Newbies, What have you learned?

I learned to toughen up, that I'm not as nice as my family thinks. LOL That my sense of humor isn't understood by most people.

And I learned to back and alley dock on this forum. LOL It's true. People took the time to actually draw pictures, scan them and post them so I'd see how to do it.

Okay I really can't list everything about trucking I learned on this forum because it's just TO much. It's everything from the political pressures in trucking, to stupid laws, taxes, per diems, safety, why to wear the stupid bunk harness, I'm currently learning about becoming an O/O, and the list goes on.

But for me the most important things I've learned are : I don't have to be what others want, I can just be myself and let them go piddle in the wind if they don't like it. I've learned that at the absolutely worst moment in my life when I began to think my husband would die, there were ten members of this forum willing to drop loads, life and come to my side if I gave the word. TEN I find that absolutely freaking amazing. We're not related, don't church together, know each other only through the forum and some of them I've never even spoken to on the phone. but they offered to drog everything and come to me because they saw through my posts to my absolute desperate fear. Utter awesome people.

I've learned that simply red (Judi Kay), guys lady, (Bonnie) BW9, Injun are willing to put up with my horrible bad habit of never returning phone calls and persevere in calling me and talking to my voice mail. I've never seen people so determined to be my friends. LOL That Redd is the bluntest, rudest man EVER and has a heart of gold under all the rough.

I found my faith again on this forum. I'd lost it while in ministry and from the lovely kind "church people". I was squashed and yet the arguments on the religion forum helped me refind my own beliefs.

I look at members like Scarecrow, Lighthouse, SweetsouthernRide and I'm amazed at their generous spirits in times of crisis.

I wouldn't trade this forum or it's members for the richest, fanciest people in the world.


Crud, I made myself cry. I hate you all.

 

That's because you got that stupid blue tooth that no one can hear you on.... So since I can't hear you, I can't admit to talking to you!

 

Oh Nana.... Those are the sweetest words I have ever read that described me....

 

I knew they'd just tickle you my lil' love puppy. But I also meant the next part too. You're a good person, a kind and loving person.


LOL You're about to puke aren't you?

 

Only a little in my mouth.... But I swallowed it back down!


Dinner tastes just as good the second time

 

I've learned not to become too complacent even though I've done the same maneuver 100's or 1000's of times. I've also learned that someone can ask a question and get 16 different answers and all of them can be right in some way or another.

 

*sarcasm* I've learned driving without cruise control is a safety hazard cause I'll get fatigued from having my foot on the pedal all day

*serious* I've learned a great little trick for sliding tandems- if the release bar won't lock, use a pair of vice grips to hold it out while sliding.

 

Or a load strap hooked onto the rail of the trailer next to you.

 

I think the biggest thing I've learned is that not all companies are created equal and that I am very lucky to have started with one that is a great fit for me.

Another thing is that there are a whole lot of people who give lots of time to this place. I've picked up countless bits of useful info from experienced drivers and newbies alike.

I don't think there's any specific topic or thread to point to but I read a whole lot more than I post and encourage new drivers to do the same.