Tag Archives: driver responsibilities

The Showdown With “The Colonel” – Handling My Trainer’s Tirades

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Philosopher Paul

3200 miles with colonel Kurtz and still going surprisingly well. I needed to keep things light with this guy because I still had two or three weeks left with him. When it seemed like he wasn’t going to let up on me, I knew we were going to have a showdown. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Getting Ready To Lease A Truck

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Corporal Clegg

After much thought I’ve decided to try leasing a truck from my company. Here’s an intro to who I am and some of my initial thoughts before my lease begins. Continue reading →

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The Difference Between Truck Drivers and Professional Truck Drivers

Posted on April 26, 2011 by TruckerMike

The world has its share of unprofessional drivers, and driving a truck for a living doesn’t necessary exclude you from this category. What does it mean to truly be a professional driver? Here’s some great advice to help keep you safe out there. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Safe Driving Tips | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Rookie Drivers: Time Management Tips And Mileage Goals

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Brett Aquila

For rookie truck drivers, time management skills are critically important to making good money and being safe out there. Here are some important tips to help you turn more miles, get better rest, and get your career off to a great start! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Safe Driving Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When Will I Know If Trucking Was The Right Career Choice?

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Brett Aquila

Truck driving is one of the most unique jobs and lifestyles you’ll find anywhere. It’s also one of the most demanding, and trucking certainly isn’t for everyone. Everyone faces tough challenges and almost everyone questions whether or not becoming a truck driver was the right thing to do. How do you know when you’ve seen enough? When do you throw in the towel and say “Wow, this isn’t for me!” Read on and we’ll help you understand what you’re facing and when enough is enough.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, First Solo Months On The Road, On The Road In Training, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mama Said They’ll Be Days Like This

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Rick Huffman

During the two hours spent awaiting the arrival of the tow truck, I once again questioned whether I was cut out for this. For all I knew, this would mark the end of my brief trucking career. I had, however, learned another hard lesson. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Keeping Your Head Screwed On Straight In A Crisis

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Rick Huffman

I learned two things from a recent misadventure: first, that being safe out here requires being careful and being lucky and, second, that I needed to keep my head screwed on straight in a time of crisis. I had made the wrong initial decision, but I had gotten lucky—next time, I might not. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Rules: Going Back To Truck Driving School

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Angelique

On September 10th of 2009 things changed. We have to go back to school!!! Before that date for the Netherlands it was enough to get your Truck Driver’s Diploma and that was it for life. In order to get this diploma you had to do three courses: Traffic rules for Big vehicles, Auto-(truck)Technique and Administration (paperwork and HOS). But from September 2009 on all truck drivers who live and work as a driver in the European community must go back to school. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, The Economy and Politics, Trucking In Europe, Videos, Women In Trucking | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Fighting Through The Challenges Of Life On The Road

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Rick Huffman

After loading up some drywall that had to be tarped on a rainy day in a muddy mess of a parking lot I began to question whether or not becoming a truck driving was a mistake. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Night Shift

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Angelique

I work the night shift and haul carfuells. That work goes on for 24 hours almost 7 days. The Netherlands is not that big and most of the work is in our own part of Holland. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Great Stories, Stories of the Road, truck driving lifestyle, Trucking In Europe, Women In Trucking | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Bad Directions, The Wrong Entrance, and A Coon Dog Cemetery

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Rick Huffman

The first delivery of my first full solo week was to Simpsonville, South Carolina. This one, thankfully, went very smoothly; the directions were accurate, it was easy to get to, and they had me unloaded quickly. This trend, however, would prove to be of the one-in-a-row variety and I came across some odd sitings! Continue reading →

Posted in Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Stories of the Road, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Humbling Adventure: My First Delivery Driving Solo

Posted on April 15, 2010 by Rick Huffman

After saying goodbye to my trainer, it was time to set out on my first solo run. And what an adventure it turned out to be! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Questions and Answers for a Truck Driver

Posted on April 8, 2010 by TruckerMike

Recently, I was contacted by an individual who is interested in becoming a truck driver. He asked me several questions about the trucking industry and about my job. I thought they were excellent questions and decided it would be great to share on my blog for any of you interested in becoming a truck driver. I hope this helps answer some of the questions you might have! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

On The Road In Training With Ringo Part 2

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Rick Huffman

The first couple of weeks on the road driving flatbed were hard, because my body was not conditioned to this pace, this type of work, or these long hours. I lost most of the feeling in the tips of my fingers, and I had aches in places where I would have sworn I didn’t have muscles. Continue reading →

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Stories of the Road, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My First Year as a Truck Driver

Posted on March 17, 2010 by TruckerMike

Wow, it’s hard to believe, but I’ve been at my current employer for 1 year as of today. I began Truck Driving School in January of 2009, completed that in February of 2009, and was hired on in March of 2009. This post will simply serve as some observations that I’ve made as my first year of a truck driver. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments