Sometimes you have to just do it.

When I got my cdl the only book I read was air brakes. Nothing in there said “isn’t it pretty to think so” now I know why. Nothings pretty in this industry other then some of the rigs you see.

 

When I do help, I tell them I’ll spot them. I won’t tell you what to do, just yell and wave if your gonna hit something.
They will only learn by figuring it out on there own. Not me telling them which way to turn or pull up...

 

No way. I've been advised to mind my own business too many times in several different languages and they all involved cussing.

Now, that being said, if some rookie asks me for help I'll do everything I can and I'll stay there until the lesson is learned and the problem resolved no matter how long it takes.

But offering unsolicited advice? Not unless they're doing something that's dangerous to them or the people around them. Otherwise, they're on their own.

 

When I do help, I also only spot them, but when I discover they are newbies and have been backing for 10 min, I feel forced to attempt to instruct them. Some take my advice, others don’t trust me. I suspect it’s my age. Hahaha. Sometimes I also tell them my years of trucking experience, but it doesn’t always work.

 

@REO6205 i guess it’s more of words of encouragement then advice. I agree the politeness of the industry has gone away.

 

If someone asks for help, I'll give it, but I'm not going to offer it up. Too many people these days don't take kindly to assistance from someone more knowledgeable. I love advice from older hands who know what they're doing most of the time.

 

I hear ya. It’s actually the last line in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises.

 

I've had more than one rookie ask me if I would back their truck in for them. Ugh, that would be a big negative, driver.

 

"Oh Jake, We could of had such a #### good time together."

 

I had a Peterbilt driver with a apartment complex behind the cab ask me once. I looked at him and said we would need the ground crew from the nearest airport to get that job done.