What would you say is the hardest part about actually driving a truck?

Eating right

 

When a dot wake you up for a level 1.........,..,.,..,.,.,..

 

Getting out to look.

 

The part so hard virtually no one does it; taking and maintaining "conscious control of the attentional spotlight". Once basic maneuvering becomes ~second-nature, the mind naturally wanders to events of past and future. All one has to do to confirm this principle is examine their own internal monologue during their last/next stint at the wheel.

At the highest levels, physical performance is invariably and inextricably linked to mental performance and discipline.

 

some aspects can seem difficult or nerve-wracking at first, but mentally it's the easiest money I ever made. For the most part, it all boils down to managing speed, space and time. Easy to do, but easy to screw up if you get careless.

The absolute hardest part, IMO, is going hour after hour, day after day .. year after year - without a dumb screw-up. Easy job, but one brain fart or being careless one time can cost. Hats off to those million milers without an accident. I'm uncathed so far, tho a little bit lucky a few times when not managing "speed and space" as well as I should have been.

also what brsims said,, finding a company that is a good fit for you... is also huge. much more to it than it sounds.

 

cant add a single thing to the above post.

 

I don't think that's a good question, Timinator. No 2 days, or 2 loads, are alike. There's always something you'll have to deal with besides just cruising down an open road with no more on your mind than staying off the rumble strips. All the things mentioned above will happen, and a lot of things you haven't heard about or experienced yet. Commercial driving is what it is - you make your trip plan, you pre-trip your truck and trailer, then deal with what comes your way. If you can accept what you can't change, then deal with it, it's a lot more enjoyable.

 

Finding a company that values you as an asset and not as a slave they just purchased. I know some companies are better than others but it kills me to hear what some guys consider good these days compared to what use to be out there even 15 years ago.

 

maintaining a safe following distance all the time.

 

I was mistaken. You can add to G Anthony's post. Good one rank. That's part of the very foundation of being a safe driver.