Questions for experienced drivers.

IMHO you need to learn all you can about the system and the truck while you're in training. Forget the TV's, games, and whatever. Your first year should be learning all you can. That includes how the truck works, the laws, defensive driving, and how to conduct yourself out on the road. You never stop learning this job and anyone that tells you they know all there is to know is just full of it. Sure you can have times to relax and have fun but your primary responsibility is driving the truck. Plus you've got to know the difference between a steering wheel holder and a professional driver.

Research is a must and you've got to do a lot of it. Before you start school you should know what the difference in schools are and what type of job you'll be interested in. Your life will change and one big item new people tend to forget or don't know is what you do off duty CAN have an effect on your career. You should have an idea of what school you want and what type of job you'll like. Set some goals for yourself and just don't stop when you see something you like. Don't trust any school or recruiter. You can can use what they say but always beware. You should know how to research a company's safety record and their turnover rate before you even talk with them. The idea is to use them for what you need just as much as they are going to use you. You can move up in this industry to where you'll have a very good job but it takes hard safe work to get there. The better companies are not going to advertise because the have people waiting. You have to think differently than the crowd and knowledge is how you win.

 

"Two objects in motion heading towards the same point at different speeds or from slightly different angles will arrive at the same time."
PARDON???

 

Why? Its the only way i get the right answer? lol

 

If only I had found trucking when I was young and single...
IF you have NO obligations, and nothing tying you down to your current location...
Try it out a for a few months...if you like it, get a truck, or at least a very flexible company to work for, put your belongings in storage, and live on the road for 4-5 years. If you can hang out with it, and I don't why a single young guy couldn't...
In 5 years, you'd be set-up for hell of a life.
Think about it, what is anyone's largest expense? RENT/MORTGAGE
Cut that out of the equation, your only constant bill being $75 month for storage (assuming you have stuff to store) and a $75 cell phone. Eat healthy and reasonably in the truck...There is no reason you can't make $60-70k/yr. Which, with no bills, is like making well over $100k+ You could easily save $20-30k/yr for 5 yrs...you can figure the rest out. I know it's not quite what you asked, I just get excited/jealous whenever I see someone that young thinking of taking advantage of such a great opportunity!

 

Yeah that's what I was thinking. Sounds like Bud Light's third law of motion.

 

Avoid getting your license from ANY major company like Schneider,CRST and CR England. They will suck your blood DRY. You practically sell your soul to the devil when you sign ANY contract.

Take your time and read the CDL book and take it at your own leisure.

I experienced it the hard way,I already did the knowledge exams,but nobody would provide me a truck. Yep.

 

No Bud light powered thinking here.
The confusion about this is, in part, the problem with some Drivers.
A car coming down the on ramp at a different angle and speed could be at the end of the acceleraton lane at the same time you get there traveling to that same point in a straight line.
A slight increase or decrease in speed of either vehicle results in the space required for a smooth merging of the two.
The shorter distance they have to reach that point being the reason.
Closing rates when coming up on another vehicle help with smooth passing of slower moving vehicles.
Learning this can reduce the need to slam on brakes when that car tries to merge, or when you run up on a slower vehicle in your lane.

 

Ok I've worked out what you are saying.
Reading that confuses me totaly but I've got the point.
Yes that's very important. It allways amazes me how 4wheelers
Only wake up AT the merge and try to make a plan then.

Ok nobody shoot, some 4wheelers do it.

 

yea just tell him to leave his inside lights on lol. some tooothless fat arse lot lizard wait till he gets his first flashing going down the freeway i bet that will be a kodak moment

 

I love it when the 4-wheelers try to merge at 45mph on the intestate. I've seen some of them just cruise along the rumble strip at 45 with their left turn signal on. Others just lose their grip all together and come to a stop at the end of the ramp.