Things I have learned the hard way

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by okiedokie, Oct 18, 2013.

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  1. Oct 18, 2013 #1
    okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    I have made my share of mistakes driving and have seen others make them too. The key is to learn from them. So I have heard and made some rules to follow. Hopefully others will put them in practice in their daily routine. We have a enormous amount of experience and million milers on this board. Got any good tips share them.

    1. Never get in a hurry. Take situations in stride.
    2. Focus at the task at hand. Don't get distracted. If you can't take a break.
    3. Don't become nonchalant because you've driven a road a thousand times. You never know what's a round the next corner.
    4. Drive a truck like it doesn't have brakes.
    5. Obey the rules. There's a reason for them.
    6. Be polite to other drivers. It makes you a pro.
    7. Take pride in your driving skills. It makes you a pro.
    8. Keep your record clean. It makes you a pro.

    I have had other drivers and companies remark about #8. "Over 20 years and a clean record,amazing." So you go in for an interview and there's been 12 drivers ahead of you. Who do you think will get hired first? Yeah the guy with a clean record. Or the interviewers relative. :biggrin_25512:
     
    okiedokie, Oct 18, 2013
    okiedokie, Oct 18, 2013
    #1
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  3. Oct 18, 2013 #2
    xiipercent

    xiipercent Medium Load Member

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    #9. High curbs have ahealthy appetite for long mud flaps.
     
    xiipercent, Oct 18, 2013
    xiipercent, Oct 18, 2013
    #2
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  4. Oct 18, 2013 #3
    Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    10, Never assume no one is behind you even if no one was their when you started your maneuver.
    11, always assume a 4 wheeler will do something stupid and be prepared to react.
     
    Richter, Oct 18, 2013
    Richter, Oct 18, 2013
    #3
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  5. Oct 18, 2013 #4
    MZdanowicz

    MZdanowicz Light Load Member

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    There are no simple Solutions only Intelligent choice's
     
    MZdanowicz, Oct 18, 2013
    MZdanowicz, Oct 18, 2013
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  7. Oct 18, 2013 #5
    GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Drive and treat the truck like you own it. Try to do better today than yesterday. Help somebody if you can. And try to feel better at the end of your shift than when you started. Oh and of course, smile when you look at you bank statement on payday.
     
    GasHauler, Oct 18, 2013
    GasHauler, Oct 18, 2013
    #5
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  8. Oct 18, 2013 #6
    Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    At the start of my shift i'm tired...at the end I feel way better
     
    Richter, Oct 18, 2013
    Richter, Oct 18, 2013
    #6
  9. Oct 18, 2013 #7
    cuzzin it

    cuzzin it Road Train Member

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    :biggrin_25517:Allways.....
     
    cuzzin it, Oct 18, 2013
    cuzzin it, Oct 18, 2013
    #7
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  10. Oct 18, 2013 #8
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Don't believe everything you hear on the CB and read in trucker forums. Truckers have a keen propensity to exaggerate, embellish, mis-state and have their own perception of "fact" that often differs from others.

    Tell one driver in Raleigh that a driver cut his finger and twisted his ankle as he fell off the back of a trailer, by the time that story reaches Orange County the driver will have had his arm severed at the elbow, broke 3 bones in his leg and suffered major head trauma and forgot how to write his name.
     
    STexan, Oct 18, 2013
    STexan, Oct 18, 2013
    #8
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  11. Oct 19, 2013 #9
    RenegadeTrucker

    RenegadeTrucker Road Train Member

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    Be polite, be courteous, be professional...

    But have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

    No wait, that was my former profession.
     
    RenegadeTrucker, Oct 19, 2013
    RenegadeTrucker, Oct 19, 2013
    #9
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  12. Oct 19, 2013 #10
    EZ Money

    EZ Money Road Train Member

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    Stop wearing shorts,flip flops and dirty T-shirts at the truck stops......lol!
    It makes us older guys look good though when we walk in fully dressed in nice clothes and boots!:biggrin_25522:

    Really though,Just be prepared for anything to happen at anytime....sooner or later it will.
     
    EZ Money, Oct 19, 2013
    EZ Money, Oct 19, 2013
    #10
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