Try running a load into Brooklyn or Chicago using only a map and whatever knowledge you can bum off of other drivers. That's old school.
I missed a turn today. I came to a stop and pulled up google maps satellite to see if and where I could turn around and I'm glad I did because all but one option would have put me in it. They didn't have orbiting satellites to rescue them.
Same goes for breakdowns. If you don't have a cell phone how are you going to call the company? No Qualcomm no nothing. What then? You better hope somebody stops to help.
My truck tells me when I have a slight deviation in tire pressure. It warns me to the possibility of ice. I have a GPS system that warns me when I'm about to get into some wind and a phone that will report traffic conditions anywhere on earth.
When I think of old school I don't think of drivers in the 1970's but dudes who cut their teeth 10 years ago. We have it easy. Today I spent 9 hrs holding a steering while computers monitored the truck and made sure I didn't miss a turn.
Imagine not knowing which truck stops have Popeyes and pull through parking. What would we do?
What is a Steering Wheel Holder?!
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Hazardous, Mar 8, 2016.
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Steering wheel holder: The driver you see riding down the road with his/her head resting in his/her hand and his/her left foot on the dash watching a movie on his/her phone paying attention or caring what's going on around him/her..
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It's good to know what engine u have. Roadside will call u asking what u got, or just having an experienced with it like knowing a dd13 seem to be less powerful than a dd15. Or missing the sound of a Detroit engine before dpf
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It's easy to look back and say something was harder but in reality it is no diffrent than today.
If you don't know any better you always make the best of your situation and that makes it easy. People have always declared hardship on the ones thst come before but it has more to do with change. If you did not know what air conditioning was you could never miss it. Or power sterling or xm radio etc....
In the 22 years I spent in the Army I had the pleasure of visiting spending time in some austere conditions that sucked big buckets of d!#k the people there however didn't seem to mind bec a use that is all they know and are happy for what they got.
Spending time in other places that are more difficult than what you are accustomed sure makes one thankful for what they got.
Next time you think you have a crappy truck don't run the climate control for a week see how much you appreciate it.MidWest_MacDaddy, str8t10, Diesel Dave and 3 others Thank this. -
Most drivers are paid less than 40cpm to move goods from point A to point B. That's actually the main reason why they were hired. They were not hired as diesel mechanics but as professional drivers. That's why most companies have a maintenance departments to take care of break downs and things that nature. Therefore, divers do not have to fix broken stuff under the hood unless they are sure they're knowledgeable enough to do so. Because if you create a bigger problem while trying to be a super trucker, you'll live to regret it. Minor stuffs,no biggy.
That's why I always adamantly do my pre/post trips everyday to make sure I can safely and professionally move the load from point A to point B. Now any employer that needs me to do any kind of mechanic work on their equipment will have to pay me more and provide the proper training before that. Until then, I will just ride like an airline pilot. They don't fix planes, I don't fix trucks either. I am just a driver. If something breaks down, I call maintenance. Call me what you want but as long as I get the load their safely and on time, I am happy. Now when I get my own truck it'll be a different ball game.Last edited: Mar 9, 2016
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