Do the nerves ever go away?

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by Twistin' throttles, Jun 13, 2019.

  1. Twistin' throttles

    Twistin' throttles Light Load Member

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    I'm almost four months in to a gig I got right out of CDL school hauling 48' smooth bore tankers of milk. I run loads over the grapevine numerous times a week into L.A. and though it's getting better, when I get down into L.A. traffic loaded, I'm still always hyper aware, and puckered up lol. It's probably a good thing to be non-complacent in that situation, but #### it's tiring.
     
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  3. DTP

    DTP Road Train Member

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    Better to be that way than to get careless or arrogant and make a mistake that could cost you your job or worse...
     
  4. Fairweather

    Fairweather Light Load Member

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    L.A. is a breeze, driver. At least people there (for the most part) pick a lane and stay in it instead of weaving back and forth looking for the magic fast lane that nobody else is using...

    I much prefer West Coast drivers to most other places.

    Be glad you don't drive in Atlanta, Chicago, or Miami. It's like driving in a third-world country.

    And yes, you'll get used to it.

    Always remember, "A safe following distance is yours to maintain, not defend..." LOL, so don't forget to leave that 8 seconds of following distance, as if there were 8 seconds of empty highway anywhere in L.A.
     
  5. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    in time, some of those butterflies subside.

    but when the day comes that you know everything, and take things for granted............


    park the truck, and walk away.
     
  6. shatteredsquare

    shatteredsquare Road Train Member

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    the nerves are what's keeping you from making mistakes, and allowing you to compensate for the mistakes of others, and allowing you to anticipate the potential mistakes of others before they manifest. the nerves cost energy, energy is a renewable resource. Keep the nerves, monitor your energy levels to maintain mental and physical health...with more experience you'll be able to keep the same level of awareness using less energy. With me, the day I decide to get comfortable is the same day I start making really dumb mistakes, and for some reason, everyone else decides to start making dumb mistakes in front of me on that same particular day. It's like the psychological tension is contagious to those around you, for better or for worse. If I start the day on the lookout for catastrophe, catastrophe gets nervous and never shows its face.
     
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  7. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    You will recognize grapevine upgrade (Southbound) from the CA Scales behind and right side of me some distance back.

    This is a very routine hill for me. Going up. Coming down. Next.

    You need to manage your stress levels, as in ok, you are running mountains today like you did yesterday and will do again tomorrow. If you let the stress get you will BURN OUT. Then something stupid will happen for bad for all. You first.
     
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  8. meechyaboy

    meechyaboy Heavy Load Member

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    Oh man I’m in Chicago every few days and it drives me nuts. Construction everywhere, multiple freeways right next to each other yet they’re all backed up at the same time. You can easily add another hour for every 20-30 miles you plan to drive. If its backed up people will drive on the shoulder almost causing an accident with the oncoming traffic. If they see a lane move for a split second they immediately hard swerve to get into it. I did a thorough pretrip but still pulled over cause they managed to make me believe my turn signals didn’t work. I mean I’m talking driving 20-30 seconds with it on and cars just not letting you over... if their lane is ending they will swerve just in time to miss the barrel. And they do this thing where they stay in the far left lane until their lane is less than a quarter mile away
     
  9. MGE Dawn

    MGE Dawn Road Train Member

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    At this point I honestly believe that these 4 wheelers think a turn signal on a truck is a "pass me on THIS side" signal. Wish I could say I was joking
     
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  10. LtlAnonymous

    LtlAnonymous Road Train Member

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    You always want to be vigilant. But the best thing you can do is just sit back, maintain a healthy following distance, and stay the hell away from everyone else on the highway as much as you can. I know in Los Angeles that's a tough thing, but do what you can.

    I drive in one of the cities that was described as a third world country earlier in the thread, and I have 16 years with zero tickets, accidents or incidents. I was a nervous wreck when I started, but that served me well. It kept me from taking stupid risks.

    Now that nervousness has been replaced with healthy distrust. Stay away from me, let me drive my truck, and we will both go on our way.
     
  11. motocross25

    motocross25 Road Train Member

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    Don’t mean to hijack the thread but how you been @DTP ? Haven’t seen you around in a bit. Still linehauling out of St. Louis?
     
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