Learning from Others Mistakes

Yeah so you'll learn pretty quick that you don' tail gate like you would with a 4 wheeler with 80,000 lb's it takes a while to stop leave more of a gap in rain or snow and ice.remember the 5 second rule.

 

Just remember that you are the professional out there and be ready for anything be relaxed but be aware and just enjoy.In all my years I still love it but am alot more wary of it at the same time.always expect the unexpected.

 

BROKENSPROKET says, ..First, I want to say, I love this forum....(i love that you love, just not in a gay way of course)..

I read and learn from it daily. I have learnt alot of positive things, but I have learnt alot from the mistakes drivers make.....(and there will be many more in the future)

Just to list a few.

1. Always make sure the trailer doors are properly secured open when backing. Reading about others getting fired for damaging a trailer door because in was preventable. I am already thinking of fabricating a device that will give me 100% confidence that door won't come unhooked.....(usually just a good strong bungy cord (all rubber) works well)

2. Keep a clean log book. Run hard but legal......(well run, but do not push oneself hard as to tire oneself out and burn out from the industry...)

3. Never lease from the carrier you haul for.......(agreed, as you speak of lease to own deals)

4. A lot of accidents could have been prevented if everyone did proper and periodic inspections....(.true and if the problems were actually repaired and the driver does not drive the truck still needing those repairs)

5. I am a pretty defensive driver as it is. I realize how important to pay attention to traffic and road conditions. Weighing 80k, it becomes all the more important.......(you are driving an 80,000 missile)

6. How you leave a company can affect your DAC report. ...(true many times)

I want to be successful in this industry. One of my greatest goals is to keep my DAC clean. Minimal hometime is not an issue for me.....(home time SHOULD be important as i said earlier, do not burn your self out just for the money, because you will grow to hate the industry, instead of benefiting from it)

What else do ya have that I could learn from?......(as the Kung-Fo Master said, "Grasshopper, you have much to learn before you can take the pebble from my hand"...)


PS, i know it's not "Kung-Fo" but the board censors would not allow F-U......i think i know why....lol...lol...lol....!!!!

 

I'm guilty of that!

 

i think that if drivers actually took the time to breathe, they would be far better off than always rushing......the load will get there especially if one plans the trip properly and makes allowances for traffic conditions..no need to raise one's blood pressure, as we are only as good as our last haul...since there isn't any real satisfying of the company why damage one's health and well being...and have a disdain for the industry.....??

 

Rerun is absolutely right on that one! You do need to give yourself a break here and there. A few days out of the truck and you will actually find yourself missing it. (hopefully it not missing!)

While on topic of the trailer doors, you want to use caution when opening them. If your load has shifted or fallen over it could be leaning against the doors and when you open them it can all come crashing down on your cabesa! A load of beer kegs stacked high could #### near kill you!

Keep a clean logbook - Make sure your writing is nice and neat and everything is organized and you will be commended for it. Keep loose leaf and mix them up so that if you make a mistake you can easily write a new one. Reason for keeping them mixed up is because they are numbered and you don't want DOT to know you are re-writing logs. Make sure to throw out logs that you have made mistakes on at every chance you get. This is just paraphernalia for them to find. You can use white out but it is sloppy looking and may get questioned.

As far as leasing, just keep that on the back burner for now. Concentrate on your task at hand.

Not only will maintenance and daily PTI's keep accidents from happening but it could prevent you from sitting on the side of the road out in the middle of the desert waiting for a repair truck to come along. Keep some extra parts, duct tape, hoses, clamps, air hose repair kits, etc... on hand. Tools, bulbs, and extra fluids can get you out of a jam or help you limp to a shop if need be.

