Biggest Fears As A rookie?

Well said...

 

If your allowing your pet to run loose it is not a beloved pet.

 

I have to disagree here. My GSD was trained to never approach the road unless he was with me. Even then he was not allowed off heel. Til the day I had to put him down he never went near the road. Admittedly he was trained for Search and Rescue, but a beloved pet can be trained to be safe of leash.

Again I will agree that if a dog or cat is not trained or on a leash it's the owners responsibility, but that doesn't mean I won't feel bad.

 

I'm not driving yet either. I don't think I'm really scared as per say, but I am a little apprehensive about:

Hitting that steep down grade at the right gear.

Hitting another vehicle is always a thought.

Oh, and not having a shotgun in my sleeper when the Zombies attack.

 

When I was with my trainer I hit a dog. I felt bad, but now I look back it was kind of funny. I was on a two lane highway and was approaching an oncoming truck. Just as we got close to each other a young hunting dog come running out the other drivers side, ears a flopping, his tongue hanging out and tail tucked in as he scooted. He looked right at that truck and was so happy he beat it, then looked my way, Oh ####! thump, thump. My trainer come out of the sleeper... "What was that?"... "I just hit a dog". Much better than a head on, it was me or him. Always hold your lane with an animal strike. Many have flipped over swerving.

I remember my rookie days. I was nervous with barricades and my lane control even though it was okay. I use to line up the hood grab with the solid white line and I knew I was close. But coming out of Harrisburg, PA one night on I-83 S, they had barricades up going across the Susquehanna River. I swear they were so close I had about an inch on both sides. I knew one screw up and I was going swimming. That's hairy for a new driver. Eventially you learn lane control with a broad view. Now I know where my tires are with in an inch. You can play games riding the white line to better yourself.

I know a couple bridges that are hairy with approaching trucks. That is always fun.
Hwy 62 (Hwy 60 out of Paducah, KY) where KY-IL-MO meet across the MS river is one of them. It's a steel bridge with 8 foot lanes. You ever go that way, the KY scales is always open in the daytime hours. It's a small trailer with a pulloff and you have to go inside. So have your logbook up to date. Many a mirrors been smacked on that bridge and theres a 90 degree blind curve on the KY side. Two trucks can't make the curve together.
Hwy 35/18 from WI to IA across the MS River is another mirror smacker.

 

No one will say anything if you are going too slow. And you can always upshift if you are. You'll learn quick on the right gear selection.

Always protect your space and you won't hit anyone. Allow yourself a safe stopping distance. Making turns, over pin hooking is better than not until you get the hang of it. Always watch your trailer in a turn. If there's a conflict, STOP and let the 4 wheeler get out of your way. You can't get in trouble if you aren't moving.

 

It's a matter of where you live too. City folks complain about everything until now they are picking up poop with their hands. I live in the country and my dogs are trained to stay in the yard. My beloved pets have a little freedom instead of neck burn. So the if not on a leash, you don't love your pet is completely false. Even on the road they heel, stay on the grass and obey my commands.

3 in a row!

 

When I drive at night I always wonder what my reaction is going to be if a deer hops out in front of me. My plan is to keep it straight and hit it, but Im hopeing my instinct doesn't make me swerve.

 

Fear(gut wrenching) when does it go away.Been training for a week now and its not getting better.My trainer says dont think about it just do it. He cops a attitude when I need a brake he says you cant do this when you have to be on time.I can not drive 4/5 hours without stopping ( is this the norm?)When he drives its mind boggling.Night driving is very hard for me,and it seems thats all I have been doing it sucks.Everyone tells me its gets better when you get on your own.its just getting through 3 more weeks of pure XXXXXX hell that worries me.I refuse to drive illegal but it has been implied that companys will,pressure there driver to

 

when you are finished with training it will be much better. I almost quit during training myself, but you should tough it out.