How many have tried to help other O/O when broke down

I seem to have everything except the piece I need LOL.

 

I'm glad somebody caught that.

 

Tried to jump start a truck a couple of months ago in Allentown PA. 2 young Asian guys from Calif with a 2003 Columbia. The batteries and cables were so badly corroded I couldn't understand how they made it that far. Neither could speak English, no tools. Very appreciative thru sign language but they needed a lot more than a jump.
I guess this is the future.

 

A driver helped me out once. His W9 was parked at the TA in Dundalk, MD and I was trying to back my 53 into a tight little spot opposite him. It was the only spot available because nobody else would try it except stupid me. Well I got in there but the sidewall on my right steer grazed his right steer. I knocked off a couple of those little chrome wheel nut cover things. I got out and said let me get backed in and I'll make it right. Well i walked over to face the music and he sized me up, paused for a second and said "Twenty bucks". I said "Done, and I'll buy you supper in there to boot." He said "Thanks but I don't eat in there even if it is free."

 

Nowadays it's Billy Big-Rigger, flashing lights and blowing horn and cussing on the radio because "You almost backed into me!!!"

Almost is a much closer than a foot, you pompous ###! I enjoy getting even closer than I needed to when I find one of these idiots, just to pump them up a bit more. Kind of like you do to the 4 wheelers who stop with the back bumper past the white line and then honk because you're too close on a left. You want close? Here ya go!!!

 

I had a delivery in Dubuque last month - cold and snowing. My trailer brakes stopped working, so I stopped driving. I hit a few things with my hammer, but no joy. Called Road Service, the guy looked at a few things, then poured about 1/2 cup of isopropyl alcohol in the trailer brake line, connected the service brake glad hand to it and had me hit the brake pedal a few times....brakes released almost immediately. Condensation frozen in the brake line, the isopropyl lowered the freeze point and away I went, much safer and in control. FYI Note: I think that was the right sequence, but it definitely was alcohol poured into a trailer brake line.

 

1 of the first things that should be taught as a trainee is FROZEN BRAKE LINE repair and CHAINING UP its a shame to see the # of drivers totally lost with either situation when WINTER does its yearly thing and SHOWS UP .

 

I know this thread is suppose to be if you helped a driver that was broke down, but as an O/O I've received more help when I'm backing into a tight spot, than if I rig up a part I fail to carry. I enjoy the challenge and being 1 year in I like go get the practice when I can. It always seems after my 2nd pull up a driver walks over to act as a spotter. Which I do appreciate and even though I don't need it, I'll accept help when offered. (This was just the first example I could think of. Luckily I'm not one of the new drivers that can't maneuver. Delivering to Rent-A-Centers and doing some blanket wrapping was a great refresher when I first got started.)

Anyway I like to help when I see someone in a pickle. The response I always get is "What do you know, you're not a driver." I always follow up with "You're right I'm an Owner Operator. I'm glad you can see the difference." And I smile and offer my help. Usually the person is shocked and I don't know why, but unless someone watches me get out of the driver seat they don't believe me. But that's okay just wish there were more people like me coming into the industry than those that don't know 2+2=4...

Now

 

Usually, I hold the flashlight. However, one day I came upon a co-worker stopped on the side of the Interstate just beyond a construction zone. He had damaged the cap on his Luber-finer oil filter by hitting a barrier. Help was on the way with a new cap, etc. But, he was concerned that the mechanic may not bring a new gasket. I gave him mine. I always carried an extra gasket because truck stop garages may not have the one you need, and they discover that fact half through your oil change. Terry was driving a tractor leased on the truck-load freight side of Key Line Freight although his dad and uncle owned a refrigerated trucking company. I think Terry is president there today.

 

...while recording the whole thing on their cell phone so they can post it up on youtube, instead of being a decent human being and spotting for a fellow driver.