For All Newbies

The west bound side of Donner can be a little deceptive. Not a real steep grade but it drags on for many miles. If you find yourself having to use the brakes too much you better slow your butt down and find a lower gear while all the super truckers fly by as if they were empty.

 

This isn't a collage of things new drivers are inclined to do because they're new, it's a collage of things stupid people are inclined to do because they're stupid. Stupid people find ways to kill themselves in all sorts of different and creative ways and some of them do it in a big truck. I find the fear mongering for people getting into this industry is a bit overwhelming at times. You can avoid all sorts of these situations by doing things like not passing in the oncoming lane around a blind curve, driving properly for road conditions and never losing respect for the inherent dangers of driving a big truck. Sure, you can always be in the wrong place at the wrong time and have another vehicle do something devasting to you, but you can also be driving your Prius down main street to the grocery store and have the same thing happen.

 

Does anybody remember when you kept a stack of shoe boxes in the truck ( single bunk, low roof, no fridge, microwave, shelves, etc etc ) that had all the city maps in them ?All the truck stop guides ? All the fuel stop guides ? All the low over pass guides ? All the scale guides ? All radio channel guides ? All the directions you saved on truck stop napkins ? .... and where did we keep that 4" thick Rand MacNally Atlas ? Oh yes, on the floor beside the seat. ........

Yes, there's probably an APP for me .......... and my stuff .......

30 years ago I was a professional with all the 'go to' info for the new guys ( 'How do I get into Manhattan again without paying tolls ...... legally ? . ....... 3rd Ave Bridge off the Bruckner ? Really ????' ).

Now I'm a 'hoarder' - LOL !

At least my technology won't die - it's paper !

 

Which "hatred" particularly did you want to end?

 

yeah, I had those little index cards, that I'd transfer over from paper. I had a second briefcase usually the old one that was broken that I had to replace, that kept all my city maps.

Gosh too, I hated when the company would say, "you're getting a new truck today"...!!

as I hated "moving day", that's when you really realize you have way too much crappople..!!

 

Wow that Estes truck. Just wow.

 

I think the best advice to give new drivers is keep a safe following distance.