Comments By EricGuvNC

I'm just getting into trucking and according to this article I better play it smart and prepare for the worst. I may only have a decade before the robots replace us.

http://m.fleetowner.com/technology/report-driverless-trucks-will-eliminate-millions-jobs#

GREETINGS Adam S.,

No need to be concerned about robots replacing you. Trucking will most likely be "conquered" LAST.

Self driving cars are still driving into solid objects as well other self driving cars, so No Worries Mate! CHEERS!!

GREETINGS SCroller,

WELCOME ABOARD!!

2 YEARS since getting your CDL?

What are you awaiting?

Jump In, The Water's Fine!!

I suggest Schneider yet never drove for them, however one RARELY reads about Accidents, Crashes, Wrecks in Schneider equipment.

All Mega Carriers have been and will be around for a long time.

-->MY opinion<-- Reefer is good if you prefer a lawnmower behind the sleeper and stringent Rules/Requirements at Shipper/Receivers. Seems many Students travel that route.

I prefer Dry Van, yet every option has Good and Bad bits, so No Worries Mate. There's also Flatbed (Skateboards), Tanker, RGN/Bulk, Heavy Haul, Containers, Car Haulers (Parking Lots), so choices vary.

Do a THOROUGH SEARCH of all Companies of interest and go to Truck Stops and ask Drivers of Companies their opinions and be prepared for some wild responses. Just remember: At EVERY COMPANY there are Drivers that have been up to and beyond 10-20 years, so something's working for them.

GOOD LUCK Mate. "Ain't No Feelin' Like 40 Ton Wheelin'!! KEEP US UPDATED! CHEERS!!

GREETINGS ALL,

When I was in Truck Driver Training School in Goodlettsville, TN., in late 1998, I LEARNED a few things of which I had zero ideas about and they helped immensely in going forward as well Backing. Alley docking, 45 & 90 degrees, is useful in some locations yet I've rarely used it yet occasionally give those movements a go when there's Plenty Of Room.

Shifting (manual) seems to be going the way of the Dodo bird (extinct), which is sad yet that's the way it rolls, so No Worries Mate.

USE ALL AVAILABLE ROOM FOR SET UP!!

Backing is the biggest challenge for everyone as well the biggest chance for accidents.

There is absolutely NO REASON TO RUSH when Backing as such inevitably causes problems. People blowing horns and other noises only slow me down and I then do multiple G.O.A.L.'s whether or not needed. Trucking of today, other drivers seem not to want to WAIT till you're done and will pass whether or not you are done, so just relax and continue with your movement as you are able. There ARE Drivers, like myself, that will BLOCK travel from my side to ALLOW Drivers their Backing movements and many times both directions are BLOCKED, like in the good ole days. NO ONE can "back in their sleep" although some Drivers at many locations appear to BE asleep (because of hitting vehicles (cars, trucks), poles (Light, other), buildings (Guard posts, outhouses, etc.) trash bins (cans, dumpsters, lot lizards, etc,).

Backing in Training Schools gives Students ideas about how it is performed and like has already been stated, there are no "measuring sticks" used in the Real World nor are there "penalties" for as many NEEDED forward movements to be correct in Backing performance. Schools, for no known reason, have their goofy limits in Combo movements. I generally do at least 3 pull ups on every Backing Movement, more when/where REQUIRED. Every Location is different and You Are In Control! (Take a few DEEP BREATHS to) RELAX, (Matters NOT where you are so) TAKE YOUR TIME, (Do Not Rush so) GET OUT AND LOOK!

MANY locations will be challenging and I'm still challenged Daily because when WE think we have nothing to LEARN, it's time to park the Truck! For Me, EVERY BACKING MOVEMENT IS BACKING 101, regardless of how many times I've been to a specific location. --I currently run 10 wheel Day Cabs with 53' Trailers and it's BACKING 101.--

YOU Will Do WELL!! Breathe, Relax, Take Your Time!!

CHEERS!!

Didn't mean to cause a ruckus.

In my limited experience it's worked out easier to have them forward when in tight conditions.

Again, my experience/feel for the situation. With the shorter wheel base the back of the trailer swung faster and with less steering input, which at the last time was critical since I had zero room up front to swing the nose.

With the tandems back I couldn't get the trailer pivot started in time to make the push into the hole.

It depends a lot upon the angle you're coming in at. If you have the room to bring the trailer around and get it lined up pretty straight with the hole before you have to enter that narrow opening it doesn't matter where your tandems are. If you're coming in at a shallow angle, say a 45 degree angle, having your tandems slid forward is going to create a lot of swing on the back of that trailer and it's going to make it much more difficult to get it backed in there. It would be easier to have your tandems slid back when approaching from a shallow angle.

