Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Learned a lesson.....the hard way.
I had something similar happen to me a couple weeks ago. Had someone helping me out some things in the cab, and when he closed the door, it hit the lock button.
Had to revisit my macguyver days. I opened the door with a metal knife and a plastic spoon. Engine was running the whole time too. This coming from a guy who in the army broke into my barracks room with a broom handle and toenail clippers.
Now I remember why I always leave the window open just a little when I step out. Learned that as a mechanic because it happened alot!
Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Everyone should get a kick out of this!
My great grandfather drove a truck like that. I forgot about those! I'd like to drive one just for the experience, but I'm fairly happy with my 13 speed.
Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Information on railroad crossings
The ones that annoy me the most are the ones I stop at, then realize they paved over the tracks because they no longer use them. But they leave the signs for them up!!! So I have to stop traffic deep in rural Georgia, 4 ways on, to check for a train that will never come because they never pulled the signs. The whole time, old ladies are passing me, giving me the finger lol
Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Has anyone ever picked up the wrong load ?
LMAO yeah I remember thinking that too. Then it dawned on me. Ah, crap.
Fortunately I didn't go more than about a mile and a half. Loading site is very close to the terminal.
Now if it was like 200 miles...I probably wouldn't have posted that :p
Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Alley docking and downshifting were the hardest to learn. This is where effort, concentration and clarity pay off big time. It's nothing you CANT learn. Some people WONT learn them though because they are allowing something (fear, etc) to control THEM. Now some people need more help than others, I understand that, but its a very attainable goal.
If you want to do it, then go do it! That whole 'you have nothing to fear but fear itself' is BS. Fear of driving a big truck? Fear is nothing you couldn't man up and face head on. Do what you gotta do and just get it done! Most youll need is to not give into fear of failure and a positive attitude!
Same kind of fear you face when you go off to basic in the military. Without the yelling and BS that goes with that.
Never be afraid of 'what's most difficult' or whatever. You control it and make it work FOR you, or let your emotions control you and you effectively screw yourself. Take control. It's this simple: if you want it, do it!
I haven't been in this business for long. I actually came from the military, combat arms. I can tell you, while that didn't directly help me much in life, the lessons I learned have helped a ton. In this business, every day is different and unpredictable. Fear of the unknown has no place in this job in my eyes. Just do the job, do it smart and do it right...everything else will work out with ease after that.
After 4 combat tours, I can tell ya, this is a great job. I smile every day I leave the yard and enjoy chatting on the cb with whoever is out there. Nobody peering over my shoulders or micromanaging me. Nobody is shooting at me, etc...I've been thinking as I've been headed home from Iowa, how good of a fit this job seems to be. Why didn't I do this earlier?
Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Ouch! I just got put down hard
You have wise old men, and grumpy old men. You'd be wise to ignore the grumpy ones and learn what wisdom you can from the wise ones. Applies everywhere in life, not just trucking.
Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Has anyone ever picked up the wrong load ?
I left the yard once to load, arrived at the loading facility, then realized I didn't have the trailer at all...I was in such a hurry to get rolling that I left the damn trailer. Doh!
Lesson learned: its never worth it to go THAT fast.
Posted: 8 years, 8 months ago
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Can you have a small hatchet or small machete in truck?
But a machete? What else could you use it for?
When your truck breaks down in the jungles of Nicaragua and you have to go traipsing thorough miles of thick undergrowth to the nearest Love's for parts, you'll be glad you brought that machete along.
As much as I like my job, I'd quit before I'd allow that one lol Roofing hammer is also a good idea for FB. Some companies allow weapons. Problem is most shippers and receivers do not. If DOT finds a firearm, they know you were most likely heading to or from a shipper or receiver that prohibits them, and will grill you over it. Can they do anything to you if you are caught with it off their property? I don't know. But until I do, I'm not looking to find out. Then there's the whole 'ammo and magazines' deal if you do not have a CWP.
Posted: 8 years, 8 months ago
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Can you have a small hatchet or small machete in truck?
Alot of what they can give you a hard time about is all about interpretation. If they see something you have as a weapon, they can and more than likely will treat it as such. Something like a tire thumper, on the other hand, is far less likely to attract that kind of attention. I carry the rescue axe...god forbid I ever need it...in case I come across or am involved in an accident where I need a tool to expedite my escape or someone else's from a vehicle. The tire thumper is self explanatory.
My axe has a smaller blade, stays in a sheath, and has cutouts in the blade to shut off gas lines and turn on or off fire hydrants, much like the personal ones some firemen carry. That way there is no confusion as to its intended purpose.
Posted: 8 years, 7 months ago
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Truck Driver Training Stabbing
I can see it now. Now someone is going to want to ban knives.