Being asked Questions

"Hi, I had a couple of questions about (insert subject here), and was womdering if you had a couple minutes?"

That should suffice. Some people are prone to acting like pricks, but, for the most part, you shouldn't have much of a problem. If you have questions, they need to be asked.

 

There's two types of truckers. The hermit and the one that likes to talk.

If you are talking about a truckstop? Go to a TA or Petro or one with a sit down restaurant. Like a TA has a "Truckers Only" sit down area where the truckers drink coffee and BS. Sit there and talk away. Nobody will chase you out.

It is normal for one to ask questions and it's normal for one to try and answer. I was a warehouseman before I started trucking. I asked a million questions and met all kinds of drivers on the docks.

One of the main reasons of this forum is to help the newbies out. Start reading and asking.

 

If I had the time I always talked with anybody that stay clearned of me unloading and didn't smoke. I would unload real close to them in the gas stations and have people from all over the world come up and asks questions. A lot of times I was just as interested as they were because they hauled gasoline too somewhere else. I did always enjoy the look on peoples faces when I pulled up in a fuel lane to unload and they would look up and see the truck. I got to know where all the gas tank release buttom was located on a lot of models because we had one station right when you go into the airport. So the peolpe would fill up before turning their car in. Fuel haulers have lots of stories they can tell because most the time we are out with the public.

 

I've found a lot of the times that they're not actually hermits - it's just a matter of saying the right thing or asking the right question. I imagine there's a lot of drivers out there who are tired of repeatedly answering questions about some of the most basic things, like how to use a tire pressure gauge. Let's face it, we've all at some point been asked a question which had us wondering, "how the hell are they driving a big truck without knowing this?".

 

I'd have no problem if someone asked me while I was sitting down at a restaurant. I never stop in to a full service restaurant until my day is over, so yeah, I have a few minutes to chat while I'm eating. While I'm fueling though, I'll talk but once I'm done fueling, I'm gone.

 

What also might help is to talk to the younger, rookie drivers. Nothing against the exp. guys but rookies who are still wet behind the ears (like me) can give a good description on what to expect being new to the industry beings they are living it every day. The exp. guys have a career full of great advice also, things it takes years to learn. Mix it up a bit. The best advice i ever heard was if you think your done learning and know everything, quit. You learn every day. Keep an open mind, listen, watch and dont be afraid to ask questions.

 

I've been approached at T/S or rest areas with questions about trucking. As long as your approach is courteous and friendly (and I'm not racing the logbook), I've never had a problem answering what I know.

 

I'll generally talk to anyone that asks a question if they're respectful about it...However, If they ask a question about something they have limited knowledge of and then argue with me about the answer because they don't like the answer, I'll just turn my back and walk away like they're not there.

I have no patience for idiots!