Coastie's Advice and Stories Hope these helps

#4 Driving Tired. Do not do it. I do not care if the load is suppose to be at point B if your tired and at risk of falling asleep at the wheel, they want it even more several hours later. Stop and rest up. No load is worth the life of anyone not even your self. I always tell my dispatcher I am one who will run hard, push the limits but if I get so tired I might fall asleep at the wheel, I am parking, the load get there when it does. I never had any negative replies to my statement, other than that is good, just keep us informed.

Back in the 90's I loaded out side of Charleston SC going to Kennesaw Ga. with a same day delivery or soon as I can get there type which to my dispatch mean go directly there do not pass go, do not stop just make the delivery and here your next load to deliver the next morning in NJ. I made my delivery in Kennesaw and was on my way to pick up the next load. It was at the yard so deadheading 100 miles back to the company yard. Going Northbound on I-985 through Gainesville Ga I caught my self falling asleep. Swerved a time or 2 and could not keep it between the lines might say. Lucky no traffic. I made it back to the terminal and dropped my empty and backed under my loaded trailer, and went to sleep. Needless to say I did not make it to NJ in time.

 

Ok Guys I been busy last few days or so moving.

#5 Listening to others. It a good thing to keep the CB on, for you get heads up what going on down the road most of the time. Yes you will get the guy who whispers I have no panties on and the CB Rambos. But with it off you might miss some info that could save u hrs in closed down HighWay due to an accident. I was East bound on I 20 going through Louisiana running with a nice female Trucker driving for FFE. I was 1K over gross with a Granite Block on my flatbed. She and I was chatting away when the west bound announced an accident up ahead and they gave us a route around. We took the by passing route and she watch out for me so I would not meet up with a 4 wheeler on one of the narrow bridges we went over. Never made that trip so fast. Good conversations, and miles went by really fast. It seemed like I just left Texas when she departed our mini convoy in Alabama.

You will also learn more about trucking also. Other drivers will be chatting about situations they been in and you can take that and learn what and what not to do.

One old timer I will never forget his words. He was westbound and I was east bound through the Gorge on I 40 in NC. He said Hey Green Horn, if you do not listen to anything else, listen to this one piece of advise. The day you think you know every thing, That the Day you BETTER Park the truck for good, cause your heading to an accident, Your own Accident!!!!

 

Yes the Old timer had me down pat I was a green horn. I was in my First truck I drove driving for everyone favorite trucking company to hate, CRE. But He also seen which truck I was in and gave me a compliment on my driving, which I did get many good comments from other truckers. Even when I was out with my trainer, I had some ask my trainer if I could go and drive their truck for them that I was doing really good for a 1st day out with him.

 

6. Summer is almost over, some places schools are starting up again. So that the sign that snow will be here soon. It time to be patient more aware of the weather conditions for your trip planning and planning you days drive. Last big drive I made in snow it took me 16 hrs to go 211 miles. That morning I left out of Carlisle, PA under sunny conditions Word was though snow was coming. Oh Boy was it coming. Coming from the south not from the west. When I got to the MD Line it was getting cloudy, then when I hit the WV/VA Line it was hello snow. I 81 ended up shut down and was diverted to US Highway 11.

If your traveling in snow and come up on a snow dust coming up from the road SLow it down before you hit that 4wheeler. I left Davenport IA Flying J and did not make 3 miles when I came up behind a car which all I saw was this cloud of snow dust. Then a cattle truck came blew my doors off, and I knew then problem only going to get worst. I went over to the left lane and when I was 3/4 the way over I seen the 4wheeler for the 1st time since I came up behind it. The old man and his wife were heading for the shoulder. I did start to slip and slide some so I could not watch to see if he got over ok for I was about to go into the median. I manage to save my truck from going into the median but lost the 4 wheeler behind me. Again I moved back to the right and slowly went on.

Comfy zone driving. Take your guts advice, if your uncomfortable please find a place to park and wait for better conditions. You will be nervous and frightened at times but if you lose your comfortability you will only hurt your self and others. Safety first, the load will get there when it gets there. If the roads get to bad park. Do not let the Dispatcher drive ur truck, U do. If it to bad Park and communicate with them. I have done this and still have night dispatch try to push me. I responded back saying sorry As I have message last night road conditions to bad, will leave out once sun is up and road clears some. Roads to icey. He change his mind and said Ok did not beep me anymore.