Any tips for a new driver on their own?

Ok, ok, I'll go to Mcdonalds and buy 150 Big Macs. I MIGHT gain a pound if my metabolism will let me.

 

Now you talking my language. All that Olive Garden, and I hop talk. By the way the Big Mac is too expensive we do the dollar menu. Mc doubles is what we suggest to our rookies. 1.29 and you will do h
just fine. Heck splurge a little and get 2 on a good week

 

I actually haven't ate a Big Mac in years. I typically do the Olive Gardens and Ihops instead. All this Big Mac talk is tempting me to buy one for lunch.... Ok, maybe I'll eat three.

 

I make a lot more than 30cpm....I eat out at times but I prefer to eat something healthier and cheaper in my truck and use my money elsewhere, I do not need to eat out daily, cutting out all that eating out is what helped me lose 58 lbs so far. I save the Olive Garden and stuff like that for when im on my days off each week with the wife, Olive Garden is also one of the most unhealthy places to eat at if you want to watch weight, ever look at the nutritional menu? its insane. I also normally dont have the hours left to go and park somewhere to eat since I work full days almost every single day and I stay away from truck stops unless getting fuel, I do not even stop for coffee hardly ever anymore after also getting me a coffee pot recently.

 

If you're not sure it fits, don't get in it.

 

Which is fine until the truck stop is full and you find yourself parked at a rest area.

 

A lot of great advice guys, thanks. I too am just starting out. I have orientation on Monday with a good company here in Salt Lake City. I'm 56 years old and I've had my CDL B for 26 years and just recently completed school to upgrade to class A. Looking forward to getting OTR. Have personally only driven across country 4 times, mostly complying with military orders, but nonetheless, driving OTR has been a life long dream. Doing my research though, and reading a lot of posts here has helped quite a bit. Hoping to be out solo by April. I have to complete 90 days of training with my new job first.

Again, thanks again guys and ladies too.

 

Buy and dash cam and use it.

Better yet (this may not be practical for a company driver that changes trucks on a semi regular basis) get one that faces rearward and down each side so when the day comes that someone claims you left your lane and hit them, you might have a defense.

 

As a driver with 23 years experience who has been a trainer, cdl examiner and has done a combination of OTR and local, including working as a mechanic, tow truck driver (we fix a lot of rookie mistakes), and even in the office for a while, I concur with all the great advice offered here and will offer my own free (take it for what it is worth) advice.

1) If in doubt, don't do it, stop and ask! Many little mistakes have become career or sadly, life ending mistakes simply because someone let their pride get in the way of asking for help.

2) Plan ahead, even though the best plans fall apart sometimes, don't head out without an idea of where you are going, where the fuel/rest stops are, etc.

3) Practice good hygiene and healthy eating! This is very important as you will not perform your best if you are always tired, run down, or have low self esteem.

4) Don't let the other drivers and general public get under your skin, sometimes they do things just to get a reaction for their own entertainment.

5) Stay calm, polite, and professional at all times, you get much further with arrogant receivers and shippers, etc if you stay calm, they love to get a rise out of you.

6) Don't just rely on your gps or directions, open up a map and study and learn your routes, if you just follow the directions you will not learn your way around the country. I run into 8 and 10 year veteran drivers who still have no idea where anything is, they have always relied on gps, it makes it hard for me to give directions when they don't even know where the city they are trying to go to is in relation to where they are. I used Google maps on my phone for a satellite view of a new area before I go there but never use the turn by turn direction function, I memorize my route as this helps me to learn the area and be aware of my position at all times.

7) Be aware of your situation at all times, this is a big one, always be aware of what is going on around you, not just traffic but even when you are parked or stopped, always look around and become familiar with your environment, looking for hazards and trouble spots. Follow you gut instinct, it is nagging on you for a reason!

8) Before entering somewhere and when parking plan your exit route. I have seen so many drivers that park without a way to safely get back out, mostly in shopping centers and such, try to park where you have a straight shot out, same with entering a parking lot, make sure you can complete the turns/turn around to exit before you even enter.

9) Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help, but when you do keep in mind not everyone knows what they are talking about or wants to actually help. I have overheard other drivers giving bad directions just for the fun of it, also never let anyone else help you back in by doing it for you, you always have to be in control of your truck, it is ok to use a spotter but if in doubt double check the clearance. I have seen guys let other drivers dock their truck for them right into the hood or side of other trucks and then the trouble falls back on you.

10) The most important one, remember you are a human and not a machine, take time to relax and enjoy life otherwise you will burn out quickly. Live and let live, tolerance goes a long way when you are among strangers with different ways, as long as they are not harming you let it be and move on with life. Don't be afraid to say no or I don't know how, that is how we all learn, everyone in this industry was a rookie at one time, we all have made mistakes we have to live with. Do not let anyone pressure you into something that doesn't feel right like running when you are tired, looking the other way when something is wrong, etc, as you have to be able to look at yourself every morning and be happy with what you see in the mirror. Be flexible but never compromise your core principles or you will regret it.

Good luck and much success.

 

If your wife tells you: "I ain't got no panties on", don't reply to her with "Shut up, stupid".