Lots of great advice but the most important for many will be - lose any attitude you have that you are special because getting the license by going through the training is the easiest thing any one person can do. Remember that you are there to be a service to the company, so you are just a number in a lot of companies and it isn't always about you or being done just to you.
To go along with that,
If you are faced with hostile people, smile
If you are driving and get cut off or flipped off, ignore it
If you make a mistake, own it
if you know the rules, follow them even if your friend or co-worker gets away with it
if you think that the DOT officer, the dispatcher or anyone else is out to get you and only you, go to McDonald's to work
Tips on how to be successful in trucking?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by mwc1576, Aug 16, 2013.
Page 2 of 4
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
Get a good GPS and learn how to use it. I mean learn how to use it and its limitations. Don't be one of those truckers that lives in the Dark Ages and uses maps...
Learn how to have fun on the road. Exercise a little at the begining and end of your day.
Do a pretrip, don't be one of those drivers that says they did the pretrip and they did not even get out of the truck.
Learn the way your company works. What special pay you can get -> Detention, short haul, safety, mileage bonus, etc. Strive to increase your pay by applying for those incentives.
Even if you are a company driver, keep track of your expenses. I use a laptop with the YNAB program on it. It is a very simple budgeting tool.
Try to avoid spending money in truck stops. Let me repeat, try to avoid spending money in truck stops. Go to discount stores and get stuff. I try and get by a grocery store or walmart once a week. Truck stops are expensive. Buy your electronics CB's, GPS's, Satelite Radio, on Amazon and save lots of money.texasbigbird54 Thanks this. -
Yup...Find a different career this one is in the toilet and has been for years. The road back to making a decent living is coming but will take a long time.
-
-
2. Learn how to drive consistently. Put your hours in behind the wheel every day. I'm not talking about 3 or 4 hours, I am talking about 8-11. It builds your stamina.
3. Sleep when it's time to sleep. Even if you are only used to sleeping 4 hours a day, stay n the sleeper at least 6-7 hours relaxing.
these 3 things should allow you to become a solid driver. You should do well in trucking. However, if you are wanting to be more than just a solid driver....
4. Time Management. It's the thing that puts you at the top of the pile. The better you manage your 168 hours, the more money you make. Learn how to hustle. Hustling IS more stressful, yes, but we are here for the money, aren't we? Load, unload, Pre trip, post trip and fuel. Know when and how to do all of them..
5. Better your driving skills. How you flow through traffic, avoid backups, parking...etc. you will cover even more miles in your 11.
6. Money Management. What's the point of being the greatest driver on earth if you can't manage your money? I'm not recommending the life of a beancounters, but if you got paid a fat check, don't blow the whole wad at the casino or on lottery tickets. Pay your bills. You can't hustle if your phone gets cut off.texasbigbird54 and Freezer Burn Thank this. -
I just want to thank all the drivers that are giving the good, solid advice for the newbies like myself. It is greatly appreciated. It is so good to see positive, helpful advice on how to succeed in the industry instead of the Swift, Werner, Schneider, suck, etc, etc, etc.
-
The gps is nice at times. I finally started using an electronic map for returds this year. they will not always give you the best route and i always check the real map for route restrictions. You need to learn the old school ways of doing things. some technology is nice but what if that cigarette lighter quits working and your ###### map dies??? can you still get to where you are going?
-
Keep the left door shut and get to your delivery/pickup on time
Saddletramp1200 Thanks this. -
The dumbing down of america disgusts me when i think about it.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 2 of 4