Problems Driving a Rig

I had a trainee just like that, this was a year and a half ago, he calls me daily to tell me how great he's doing, minus the silly changes the company (TMC) has been making since i left. He wanted to quit every day for the 5 weeks that i had him, almost started crying a few times, i never let him. I forced him to drive through things that would've made me nervous, and he is a better driver because of it. He scored a 99 on his road test.

I did push him, though. We ran alot of grey roads, lot's of mountains, lot's of roads without shoulders, etc. It got him over most of his fear, sometimes you just have to trust the truck, don't be afraid to grab that #### wheel like you own it, if you feel like your gonna hit something, move, it's that easy. I kept repeating this to him, "YOU are driving the truck, the truck isn't driving you." He still talks about it when i speak with him.

There are alot of guys that are told about how easy it is to roll over, how easy it is to crash, etc. They are afraid to make even the smallest correction in the wheel because they never had a chance to see what the equipment was capable of doing without creating a hazard. I don't agree with doing it on a snowy/slick/rainy road, but In some ways you almost have to test your equipment so that you know what it's capable of... Being a little nervous is good, but being scared means you will make a mistake, like an earlier poster said.. However, guys that have been driving 30+ years are still a little nervous, that's the best way to ensure that you're on your toes and not getting too comfortable or confident.

I'd think that if you've had trainers push you before you should be over most of this by now, unless they just weren't pushing you in the right way. I was never in a hurry to make money when i had a trainee, because my trainer sucked and never explained anything.. He told me to do this, or that, and never explained why so that when i got on my own i was forced to learn a whole hell of a lot, if it wasn't for my dad who's been driving all his life i would've been screwed on alot of occasions, he taught me more than my trainer did... When i started training i made it a point to do the exact opposite. You can still make great money and be patient with people, rushing too much is asking for trouble imo.

I hope this helps, like Kabar said, if you aren't cut out for it, you aren't cut out for it I'm not really sure if there is anything magical i can tell you that will help, but i hope that for what it's worth i have helped a bit. I truly believe that if this guy that I'm referring to can do it, and end up happy, making good money, and still incident free then you likely can too, because he was honestly that bad. A great guy, and a great friend, nonetheless... He just sucked at driving, mainly because he was scared all the time.

 

Some folks may refer to it as fear. I prefer something along the lines of a healthy respect for the mortality of man.

There are hundreds of buildings and facilities across this nation and overseas that are named after folks who were considered "fearless" - and is why I tell my COmbat Engineer brother on his third trip to the sandbox to not get anything named after him.

 

I would rather have you drive safe then try to impress me. I spent several years driving between WA. and AK. and in AK. on roads that make construction sites look like freeways. So I think there are a breeze. But you be safe, I just deal with it and curse under my breath.

 

Oh, bro, you don't have to curse under your breath. Get it out of your system and yell. I'll laugh with ya. (While I'm going slow.) Once I get through the construction zone, I'll move out of your way and wave as you go by. (And I promise to use more than one finger!)

 

Kabar, nowhere did I read that ed was trying to impress you.

 

Take your wannbe butt and go away. Stop trying to cause trouble where there is none. He understood even if you didn't.

 

Not trying to cause trouble. I'd rather be a "wannabe" and drive safe than the other way around.

Please try and get your point across without the "insults". Thanks.

 

Most constructions zones are pretty dang slow I don't see how you can go much slower. But whatever makes you happy, don't worry if I'm allowed to pass I will but remember if I'm dragging arse because of you then things aren't pretty in my truck.

 

I think I got my opinion across just fine. And if I didn't then let me break it down for you.

If I want the opinion of a wannabe then I'll give you one.Okey dokey? okey dokey.