Central Refrigerated Truck Stop III

Best piece of advice ever in trucking - Don't be a PITA to your DM, he controls your miles and will bury you if you make his life hard. Conversely he can shower you miles and easy loads if you make his life easy.

 

Same thing happened to the girlfriend and I. We started out on a truck together, and she had to get off (dislocated ankle). I stayed with our trainer, and he made sure I practiced backing everywhere. The biggest problem I had with him was that he kept forgetting I hadn't gone to Central's school, so he kept referencing videos and training I didn't get. He finally broke out the videos, and that helped a lot.

My girlfriend went out with a guy I had gone to college with, and she was good enough they upgraded her in 21 days of training. However, they didn't go over backing that much when she was in the truck, so she taught herself to back. She still backs unlike any driver I've ever seen, but she's good.

 

I don't understand why chaining isn't required. At Central, it wasn't required for a while, in theory the trainer was supposed to show the student, but for a long time, few of them did. After I helped about the third fresh upgrade learn to chain, in chain conditions, I went and raised hell in Safety. I didn't mind helping my co-workers when they were in a bind, but why should I be teaching some fresh upgrade how to chain in March?

 

Same thing here. I basically taught myself how to back many years ago. My first job driving was nerve racking since I was fresh out of driving school. I had to learn tight maneuvers on my own. As far as I'm concerned, any back that doesn't involve the ''body shop'', is a good one...lol.

 

I have auto socks and love them. Two sets, enough to sock up the tractor only weighs about 10lbs and they are easy as hell to put on and off. These things are a great alternative to cables and chains, especially if you happen to be on a fleet that loads you to gross about every trip. IE. Coors

 

Unfortunately, I believe they are only a legal replacement for chains on commercial vehicles in Colorado.

 

No sir, they were the first of the western states to approve them for big trucks and cars..

 

You two sold me on those yesterday in kansas. It was really great to meet both you and Klingon (hope I spelled it right) anyways I just wanted to say hi and hope I run into you two again happy trails!