Over the road!

Congratulations on your new job! It was mentioned before, but I’ll say it again do not park in the fuel island!!! Some of the rest of us that come after you may have a tight schedule we’re trying to keep. Work shoes are not that expensive, and they look much more professional than flip-flops. I know many people wear flip-flops but I do not think that makes it OK. Drive with your feet on the floor, not up on the dash. And if you see a driver trying to wiggle into a tight spot, for Petes sake, get out and spot for him, don’t sit there and take a video
of his struggle. As far as meeting a lot of people, if you have a friendly demeanor and a happy smile, you’d be surprised how many friends you can make. Good luck, and happy truckin!!!

 

The no parking in fuel islands is a real deal , iv seen drivers get beat up for doing that . Getting seals broken , doors left open even doors locked by one you don't even own . One guy turned a reefer up to 70 on a -10 load the driver didn't notice till it was too late .

 

You will meet cashiers at the truck stop, customers when you deliver/pick up, and an occasional cop/DOT officer. Otherwise it's as solitary as you make it.

My advice is don't get involved in anyone else's argument, don't correct other people's behavior/language, and don't look for trouble/bargains/drugs/lot lizards. Always park in a legal parking spot on private and public property. Everybody you meet is probably over-worked or already frustrated. It's not your job to fix their problem, give them a new problem, or advice unless they ask for it. Outsiders think OTR is a lot more risky, confrontational, unpredictable than it is. It's mostly the same dang thing over and over and over and over.

 

You're not suggesting lot lizards cause problems are you?

 

Turn your headlights off while a driver is backing into a spot, DON'T make it more difficult by blinding them.

Also, use your hazards while backing. It alerts everyone HEY I'M GOING TO BACK UP, give me a minute and I will get out of your way. Versus WTH! is this guy doing angled in the parking lot blocking everyone scenario and them racing behind you, thinking you're the problem.

 

Some might even support drivers parked at the fuel island getting beaten up.

 

The problem with driving OTR is that the only people you have real face-to-face interactions with are:
1) Shippers and receivers, who have DOZENS of other drivers also vying for their attention.
2) Cashiers at truckstops who haven't given a #### for the last 8 years.
3) Cops and DOT who are giving you a ticket.
4) Waitresses; same as #2.....
5) Lot lizards and other 'shady people'.

 

Good Luck enjoy the ride. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be kind to the ones that are having a bad day, we don't know what they are dealing with. Dress respectfully. Drive like everyone else is distracted because ... they are. I prefer driving at night much less headaches and traffic. Keep your CB on even though you might not use it at least listen for problems ahead.
Happy Trails

 

My favorite part about trucking is not having to meet people if I don’t want to, I stay to myself and that’s the way I like it. I do specialized type work so most of my customers are familiar faces, 9 times out of 10 though I show up, get my ticket signed, dump their product and move on.

 

Always look way down the road. Watch for brake lights and other indicators of stopped or slowed traffic. Read the road signs and pay attention to what they are telling you. Watch for stopped vehicles on the shoulder, move over away from them if you can for safety sake. Keep your eyes moving and look for hazards, always leave yourself a way out.