking up as much information as possible. The only thing you should be doing is asking, not telling!
I'm not saying that everybody who learned the old way is perfect, Lord knows there's plenty of idiots who've been out here 20+ and still don't know jack. And likewise, just because you came up through a school doesn't mean your forever a noob. But I am saying that you are a fool if you don't take advantage of the knowledge of the good old-schoolers. We have stories to tell, but you aren't likely to hear them told to the room. It does take a good BS detector to filter out the idiots who act like they know everything and make sure everyone knows it. But if you get the chance to sit and listen to the good guys telling stories, you'll be surprised at all the info you can glean. And I don't know a single old hand who won't answer your questions if you're willing to hear what they have to say. And most will help you if your willing to help your self, they'll show you what to do but won't just do it for you. We ain't perfect, the old outlaw ways don't go away easily; but chances are your questions are questions we once had.
We had some advantages over you, learning: most of us already knew how to drive a stick, almost all of us had backed up trailers long before we got into a big truck, and many of us learned things by trial and error, out away from the crowded lots where a mistake is watched and mocked. A mistake usually just meant having to do it again instead of having to fill out paperwork because of a paint transfer. And few of us were jammed in a tincan with some psychopath (Well--one you didn't know...) who saw you as little more than logbook miles.
Formal training was all but non-existent; in my case I'd not been in a big truck more than 6 or 8 times, riding as a swamper; when the boss told me to take 'Ol Blue and run a few miles of section road so I could learn to shift the beast (I'd been running a hotshot rig up to that point.) I'd asked what was what when riding, so I knew the controls, but that was the extent of 'training'. More common was riding with someone you knew who'd show you the basics, then let you be. 'Uncledaddy' was common (Yeah, if you see this, noob; you tripped my trigger enough to get me to write this,) as was a family friend or neighbor. If you drove well enough to keep them asleep, you were doing ok! But the point was, you had someone who was more likely to have had 2 decades of experience rather than 2 years or less, as is common now. And sadly, that inexperience shows, especially in courtesy and backing.
So Mr. NewBreed Professional Noobie TruckDriver, you keep making yourself feel better talking your smack about being the 'real' pro; but all of us who happen to know better just laugh at your arrogant, pompous self. There's lessons to be learned, pup; they ain't near as hard when you see 'em coming. Remember that as you tower over us mere mortals with your nose in the air.
Old School and Professionalism
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Hammer166, May 24, 2011.
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You're going to be just fine! And I definitely hear you on tuning out the bad attitude. Those guys haven't figured out that if they have problems everywhere, the issues might just reside a wee bit closer to home than they think.
Giggles the Original Thanks this. -
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