New to the forum, Have questions, mostly stopping ?

Down shifting and double clutching will be the last thing on your mind in a true, "gotta this this thing slowed down (stopped)" scenario. Seconds, milliseconds will count and, in this type of situation, the only recourse you will have is to use the BRAKES (dry pavement)!!!!

I'm a relatively new driver (coming up on 2 years solo) and have had a few close calls. In those close calls, I relied first and foremost on the brakes and then, when I slowed down sufficiently, I down shifted. (Again, dry pavement)

Every potentially a-hole wrenching situation is different or, at least, that's been my experience. Your best defense is to keep your following distance what it should be, keep your speed what it should be with respect to road conditions and traffic density, and always, ALWAYS, be aware of what is around you. Use your mirrors and your EYES!!!!

If road conditions or traffic density begin to get you knotted up...shut down!!!!! Your life is important and so is the life (lives) of those sharing the road with you.

 

with some companies you get your dispatch and your late before you even start.lol usually they have it all figured out. except for the "poop happens factor", then you contact dispatch and apprise them of the situation and maybe a new ETA.

 

I don't have too much experience as a company driver, so take this for what it's worth.

They will not allow you time for traffic and stuff. They will expect you to run as far as possible for 11 hours and then take your mandatory break. Most likely they will tell you when you can fuel and where you need to be by a certain time, while they sit at their desk.

All the big companies are calculating everything down to the penny nowadays. They will send you to the cheapest location for fuel they can find along your route. The problem arises when all those companies are sending all their drivers there at the same time. Some days you can spend 30 minutes or more waiting in line, and then take another 15 fueling your truck.

My $.02 is get your CDL on your own and then look for a company that offers training. Oilfield is a good place to start.

 

do what this person says:

18-wheel is somewhat like instrument flying = you really really have to see all available sight-distance and use it and use all of it all the time

what happens if you do not is not really taught in instructional ~ there are drivers who would cram on the brakes in that situation but the million-milers know not to get in it in the first place

when I drove it was not like today - but then and now the number one is to not get in the situation in the first place and if you do paying for a house on a burger-flippin job does not happen

site operator prohibits the use of language that describes what that is like

 

heh It may be a challenge for you never driving a stick shift before since everyone in my class had driven stick shifts in cars and/or trucks. The only thing I had to get used to was double clutching and downshifting which I picked up eventually. They will teach you about safety in your school just keep your distance and stay in your lane and you will be fine. I must be very lucky because the 4 wheelers on the road get out of my way so I have no problem with them. The other truckers in truck stops are my concern since some guys pull in there doing 30 mph and only give you two inches of space to maneuver around you. Plus some truck stops are so small you have to jack knife you truck blindside just to park and that is scary for me lol. I can get out and look but when I get back inside my whole angle changes...

 

My assignments are always different. For example, two days ago I had just enough time to make it to my destination and that is when I hustle and do not even stop for breaks. However this load I am on right now I have way too much time so I am going to take a 34 hour restart and drive halfway, shutdown and take a 10 hour break and then complete the rest of the journey.

 

That's a much better attitude than "Hit them. They deserve it ." All to often the ones that "deserve it " may have children in the back seat . The problem iss leaving your lane to take evasive action puts you at fault if you hit somethibg else . With a loaded tanker swerving is very likely to result in a rollover .
While you are taught to keep a safe interval this is nearly impossible with trucks governed to run below the speed limit because vehicles are constantly passing them and cut in reducing the interVal to less than hlf that required to stop safely.