New driver as owner operator ???

Absolutely!
The RIGHT co-driver makes ALL the difference.

Example:
When I was runnin' team, we could only drive 10 hours, then had to take an 8 hour break. Usually we'd drive around 8 hour shifts, then change drivers. But knowing my co-driver's preferences, I've been known to extend my drive a tad so my co-driver could wake up in a favored truck stop and/or a preferred restaurant.

HuH?
Where are we?
We're parked in the front row of Momma Mia's Spicy Italian Restaurant. Ready to eat?
But that's 45 miles past where your 8 hours were up and we planned to change drivers.
Well, according to MY log book, we did change drivers back there.
I reckon that puts you 45 miles and about an hour ahead already.
And payback for that Thermos of Gourmet coffee you fetched for me while I was sleeping yesterday.

A few cups of good coffee when waking up makes my day.
When changing drivers in a rest area with coffee machines, a Thermos of good coffee to start the day sure is nice.
And much appreciated.
One good turn deserves another.

 

OW, I'm glad you mentioned that.
WhY?
I'm even gladder that you asked.

What, I think, many folks don't realize is that many of our conversations will be read by hundreds, if not thousands, of folks doin' research. As well they should.

Amid the direct answers to questions, which some of the researchers may or not remember, we interject our personalities to, shall I say, "drive" the point home ---- using real-life examples whenever possible and/or applicable. And many times relate how we handle(d) unique situations we've encountered, often from different angles not ordinarily considered.
Food For Thought, if you will ....... "thought" being the key word here.
But mostly, --- and I think MOST important --- is to get 'em to learn the BEST way, --- by illustrating, for/to them, how to THINK for themselves.
And, as an added bonus, while they're doin' that, they can log in here at TTR, and tell the others researching here how they managed to git 'er done.
Advice ------
And the beat goes on ---
~~~ Sunny and Share ~~~

Some of those who do research, do so by reading just the Cliff-Notes.
Just the "facts", and such.
Which would, no doubt, be useful.
It'll give a wannaBee a "feel" for passin' the tests, and, depending on how much research they're puttin' in, ........ a "taste" to go with that "feel".

I try to present information that remains in the brain.
Hopefully easily accessed.

Not "just" the facts.
But "WHY" they are (facts).
Straight from the hip.
No sugar-coating.

As a driver trainer, I noticed similarities in the trainees, and yet no two are the same.
I tried to learn how I could best relate to them, as much as possible/practical, rather than pile the impossible task of understanding me on a newBee.
HaiL!
I'm an old geezer!
And I STILL don't think, even I, Shakey AfterShock, can comprehend THAT.
I try to do the same here, just in the written form.
I've been told I sound much better in writing.
And, for some, easier to ignore.
Imagine that.
What's not to like with that arrangement?

Those who are researching the deepest might read far enough to recognize our different cyber-personalities.
Those who do, especially those who catch on quickly, indicate more interest, and the target of my market --- so to speak, or write, or read.
Those who read more, it's been my experience, tend to also think more, --- and remember what they think.
I think that's called "learning" or "learned".
Either way, that's a satisfying goal to achieve.
I think, ........ anyway.

Those who can, and do, read betwixt some of our "lines", I think, have, at least, a peek at an insight into what's known as Big truck truckin.
We report (usually with fewer comma's )
y'all decide.

gawd!
I sure appreciate mechanics who will talk shop with/to me.
Even better when they know what they're sayin'.
So, ....... as a result of your related mechanic's experience, you're probably pretty familiar with Big truck truckers.
Right?
That's a good start.
Ya reckon.

Just imagine wearin' a suit & tie for 20 years,
and then out of necessity find yourself in the wonderful world of
Big truck truckin' --- and ALL that goes with it.
Scary thought, no?
Would "culture shock" be an appropriate description?

Maybe
maybe not.
It might be considered "foolish" to ignore what you might not realize you really know, ........ already.
Ya know?
That's why I'm pickin' and ticklin' your brain.
Written Hypnosis?
Are y'all gittin' sleepy?

Might just be the teacher, or two, too.
HaiL! --- as old dawgs, we're qualified to teach new dogs OLD tricks.
One's they don't even realize existed.
Does that mean, eventually, old tricks become new trix again?
I'm told that history repeats itself.
Is it twue?
Is it twue?

Me too. Only I say
"bovine excrement".
Exactly the same though ---
only different.

Now that right thar makes me go,
Hmmmmmmmmmm
Have y'all noticed that old dawgs seem to be gittin' younger ---
or are the young dawgs, --- gittin' older, ........ sooner?
But, ....... I digressed,........................................ again.
Didn't I?

*(Break channel for some local information.
Are there any researchers out thar (still) readin' this? :smt024
Helllllllll-0?
Come in?
10-4?)*

 

I just wish you'd teach some of my college courses then I know I'd pass.......I can read between anything ya write and then some!!!:smt064:smt019

 

But that's only 'cause I write big and double space.

I thought you said it was called Horse Tradin'?

I did and I do, still, call it that.
Sometimes.
But since I started ridin' my horse named "Horse"
over at the other site, I'm a might shy about confusin' him.
And Horse is a horse, of course, of course.
Mention his name along with Tradin' and he sulks for weeks.

Sunggles up to Old Grand Dad Kentucky Grain.
Comes bottled
100 proof.

"Culture Shock"
Is that a distant cousin?

Hmmmmmmmm
Ya know?!
I don't know.
Just might be.
If not now, .............
maybe later.

 

That just goes to show you he acts like he knows it all. One thing that he did that is really wrong was not doing a pretrip inspection. Example of why it is important. Since getting my cdl almost 4 yrs ago the one thing I do each and every day is check the lugs on the t/t when checking my air pressure. Today while doing just that I noticed 4 lugs were loose. Before leaving the yard I went to maintenance and had them torque them done, so they won't fall of going down the road. Second thing I notice with your team member, is that he seems to want to drive, drive, drive, and not stop for proper rest..

One thing to make sure is that when your done driving, you take 10hrs off even if he doesn't like it. Remember it is your CDL at stake if you get into a accident and cause someone else harm or even death, because you did not take the proper time off. If that happens you can be assured of loosing your license for maybe life, and even face prison and even a civil suite against you. Next he told you " he had a few" before coming on shift. That right there alone I would not have gotten into that truck with him, or let him drive until he was off a complete 10hrs..

I wish the best for you and hope things work out well.. Good luck and keep it save oldwrench..

 

usually from the second day on you are so exhausted you could sleep on the hood going down the interstate.. I don't know if I would be able to sleep with him driving not knowing what his idea of a few beers is!!!

 

Ya got that right... My trainer with Swift told me that his next trainee after me was a real night mare.. One day after going out to eat, he had left to go to the rest room. When he returned his trainee was no where to be found. Well he asked the waitress if there was a place where you could my beer. She said yes down stairs at the bar. Sure enough he went down stairs to find his trainee, drinking beer and what ever else he could get his hands on.

He told the trainee that he was not allowed to drink while in training, and that they needed to get moving. His trainee gave him a hard time so he left and went back to the truck. He mad sure he took the guys keys to the truck, before he left. My trainer went back to the truck and went to bed. About 4 hrs later the trainee decides to show up at the truck, totally obliverated. Once inside the trainee fell asleep, and not long after that my trainer smelled this horrible smell.. He got up to find that his trainee pissed himself, and puked all over the inside of the sleeper.. Needless to say that he called safety in the morning and had him brought back to the nearest terminal, where they gave him a Swift kick in the butt and that ended his driving career..