Truckers Need Extraordinary Responsibility And Self-Reliance - An Article By Rainy
Topic 22290 | Page 1
Great article.
One of the things I try to do with students is take them on a "hand-shake" tour before they go out solo. I introduce them to my DM , her boss, his boss, etc. They get their cards and put a face to the voice or Qualcomm messages. Knowing who to call and when to call is important.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
What a great article, I couldn't agree more. Plus, it was nice seeing my truck in Rainy's article.
Recently, while taking a class at our Joplin terminal , I learned some valuable tips to use while backing under a trailer and a switch in the truck that will help smooth out backing with the trailer. We never stop learning. I too have several experienced drivers who I talk to daily. If we don't accept responsibility for our actions, how can we grow and learn?
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Very awesome article. I have a short list in my phone also. Started it day one. Still stay in contact with my trainer still to this day.
Thanks guys. All of this is so intwined. between judgment and decision making to good communication skills and being resourceful. like Big Scott said, the learning never stops.
I learn each and every day!!!!!
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We have another awesome article by Rainy called:
Truckers Need Extraordinary Responsibility And Self-Reliance
This theme is one of the cornerstones of our beliefs here at TruckingTruth. You have to take responsibility for everything you do and you have to be a creative problem solver than can figure things out on the fly.
Whether it's getting to appointments on time, doing a proper pre-trip inspection on the truck, or knowing when it's time to park it, the driver is the captain of that ship and must take responsbility for everything that happens out there.
You're going to face a ton of challenges early on in your career that you're not quite sure how to handle. Don't make rash decisions and don't make assumptions. Know where to get help. Maybe it's dispatch, maybe it's breakdown, maybe it's an experienced driver you know you can trust. In the end you will have no one to blame if you make bad decisions or fail to get the job done safely and on time.
I like to say that trucking is an extraordinary job for extraordinary people. Most people underestimate how demanding trucking is. Hopefully you'll read through this website and great articles like this so you'll be well prepared for the challenges you'll be facing:
Truckers Need Extraordinary Responsibility And Self-Reliance
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated