How did you learn to drive?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Giggles the Original, Apr 29, 2013.

How did YOU learn to drive??

  1. *

    self taught??

    25.9%
  2. *

    taught by family member

    27.0%
  3. *

    Private training

    6.9%
  4. *

    trucking school

    31.6%
  5. *

    Company Trained

    10.9%
  1. Ghost Ryder

    Ghost Ryder Road Train Member

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    Jan 3, 2013
    Your Mailbox
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    This is true, and I agree with it, but this isn't what I'm talking about.

    I'm still currently driving, although not OTR. I'm a local driver, which is what you have no experience doing, based on reading your posts. Some of your comments are way out there (Yard dog with 15 years spotting has no more experience than someone driving 5 yrs OTR for example). Most local companies want OTR experience solely because they don't want to teach their prospects how to drive the vehicle. As far as OTR vs local is concerned, local work is far more demanding. That's why companies don't want to waste the time teaching prospects how to drive.
     
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  3. mitchtazz

    mitchtazz Road Train Member

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    Lake Wales, Fl
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    i understand you, and i'm sorry for the misunderstanding, but when i said YARD DOG/SPOTTER that's what i really ment, i wasn't refering to a local driver. someone that can run a NYC route everyday for five years and not take out two cars a month is dang amazing in my eyes. but a spotter that never leaves the yard, only backs into the same 18 bay doors every day, no, i don't/can't see them holding a candle to an OTR driver that'll hit at least 4 different bay doors a week that they've never seen before in their life.

    heck, most places i go to the yard spotter has the right of way. i have yet to visit a city where the 80000lb vehicle has the right of way.
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2013
  4. Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member

    ok guys....lets keep on track please...this thread wasnt created to bash the newbies or the older drivers.

    i wanted to hear stories of how y'all learned how to drive.

    each of you will still have your opinions despite what the other says....

    but i will add this....it would be ridiculous (sp) to think that i would know as much as some of these guys on here know...i am a newbie compared to some of the posters in this thread.....and i have 22 years....


    wanted to add, Tony i didnt think that you were (bashing newbies)...i value ur input here and anywhere else for that matter....so stick around plz....we need ya...HUGS
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2013
  5. JIMROY

    JIMROY Medium Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2013
    ESCONDIDO CALIFORNIA
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    you one of us old hands giggles , like it or not. Know you would like to stay young and sexy forever but you gotta grow old with us old guys and just be old and sexy lol
     
  6. Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member



    :biggrin_25514::biggrin_2559:
     
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  7. BossOutlaw88

    BossOutlaw88 Road Train Member

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    Oct 30, 2011
    Cali
    0
    I learned by playing driving video games like 18.wheels of steel and rig and roll.

    Using my Dre Beats machine
     
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  8. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Dec 8, 2012
    hunting...../ retired
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    Thats right JimRoy....We need MOM to make sure we play well with others.....It don't hurt none that she's easy on the eyes either....:hiding:
     
  9. ColoradoGreen

    ColoradoGreen Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 1, 2010
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    I can sympathize with JIMROY's position on driving.

    There were about three primary driver's who taught me to drive (all around heavy haul). The oldest of the bunch will have 50 years of driving experience early next year. The next two aren't far behind with experience in the 40 years of driving range.

    The intriguing thing is they all have very different driving styles. Which is good, in my opinion, it keeps you from being a clone of any particular driver, you see different ways to handle different situations.

    There were and are others, as well, but, none of the drivers I've worked with in any sort of major or in-depth way had less than 30 years driving experience behind them. Most of them around highly specialized areas of trucking: logging, heavy haul, oilfield.

    When I was cut loose on my first long(er) distance run, about 1,500 miles round trip, I never picked up a GPS, used the good old atlas.

    It was more than 6 months before I was ever really cut loose on my own, and even so, the first time I was cut loose without a veteran driver next to me, we were running in a pack, so, they were still keeping an eye on me.

    At the ripe old age of 21 I've driven 9, 10, 13, 15, and 18-speeds, not to mention 7LL's, 8LL's, even a 5x4 and a 6x4 before. I was taught to not fear a transmission, you may not always get it right, but, you can still make it work. I've worked with 2-stroke Detroits, shiney 290s, low-flow 350s, 6NZs, Acerts, Series 60s, Signature 600s, and N14s. Again, you don't fear the motor, you make it work, you use your foot, your feel to figure out where that engine wants to run.
     
  10. Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member

    when i first started truckin......i listened to the older drivers...may not have always taken their advice , but more times than not, i did. there were many i ran across who were ALWAYS willing to give some advice in a friendly way...and were very supportive. i was always eager to hear anything they had to say....after all, they had been doin this a lot longer than i had. did that make me stupid? no, it just meant they knew more than i did and they were willing to share the knowledge with me, which i was grateful for. course i didnt have a know it all attitude either, (other than once) i was very humbled by the fact that i was behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler....to THIS day, if i was to get behind the wheel i would still be in awe in a sense...that i am driving that thing....and hey, I AM DARN GOOD AT IT TOO!!!!! LOL.....

    when i met my husband i had been driving a cabover (Frtlinr) and he was in a W900L KW.....well i developed a little bit of a know it all attitude then BUT THAT quickly changed....i would get to a corner and he would say, " you better start turning this thing"...i said, " i know what i am doing'..HA HA WRONG....i had to back up many times....cause i couldnt make the corner...after about a week or so of that, i decided, hey i better listen to him and quit trying to prove a point...cause the only point i am proving is that i dont know what the heck i am doing....:biggrin_2559:

    that was the only time i had a know it all attitude, and it got me nowhere:biggrin_25513:, once i put that aside and starting LISTENING to him.....i learned a lot...he was a very great and patient teacher.....and one heck of a terrific driver...i never ever saw a dock he couldnt hit....EVER..no matter what truck we were in (even the 323" wheelbase Pete we drove)....he is amazing.....he has 30 yrs this year.....and i am grateful to have "an old hand" to teach me how to drive.....
     
  11. Giggles the Original

    Giggles the Original Road Train Member


    thats right. have to watch out for all you outlaws....:biggrin_25522: ....and i am pretty fast with a wooden spoon, :biggrin_25524: so if ya misbehave.....ima get you.!!!!! LOL
     
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