That pretty much was the situation. 45 if not less, almost zero room for head swing.

Tandems forward is probably a bane for most of us rookies since we tend to overseer / overcorrect. But once you slow down and relax, it will work.

The back I was doing I had tried 3 different times with slightly different setups. With the tandems back I didn't have enough run out room to get them to start pivoting.

The guys that finally assisted me on my final, after I slid them forward all agreed and said that in that instance it worked best.

GREETINGS MC1371,

I've been running these many Highways, Byways, Back Roads, Side Roads, Goat Roads, Snake Trails, some Alley Ways, a few Dirt Roads from Maine to Florida and across into California (I-8, I-10, I-40) from San Diego (on I-5) through Shaky Town (L.A.) to Sacramento (as well trips along the I-40 extension (RT. 58) from Barstool (Barstow) to Bakersfield and beyond. So MANY wonderful companies and truck stops visited and backed into forgotten amounts of slots, docks, a few 2 lane roads (because of low overpasses) and EVERY TIME I BACK UP IT IS BACKING 101!!

MANY places offered small tight access to docks where I made a walking observation to mentally "set up".

The Northeast offers too many "backup training" locations not just the Pickle Parks (Rest Areas). What does one do other than Just Do It?

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, there are some options available: One may ask a Switcher Driver to place Trailer in dock. One may ask another Driver to place in dock and I've done such a few times for FREE because it's Old School Rules: Helping A Fellow Driver. As has been mentioned, if possible, slide Tandems FORWARD and leave Fifth Wheel ALONE as it usually only helps to eliminate the Bat Wings (Fairings). ALWAYS Turn the C.B. OFF unless you prefer being tormented!! ALWAYS roll Slow and Easy and the horns you hear are usually impatient drivers (yet could be from getting too close to other trucks), so stop as many times as needed (or not needed) to G.O.A.L. There's no prize for fast other than possibly a wrecker and possible Points on Your Sacred License. EVERY BACKING SITUATION IS DIFFERENT even at the same locations.

Women tend to be more secure than men in their driving capabilities, probably from the lack of Testosterone as well the I don't need any help cause I know what I'm doing mentality. You'll hear some (aged) Veterans as well some Newbies saying such, so just look at their equipment for assurance.

I've been locally driving a switcher truck as well other road trucks lately and it'll continue to be: BACKING 101!!

MY Qualifications since late 1998: I learned to drive trucks in a C.O.E. (Cab Over Engine) with a 10-speed Manual AFTER Driver Training School. I've driven mainly Sleeper Condos: Peterbilt 379 Long Nose reverse 9 or standard 10 speed manual, Kenworth t2000 back to W800 with either a 13 speed manual, 10-speed Manual reverse or 9 speed, Ford Sterling 10 speed Manual, International Pro Star ( called Cornbinder from International Harvester) 10 speed Manual, a LOT of Freight Liners with either 10 speed manual or Super 10 or autoshift, Mack 10 speed triple shaft transmission. A few Ford and other make Cement Trucks as well Dump (Bucket) Trucks. I drive ALL EQUIPMENT like I OWN IT because when I'm in it, IT'S MINE.

ALL EQUIPMENT OPERATION REQUIRES: Common Sense, - -Sadly it's not as Common as it used to be but You will Prove this Wrong. PATIENCE, - -PLEASE let the Clutch Brake stop the Clutch before slipping into Gear- -Grinding Gears just clearly alerts others you don't care about Equipment, and PLEASE ARRIVE ALIVE! Determination,- - You WILL SUCCEED!! Perseverance,- -See Determination. Humility.- -Without which nothing can be accomplished. Say Thank You for any or no reason

The Real World SCHOOL demands LEARNING SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY!

Thanks B-2-U! CHEERS!!

GREETINGS ALL,

I showed a copy of a after delivery bill ONCE to a PA. State Trooper in 2000 early morning at a temporary Weigh Station on S.B. I-79 (N. of I-70), after which, at the time, put me and the wife and the sleeper Straight truck Out Of Service for 8 hour break (old Rules) and the Officer stayed on site until time was up yet there was a Truck Stop about a half mile away but we were not allowed to move other than walking. That was my introduction to handling (hiding- ->NOT recommended) Paperwork as well using 2 Log Books (- -> Definitely NOT recommended) . There were a few times from 2013 to 2017 where I needed show proof of what I was Hauling but I was never asked about Fuel Receipts or other purchase receipts.

Other stories for other articles. CHEERS!!

GREETINGS ALL,

HUMOR Folks, Just HUMOR.

