Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

So far it's fine. The dude has the basics and listens, the problems start when they think they "know it."
I haven't met a new driver yet right out of any school that "knows it" after 4 weeks out of truck driving school. After 34 years of doing this I don't "know it" yet.

 

I've only been in the business for just over 2 years and I go into everyday knowing and feeling like a rookie. I don't know if that will ever go away but I feel that it's a good thing

 

You don't want it to ever go away. It hasn't for me.

 

You guys are spot on with this conversation. My dad always told me that the day I feel that I have learned everything about trucking, Hang The Keys up before you hurt yourself or somebody else. Those things are 80000lb projectilles.

 

I have no worries. Been out of school nine months, and still back like a rookie. Humility reigns supreme.

 

Sitting here at the disgusting Pilot in disgusting Hesperia. 38 miles to my drop. It was not worked out for me to drop this load at the Colton drop yard so I'll deliver it at 7am. I think we did good, left 8am Friday, was able to sleep 4 hours Friday night, 5 hours last night and did 2525 miles to here. Lee did just fine, he drove 890 miles and I did the other 1635. We have some things to work on, but nothing that is a safety issue. One thing that I need to do is tape the Jake switch into the off position. So far this jake has become a plaything to every trainee I've had in this truck. I'm exhausted, going to eat some breakfast, or lunch or whatever one eats at this time of day, then go to bed.

 

Edumacate him! At least the Volvo jake just wheezes even at max. Doesn't help the low speed lurching problem though. It drove me batty as well. I told them to turn it off once they were below 30 mph unless it was a steep downgrade etc. A big issue is that new drivers get spoiled by automatics and go braindead. Downshift or apply gentle braking to control speed!!!! It works the same way as a manual and is much subtler than the jake.

 

It seems the only educating about this issue is a 10lb sledge upside the head, and I happen to have one in the side box.

 

Maybe they just like the sound of the jake.. if I would to drive I would want to learn how to slow down without using the jake all the time... maybe sometime in the next eighteen years I will get mine or just enjoy letting the hubby drive..

 

Nice 677 miles today. Only 814 left to San Antonio. Got my turbo and bushfire fixed. This new to me truck should be good for a couple years.