How do most veterans view rookies

I try not to make assumptions about who is a rookie and who is a veteran, because I've seen drivers 20 years older than me who are new because they were laid off from a factory job. And guys in their 20s who have many years experience from working on family farms and running hoppers around. Some rookies have natural talent, and some veterans can't back a truck up very well.

I don't look down on rookies. They have balls to choose this job and they need some help and encouragement from the rest of us.

 

Anything I can pass along to a new driver that helps them become better, more proficient and safer, in turn makes my job safer, because they are sharing the road with me. It is in my best interest to give then a hand when I can.

 

Just out of curiosity, what do you blame them for?. As an aspiring greenhorn, it would be good to know what I am being blamed for and whether or not I have actually done it.

 

Just keep your ears and eyes open. You'll be alright.

 

I try to give people the benefit of the doubt until they irrevocably screw up. Pulling into the fuel aisle, running your know-it-all-about-nothing mouth off to your partner, then putting trying to put the DEF nozzle in the fuel tank. Insisting on taking breaks in the fuel aisle. Insisting on using cruise control on slick roads. Backing while refusing to use mirrors. Lying to get the job, then pretending you're a trainer. Lecturing about how you're an expert mountain driver, but shifting like a 5 year old and refusing to downshift to descend grades. Making up lies about DOT officers ticketing drivers for not carrying white sheets. Refusing/forgetting to set the brake when parked because, "At Swift, we only set the brake when we both get out of the truck." Starting any lecture with, "When I was a trainer at CR Chuckletruck." Bragging about what a great driver you were at your mega carrier, when you've never seen or used Qualcomm before in your LIFE.

If you're new, you're new. It's cool. Just don't put on a big act to cover what you don't know. It won't fool people.

 

No problems with noobs in my eyes , for the most part.

Like another said... just do a good days work , have some semblance of highway etiquette, be respectful of the industry.

We were ALL new at some point.

I remember my first load , about 26 years ago. There were four of us from the same company heading N on 75 in TN and I was tucked in behind an old hand that had been trucking for 30 years or more. I was in an old beaten up cabover Freightliner that was spring ride and had a primitive power steering system.
I crossed the zipper onto another driver , crowding him , and he let me have it. I apologized and owned my mistake , but he wouldn't let it go.

Ol' Hard Rock chimed right in and intervened on my behalf. The other driver chilled out. .. and I learned a couple invaluable lessons.

Drive within your own abilities, and keep a cool head.

I was young and scared to death.
Remember it like it was yesterday.

 

I would like to see more respect for the trade. Newbies, get out of your truck and look around.

Also. I realize and know the electronic age. Call your shipper or received get directions from them and get more information of where your going. Don't be so darn reliant on a GPS unit.

Also,

Not all veterans wear a black vest and cowboy boots. And drive a long nose pete.

Above all Don't drive like its a car your in.

 

You see that's in your line of work. I haul gasoline to the stores to sell and the store people know just how much power I can have. It's their responsibility to keep the area clear for me to drop. If not then I take action. If you're a food and a beer truck and in my way you'll move or I will leave and the store will get their gasoline on the next shift. A situation not good when the store is out of fuel. If you're a customer and parked in a area that is clearly marked no parking a tow truck comes and takes your car away. Some people have parked on the fills and gone into the casino to gamble. They come out and their car is gone too. Las Vegas will take everything. Most the time I'll wait a few minutes or so but it all depends on the other loads too.

 

This goes to EVERYONE!!

Be Polite, Calm and Courteous.

Look Around,
Get Out, LOOK AROUND!
Be AWARE of your Surroundings!

Be Honest, especially with yourself! This is real life not make-believe Reality.
The time for pretending ended a long time ago!

Miles do not make a Driver! Quality of the miles Driven, makes the difference!

A GPS is no substitute for getting directions, looking at a map, verifying the directions and having a mental picture of your destination, and the area.

Sorry for raising my voice, the point is
PAY ATTENTION!! to the task at hand....

 

I am one of the rookies. When I started running on my own, I was pleasantly surprised with how helpful and patient the other drivers were to me. Even when it would take me forever to park....no trash over the CB, no horns honked, just a helpful spotter and advice on getting the truck parked. If I asked for advice, most of the time it was given with a smile and encouragement.
6 months in, I give help spotting when ever I feel I can. Funny, some DO get offended when someone tries to help.....I have no clue why. One female trucker ripped into me hard for spotting for her on a blind side back in a dark parking lot. "I have been doing this for 39 years and I don't need your help." I hope I never get to the point where I would not accept the help of a spotter. But, I have learned to be careful.