My handle of Blakowt is for something I quit doing over 25 years back when I quit running with the Scotsman, Al C. O'hol. - - - - A couple of years ago I figured the best route to becoming/being a Owner Operator/Driver is thus:

1. Sell everything I own plus (mostly) borrow from friends and Family to Buy a Truck spec'd with 3406 CAT, 13 speed, 3.36 drive gears, "super" sleeper, oversize 5th wheel, 22.5 tires, ALL Alcoa Aluminum Rims with custom made non plastic "spikes" for lug nut covers. 2. Get a Lobotomy for a "carefree" attitude. 3. Hire a friend to appear at random locations Nationwide and pummel me while asking "WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE A OWNER OPERATOR"? 4. Recover and move forward.

CHEERS!!

GREETINGS ChrisEMT,

Whatever You decide is the BEST route to follow, is the Route You follow.

CHEERS!!

GREETINGS Yasir,

As a point of reference, I had to wait 7 years from my last D.W.I. conviction (in N.C. on a Class C) in 1991 to apply for a C.D.L.-A permit in 1998, so a few months for you will be no problem. Keep On Keeping On!! CHEERS!!

GREETINGS Derrick,

YOU can ask for or request another Trainer. It's been done many times at ALL Carriers. Nobody gets along with everyone. My wife went through 2 trainers while she was a Newbie in late 1999 - early 2000 and stepped out of the truck in Buffalo, NY with the first "trainer" at that company. Second Trainer was far superior yet after time with him, the company decided she wasn't right for them, so she was quickly taken by a better company.

Driver Training, as it has been mentioned, should be a set time in the seat as well a set amount of miles, but sadly at some mega-carriers, it's "hurry up and learn so you can become a trainer". Like, for example SWIFT (now SWIFT-KNIGHT) advertises: "After 3 months driving experience, you can become a Trainer". That's scary enough to us old timers but what does one do, quit, not likely.

I'm now part of the "old school league" in that I went to a Driver Training School in late 1998, then off with a Owner Op. A learning experience just before Burlington Motor Carriers folded or was bought.

WE didn't have automatics in the late 90's or in the early 2000's.

It wasn't long till I got on with Bulldog Hiway Express in No. Charleston, SC. Flatbeds (known in our business as Skateboards). That was the start to the "jumping around" phase. Had a Trainer, he was cool. Made some long distance runs and before the company required 2 weeks was up, we were figuratively fighting over who was driving when. Stayed there almost 4 months. Was tired of "must tarp EVERY load". It got better. I learned to prefer the smaller companies (4-50 trucks) as they were easier and I wasn't "a number".

Recently quit a O.T.R./Dedicated gig of over 5.7 years because of differences in opinions of equipment between the Owner and I. Released much stress and I'm working for a Driver Temp. Service running Local, so it's all good.

What I'm saying is that regardless of what happens at your FIRST DRIVER EMPLOYMENT GIG, such activity does not indicate how your potential will develop. You may want to stay at PRIME, you may not: The choice is YOURS.

Scraping Trailer tires on curbs is not big deal. It's when drivers scrape their trailer tires over short Walls, R.R. Tracks, Curbs, other vehicles, along buildings, etc., that present problems and such things happen daily during training as well after training.

The first YEAR is the decision time to either go further down the road or opt out. Either way you're still respected.

Thank You for Your Time in reading this small post. AIN'T NO FEELIN' LIKE 40 TON WHEELIN'!! CHEERS!!

Https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/07/10/morgan-southern-fires-trucker-who-spoke-20-hour-workdays/103498144/

[quote]What happened to Flores is just the latest episode in a decade-long struggle that has seen hundreds of port truckers in California turned into modern-day indentured servants.

As the USA TODAY Network reported last month, many of these drivers say they were forced by their bosses to sign lease-to-own truck contracts, putting them in debt to their own employers. The trucks are so expensive – up to several thousand dollars a month for payments and maintenance – that some drivers say they have no choice but to work 15 to 20 hours a day.[/quote] [quote]Flores said his managers at Morgan Southern knew about his hours, but for years the trucking company looked the other way.[/quote]

It is terrible that such potential LIFE eliminating (not just Drivers) "jobs" are still being pushed upon people AND being treating PEOPLE as less than Human. I've driven 20+ hour days O.T.R. yet not in a row and very inconsistent until I was written up at the North Bound I-55 Coop (Scale House, Weigh Station--story for a different post) in Tennessee.

I've NEVER been "prodded, forced, bullied" to buy a truck as I would have walked away, but that's MY perspective. I've been asked a few times at a few Companies IF I was interested in becoming a Owner Op.(through that Lease To Own option) to which I respectfully declined.

It's actually surprising that such neanderthal companies are still in such operations considering all the stringent NEW RULES/REQUIREMENTS In Truck Driving as well the upcoming MANDATE of E-LOGS.

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE!!