Benefits of driving schools?

That is easy... I have a place for everything and I put everything in it's place.
I have three cam keys... one in my tool box under the bottom bunk, one in my small small tool box in my clove box, and the last in my pouch that I keep just inside the driver door along with my tire guage, flash light, screw driver, pliers and small hammer.

I also have extra tire guages, extra keys, and all... I carry three, because if I lose one or lend one and don't get it back I still have an extra. I just learned the value of that... I ran into chain control a few tms this last run... also ran into drivers without a cam key... and, almost lost one of mine in the deep slush.... however, I did find it, but had I not and it had been my only one, I would of been in a world of hurt.

I agree with you 100% about the habit thing... Success is about developing the habits that lead to success and droping the one that stand in the way of success. In a way, it is like being obsessive compulsive in a beneficial way.

I do my pre trip the same way every time... that way, if I get interupted, I know where I am at and what I have done and not done just by where I am standing... if I get pulled away from the truck, I will either put my flash light down to mark the spot or just go back to the beginning.

When I am driving, I still go thru scenerios in my head... my first trainer use to quiz me all the time... "What if that car pulls in front of you... what if that car loses control... and so on... " I still keep alert and know what I am going to do if this or that happens.... I still make sure I don't get blocked in... I make sure to keep a maneuvering space around me.... I see alot of drivers out there who don't... they have cars or trucks all around them and no place to move to if something happens... Which is fine, until, somethin happens and they have no room to move...

I am still new and so I still put a lot of effort in becoming a solid, safe professional driver. I hope that I continue to do that even after ten years...

I also use truck stops to practice my backing... I don't alway pick the easiest spot, I pick a tricky one, and I turn off my cb and don't pay any attention to anything but backing my truck... That to has helped... a few weeks back I had a difficult backing situation at the shippers, but. I did well, because I had been practicing my blind side parking at the truck stops... It felt good to do a good job and to represent my company well at the shippers...

I still try to learn all I can... when I see someone working under their hood I go hold the flashlight for them... you learn alot doing that.. a few months back, a guy was changing his headlight, I went over and helped, I am so glad I did, one, I learned about those reset buttons in the fuse box... and just last week I had a head light go out... no biggie... Changed it myself...
I try to learn all I can about my truck... inside and out... and every night, I still journal about my day, my driving, what I did good at, what I want to improve on...

I think it is very, very important to have a place for things and keep them in that place so you always know where things are at. Orginization and routine are important, very important.

 

I could have gone to work and been trained by a company, sign papers for a loan to pay for their school at the cost of $5900. @19% interest. I chose to go to a local college and the state paid for it with the WIA program. The school is 200 hours with a lot of driving. A gentleman with 25 years was the instructor and another with 15 years helped him out. They helped us get our CDLs and all the endorsements. We had recruiters from different companies come by and explain what they had to offer. I feel that the school was better for me. I get to start out with a company to get finishing training. We were told at the start of class that when we graduated we were not Truck Drivers, but we would know the basics to help point us in the right direction.......

 

One thing I am surprized at... is how many drivers don't have a basic first aid kit or some sort of survival kit.

The other day, I was at a shippers and after I got loaded i went over to this area to tarp... well, there was another driver there and he had cut or pinched his finger and it was bleeding, and he didn't have any sort of firt aid kit or even a bandaid... he was going to use duct tape... I couldn't believe it... you know how dirty tarping is... and you are just going to put duct tape on it... I got out my kit, cleansed it and bandaged it for him...

Honestly, I just can't figure out why someone wouldn't have a first aid kit. I have one and I also have a little survival box.. it has some candles, some protien bars, water, and things I may need in an emergency.

The guy I was just running with, told me this story about how he almost died. He was driving down a highway where there was not a lot of traffic, he was eating and began to choke, he managed to pull over and get out of his truck and tried to stop anothe truck that was approaching, the truck did not stop, but fortunately the car behind the truck did and the man in the car gave him the heimlich maneuver...
I asked him if he tried to give himself the heimlich maneuver and he looked at me lik I was crazy and said, "How can you give yourself the heimlich"

I was amazed, one that he didn't know you can give yourself the heimlich, and two that he never ever took any kind of first aid class.

I think the schools should teach some basic self first aid. However they don't, but it doesn't mean you can't on your own. Think about it, you may be out in your truck alone on a highway or road with litttle to no traffic, things happen, why would you not want to know how to take care of yourself...

I took a first aid class thru the red cross and took an advanced one thru my community college. I think it is a good idea and I recomend all drivers learn a least some basic first aid and put together a first aid kit for their truck.

 

As in all aspects of habitual routine...chaining and unchaining need a routine...

When chaining try this...drape your chains on the tires, move the truck once...NOW grab your key and when you get to the first tire, place the key in the wheel rim, connect the chain, grab the key and set the cams, when all cams are turned, place the key back in the rim...apply bungees, pick up key from the rim and move to the next tire...doing the same routine with each tire...CAM KEY TO THE WHEEL RIM EVERY TIME...FIRST THING KEY TO RIM, AND LAST THING KEY TO HAND FROM THE RIM! Then the same in reverse when unchaining. Simple routine, haven't lost a key in 15 years due to simple habit! Never put the key in your pocket, it can fall out, and gone in the slush or snow.