securing the vehicle before pre-trip

If the truck is off it should be in Netural. Then you put it in first gear after that.

I've never heard of an airbrake test where you have to take the key out of the ignition and put it in your pocket and chock the wheels. Are you sure that is right?

 

Maybe they are just trying to teach them to make sure the truck is turned off while doing the air brake test, seems silly to put the key in your pocket but whatever helps them learn i guess. Im sure many have tried to do the test with the truck running .

 

Before you turn the key to start it,put it in Neutral or push in the clutch or the starter will be trying to move the truck forward, thats not good on equipment. I only start my truck in neutral. The truck doesnt necesarily have to be running to go in first gear, you can sit in a truck thats turned off and run the shifter through the gears. I guess i dont really understand your question

 

Hell, we had 5 keys. She's a running.

Im a dinosaur.

If you really wanna secure a truck, (Set trailer brake only red button then do that tug against the trailer's 5th wheel before setting your tractor brakes) that way not even God can pull that 5th wheel pin causing you to drop that load down to the pavement after you leave from lunch.