Defensive driving - Yes! Good idea. You may find offensive driving such as putting your turn signal on and hugging the line helpful too. Sometimes a little trailer wiggle can be more influential to those pesky 4-wheelers in places like LA or NYC. In MODERATION! 4-wheelers have a tendency to not want to assist you in lane changes and merging. Drive that big rig like a dinosaur not a NASCAR! Always think 3 steps ahead of what's going on and always have an "out" on the mind. Try to keep some space for yourself in case of an invasive maneuver. A nice little buffer all the way around you is always good to have.

The way you leave a company can greatly affect your DAC - Also the company you choose can greatly affect your DAC too! Mega-carriers won't hesitate to falsely blemish your record! It's best to stay away from them all together. Your success in the industry will be much greater with a smaller company that is going to treat you like a human being instead of a number!

Make sure to plan your home time or days off around what is going on in the industry. Most experienced drivers take their major time off in January because this is the slowest time of the year. You don' t want to be at home when the freight is running. Also plan your 34hr resets so that you are resting while the shipper/receivers and dispatchers are. For instance, the middle of the week is not a good time to be sitting. Late Saturday afternoon through Sunday is a great time to do laundry and build up your hours. This will give you a fresh start for the week to come. Pulling into a truck stop before 3pm will save you time too. Will also get you a better parking spot. You will waste valuable time waiting in line for two hours to get a shower late in the day or also spending an hour circling the truck stops looking for a place to shut down. Try to fuel before you shut down or just before heading out for the day. This will save you an extra stop. Fueling eats up 30-45 minutes of your day. During your driving time try to minimize your stops and if you do need pee-pee breaks aim for the rest stops, they are a lot quicker and easier to get in and out of. Always contact your DM before the afternoon on Friday to take care of anything you need for the weekend. Night dispatch and weekend dispatch are usually useless! If you are expecting bad weather or know you are going to be running into it, find yourself a good parking spot to stop and check road conditions and weather where you are headed. Try not to wait to the last minute. If you can make it then back out you go, if not you have a good spot already reserved. Fuel up before you are going to be shut down for awhile too.

Hope some of this helps, good luck out there!

 

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The most important thing to learn is- you never stop learning.

 

1) Trailer doors are designed to stay securely opened. The problem is you'll get trailers where the door/hooks was damaged. I seen my share of jury rigged fixes and disrepair. Those are the ones you have to watch. Especially in windy weather. Like Rerun said, a bungee cord is your friend.

2) As a professional, you want to be good at what you do. It's fair trade for that paycheck you get and sets a path to a secure future. You want to keep that logbook right and neat looking. But you will be tested and pushed by many. More than ever now with CSA2010 you will have to do things the right way or you won't be driving long.

3) Leasing has it's advantages and disadvantages. The main reason companies have lease opportunities is they found it to be more profitable for them. First you have to become a good driver as a company driver with no ther distractions. Then when you have experience and you think you have good business sense, you can give it a try. But I don't recommend it. Most drivers think they'll make more money and eventially own their own truck one day. The truth is if you do pay it off, you'll have a worn out piece of junk. As expensive as health care has risen, one needs benefits including a 401K.

4) Pretrips are important and is part of everyones job. Your truck is a part of you and alot of things you'll know if anything is going wrong. But not everything will give you a warning. That's why you must use your eyes and hands instead of just your brains.
Trailers on the other hand, you don't have that I know you relationship because you are always drop/hooking. Many will pass their problems on to you so you have to stay on top of your pretrip with them. Again CSA2010 will get you.

5) Most said it all already. Don't be a tailgater. You can get down the road just as fast 300' behind someone as you can up against their arse. As a trucker, you'll expand your scanning capabilities and distance. Always look for an out. The shoulder is your friend. That's one reason not to be a middle lane hog.

6) Yes always leave a company the right way. It takes awhile to get behind the seat and it takes awhile to get out of it. There are no quick short cuts even if your temper is flaring. What one wants to do and what's right is always two different things. What's right will get you another job.

7) There ain't no 7

Decision, decisions. Try to make as many right ones as you can. You'll go further.