Skills learned after truck driver training & being out w/ trainer

Camp Hill PA and east to Airport and 81 Jct reminds me of being called Flipping Jct.

Ive gotten so many middle fingers from those stupid yankees in their cars trying to get around me on the flyovers where they really shouldnt during rush. I simply kept right where I was forcing them to either get smashed and crushed or escape by this much. They would have done it to themselves.

 

Watch your mirrors when backing and doing slow maneuvers

I don't mean just use your mirrors to see where the trailer is. I mean watch and make sure your mirrros will clear the other guys mirror.

 

I just died of uncontrollable laughter

 

always, always watch your trailer in your mirrors when making turns

 

One of my favorite things is to anticipate what so and so will do with their truck or car etc and determine how that will affect me. In short we have already had the problem resolved in my head shortly before the actual problem develops on the highway. And there they go just like I thought they would. It makes it so much easier to decide the best way to get through the smashup with the rig without any trouble.

Provided I can see it coming. Ive always felt that whatever I don't see coming will be the end of me.

 

^^^ THIS ^^^

I think the most important thing I do every day is predict stupid.

Brake lights across all lanes of traffic a quarter of a mile ahead at the crest of a hill? Probably a good time to put on the four ways and ease into the brakes, don't you think? It's amazing to see how often even professional drivers need to slam on full brakes in a situation like that.

I watch a LOT of YouTube accident videos. It's an excellent learning tool. Often you can see the bad situation developing well in advance of the crash. I know that my hobby has helped avoid getting involved with messes.

 

Most important thing learned...

Demolition Man (the Stallone movie) had a saying that I really liked, “Enhance Your Calm.”
In everything that you can do in the job, there are little techniques that you will learn. Millions and millions of little tricks that will make you more efficient at your craft.

On the other hand, there will be bad roads, bad loads, bad shippers and receivers, bad times at home, bad weather, bad people, bad traffic, bad mechanical issues, bad tires, bad checks. If you’re hotheaded or panicky or anxious or nervous or impatient, that’s going to mess up your game.

Enhance your calm.

If you are not calm, you cannot think effectively.

Luck in battle.

 

Best thing I learned from my trainer was to respect the product and do it proper. Granted, we were training on sulphuric at the time, but still... check those valves!