What new drivers should know

From reading here in forums and personal experience w/ friends getting into the business. We are in a sad place where not even the month or so OTR trainer is much more than a newbie teaching paper work and procedure, vs actual experience and real world 'holy ####' moments. Seems we've created a new breed that doesn't care, and little fellowship/brotherhood that is required.

I'd like this thread to be helpful to newbies, is all. NOT bashing, goal is to educate new drivers to the way we used to do it.

• Get a CB, a cheap one will help you more than this post on how etiquette works... you don't have to speak, just listen.
• Don't pass a 62.5 mph truck w/ 63mph... In a ten hour day you gain 5 mins.<-- hardly worth all the braking some driver make you do for making pissed off driver wait.
• No your place, you have a 70mph rig but can't pull hills... don't make everyone pass you 3,4 times, just know your limitations. (on the second pass give up, your gaining nothing but a headache)
• On 6+ lane, when traffic passes on both sides move to right lane. No matter the speed limit you are impeding traffic.(makes you more a hazard than merging traffic on right)
• Flash/dim your lights when another truck is at a comfortable distance while passing. (dim at night / flash high during day)

Above is/ used to be common sense... everyone was taught this. Now for what they don't teach in fly by training:

• While following another truck, give proper distance... your actions will mimic his but should not depend on front door ever to make decision for you in emergency avoidance.
• Night, fog, rain, hug zipper you only have 2 or less seconds to react w/ break down on shoulder.
• Snow, freezing weather cars are your first warning... they go in ditch first w/ small wheel base. SLOW DOWN.
• Fog lights help ONLY certain situations. Long as they are aimed correctly.
• Run your High beam only when on back roads. (Try this on hwy, you may get blinded @ wrong time... I wanna get aircraft landing light for you morons)
• In heavy traffic watch heads, and speed of other vehicles... When you get eyes for this, you'll know ahead of time what each car wants and anticipate their action well before they signal.

Bad weather:

• In rain, know your wake, cars will try to pass but sit dumbly blinded next to you not knowing if its worse or better in front... sometimes its better to help them along.
• In snow, you always have crazy slow driver that asks for trouble... snow is your friend, its not bad traction, just need some guts to run it. Look for distance between you and right lane... most snow covered states provide rub strip/ aka wake up strip. This is how plow drivers know where to run. If your passing give all the room you can, if your being passed know you still got plenty of room on shoulder.
• Ice, there is no way to make time safely... shut it down.
• Even if all you've ever been told is never use engine brake, or trailer brake... they do work and can be your 'out' in certain situations.

If ever in a slide and your trailer has traction... Grab trailer brake, gently, will get you out of tractor knife.
If in a jab brake situation on greasy road, turn on engine brake... this keeps tractor wheels turning and you in control.
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Like to hear more if you got any?

 

I figured everyone has been learned to clutch first, my bad... yes and thank you Phil S! That is exactly the info we need in this thread. My info was determined upon tractor slide/knife... happens more w/ spread axle, but still find it helpful in reserve tank of last min response.

I should've given more thought b4 post.

 

If you can do it, than by all means pls do! on the third pass I'm for sure leaving you sitting in left lane and get NO help from me, look like a moron I don't care. Fourth time I jump in left lane and stop the nonsense.