Central Refrigerated Truck Stop II

Went to do industrial driving today to practice turning. Did great. On the way back instructor told me to hop on the interstate. Gave me the wrong exit to get off of, ended up taking a stroll thru downtown SLC lol. Guess Im prepared for tomorrow when we do actual city driving. Good part, didn't hit anyone, and I got my first experience of a dumb ### 4 wheeler trying to merge at the last minute on the right getting on 80. He had to drive on the shoulder to get in front of me. Good experience though.

 

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. No one knows how to merge. Someones getting on, they're right next to you, and they wont speed up. It doesn't matter what you do short of slowing down to 45, they're not gonna notice you until there's 50 feet of merge lane left and they FINALLY look over their shoulder. In chicago the other day (when traffic was flowing) I had a taxi ride right next to my 5th wheel for a very long merge lane, realize he only had 50 feet left, AND TRY TO FLOOR IT AROUND ME! About 30 feet later he realized he wouldn't make it and slammed on the brakes.

Why do these people have licenses?

 

Man, there are some horror stories about trainers out there. I sure hope that I get the luck of the draw with a trainer.

 

I was in a construction zone, the right lane was closed an had jersey barriers, the sign for an upcoming exit was almost non existent. A car coming up just passing me jumped right infront of me and slammed on the brakes to try to make the exit, far too late to actually make the exit, luckily I'm a quick reactor.

 

This. A thousand time this.

It's also my biggest pet peeve...by far. People who think that safely entering freeway traffic and merging while going >20mph below the speed limit. All the while you have an endless stream of traffic to your left. These non-drivers attempting to merge, while nonchalantly driving right into your path, and then at the last second their arms and legs are flailing and they're screaming in panic when they realize they're about to be squished....priceless. Could I be polite and slam on my brakes and risk my own life so they can have 1/4 mile of open space to merge? Do I? Nope. I do give a polite wave to them once they've merged, passed me by, and give me the one-finger salute. Making 4wheel drivers poop themselves...one of the guilty pleasures of this job.

 

Used too, people had a respect for trucks.. Then again.. Is it lack of respect or just everyone is just so distracted. Phones are the root of most distractions.. 10 years ago the "cool" phone was a blackberry with a physical keyboard.. No siri or google maps or angry birds. I can look back when i was 16 and remember the most biggest distraction was my cd player. I cant keep up with how many folks pass me on a daily basis driving with thier knees and typing or looking at a phone.
So i think its both.. lack of respect and distractions. Geez and were always the bad guys. I heard someone once in pilot complaning we are just constantly in thier way.. I guess if everyone wants to convert to amish and make everything we need on a daily basis.. we sure all can come home for good.

 

I think its more of everyone acts like they are in such a #### hurry. If everyone would slow down and take time, things would improve.

 

Like that would ever happen

 

Well this is when having a more helpful dm would be nice. The final number is $225, and now it needs to be approved. If I had rodger for a dm I'm sure it would be more and I wouldn't be waiting a week+ on it. Basically, this ALMOST covers 2 days of fixed for 82 hrs of sitting.

I'm not saying I'm bailing, but if I hadn't had one good year in before these last two weeks, I could see how someone could. I certainly feel like it.

 

You might also talk to O/O... They might be able to 'forgive' one week payment and put it on the back end of the lease... That way this week won't hurt so bad.