For those of you who just received your CDL

I paid $5K ,to attend Sage Truck Driving School.All they taught me was how to pass the test,and get my CDL. The real training began after that. Dont get in a hurry,and ask questions.I will get out and look a half a dozen times when backing in certain spots,and dont give a crap what others think.

 

I assumed he was starting OTR. I would think most drivers start OTR.

 

I really don't know what type of set up you all got going here but it sounds like a little complacent might be sitting in. Just one part that may be looked at.

 

Be nervous because driving the truck is so easy, my youngest daughter has already learned how to drive my field truck -so easy.

What you need to know is what to do when something happens. Most of you will never learn that.

I was taught back in the 70's the driving part is the easy part, damaging control in a situation is not, this guy retired with 3 million miles behind him and no accidents that were his fault.

 

Cool thread...
I been with CDL 30 years now, im scared every single day
Fear of steer tire pops
Fear of small buttwipe car pulling out and skwishing a family of 5
Fear of hitting a animal, but not killing it, and it lies screaming and crying in pain
I fear coming around dark bends i will find someone completely darked out in my lane with an issue
I fear sudden brake lockup...lol
Now Im a mountain driver in a new automatic, Im horrified the tranny is gonna give up when Im pullin 80k up 13% at 12 mph 4th gear, or these crazy new engine brakes are gonna cut in cut out, as they do, when Im decending 13% in 5th ridin the engine brake level 2...etc etc etc
Its made for a lot of semi-unessesary stress and uncomfort over the years...I wish I could just cruise like alot of guys..
It sucks...there are benefits though
Your less likely to have wrecks and breakdowns as a OCD paranoid worry wort..LOL!!

 

Alex from Ice Road Truckers said..

"sometimes drivers just need to grab the wheel and drive"

thats deep man

 

Every business where you deal with potentially dangerous equipment has its downside. I am a butcher/meatcutter. I deal with bandsaws, cleavers, needlers, etc. I have seen very experienced people do very stupid things and cut themselves because they became too comfortable with the equipment. Even when you are careful bad things can happen. Case in point: 3 times I have a had band saw blade snap mid cut. Scared the living #### out of me. Ever see a 240lb guy jump 3 feet?

My point is that you have to be aware and RESPECT the equipment and tools at all times. Certain cuts still give me a little angst. It keeps me on guard and that is a good thing. Years of doing this and I have only slightly nipped my self a few times.

 

I agree with you on that but there is a difference, your life does not depend on the guy or gal cutting a piece of meat ten feet away unless they are throwing knives at you. The thing is that we have to depend on others to do their job by driving safe and know when they don't what to.

When I step into a cab, I am not afraid of the truck, the load or driving, it is something that is distracting. I am 'afraid' in a way of others who are driving around me. It isn't a fear but a case of maintaining situational awareness. I want to know when a car changes lanes or if they even see me. I want to know what that idiot driver is doing with her cell phone coming up my right so I can be prepared to stop when she ploughs into the intersection. So it really isn't a fear but rather something that comes natural to many of us.

TO you new people, you have to get over it. See one thing that isn't mention often enough is if you are afraid of doing the job, you will screw up, you will over compensate for one or another or a bunch of things all at once. By being a scare driver, you put so much energy into being scared than actually doing the job right.

 

I think OTR the scariest thing ever had happen was coming out of Southern Colorado headed to Texas and about 2am Icy as hell in Northern NM and couldnt find a good place to shut down. Tired and pissed. Then come over a hill and whats in front of me? Like 20 big as ELK laying and standing on the road less than 100 yards away. #### Me. Couldnt slam on breaks and then they just all parted to the side and coasted right through them.

 

I taught rock and ice climbing. Part of my course featured a section called Fear Management.

Fear can give you tunnel vision and create tension in your body and brain. The first step to managing fear isn't to "relax", it's to focus on what YOU can control. Relaxation is a result of your focus on your task at hand, not the other way around.

Getting behind the wheel I always have a plan. Have a Plan, WORK the plan. Doesn't matter if I'm planning how to set up to back into a tight space or planning a trip, always have a plan. Monitor it and adjust as you go.

Directed Driving is something I taught when I was a trainer. This is an excellent tool for staying focused on the task. Today I am always doing this internally: check my mirrors (how fast is that cluster of cars overtaking me?), checking following distance, checking the upcoming ramp for merging traffic (do I have room to get over or am I pinned?), what's happening a mile ahead? This repeats constantly.

Finally, your contact for control and relaxation starts with the steering wheel and gear shifter. Hold them lightly, let your arms hang loose. Control follows from relaxed contact and directing your focus for decision making in advance of potential "challenges".