Comments By Gary A.

I saw a post on CDL Life's Facebook page about drivers being ticketed for idling. EXCEPT if you have a pet in the vehicle. So, HOW are drivers supposed to keep cool/warm without idling while waiting to load/unload/etc? There were a TON of comments such as:

"How many drivers have died because they where told "No Idle of trucks!" I know of 5. They where on there 10hr and went to sleep, never woke up! Coroner said they died from over heating."

"As for the companies that reprimand their drivers for idling...You are not to drive fatigued. But how are you to sleep when it is so hot and humid you can't breathe??? I for one, am not sleeping with my windows down and inviting trouble!"

"I have asthma and I don't have an APU. If it's humid, hot and have bugs all over, forget what the date law says. I'm idling...aaaaaaahhhhh.....A/C"

"I am laughing at the ppl whom say to just roll down the windows...seriously? Not only is that unsafe (would you leave your house windows open?) but, it definitely doesn't keep you cool enough and come on, people, it's not possible to get a hotel room all the time...."

Thoughts?-I personally will walk to a hotel somewhere if it's THAT hot..I'm lucky enough to be able to afford a hotel as needed, every DAY if I have to, so it's no issue for me..I just wanted to hear your thoughts guys....

Now that I am about to start a new career in trucking Tuesday, I have found my whole perspective as a driver and future trucker has changed. I drove from Atlanta to Gastonia, N.C. to visit my Aunt and was amazed how RUDE 4 wheelers are to truckers. I saw them cut in front, follow WAYYY too close, switch lanes with NO BLINKER at all, speed around them like they were an "annoyance"...I followed a Swift driver (at a respectable distance) for quite a while just to see how he managed.... I-85 in Greenville S.C. on a Friday afternoon is nuts, I watched people run up on him, cut RIGHT in front of him with NO blinker whatsoever, whomp on the brakes RIGHT in front of him...None of which affected this driver whatsoever. He maintained his speed, lane control, obeyed all traffic restrictions, used his signals perfectly, signalling way before he made lane changes, kept up with traffic flow, and was completely professional...Now I am the first to admit, I have done the SAME rude things in the past, but this trip has taught me that truck drivers have to be amazingly patient, safety minded at ALL times, and disciplined in all aspects of driving. SO beside learning how to shift, back, turn, pre-trip, etc..I'm gonna have to learn to deal with morons...y'all pray for me!!

Yep, me too. 20 years in I.T. and suddenly I'm unemployable. Been trying to find a job for 20 months now.. I think it IS ageism..I'd go to job fairs here in Atlanta and see NO ONE (well, very few) under the age of 40. HUNDREDS of people my age or older. LUCKILY I was able to get a bit of a pension from my last job and that helps. Still, at the ripe old age of 56 years old, starting OVER in a new career is a bit intimidating and unsettling for sure, although I feel like trucking is IDEAL for me at this time of my life. Since I'm single, with no kids or NEED to be home. I did local driving for quite a few years here in Atlanta, and it was a BLAST! although I only made like $6.00/hr. Still, the FREEDOM of NO BOSS walking around, or meetings, or project updates, etc...Sounds good to me!!!

Anyway, I can TRY trucking, school starts Tuesday... see how it fits..No one's holding a gun to my head, if for some reason trucking doesn't work out, I'll get a job doing something somewhere-I met a guy at my supermarket who was about my age, he was a bagger, and he was happy to do it...I was a security officer for a while, LOTS of hours available if you want to work them (I used to work 38 hours in 3 days)...Too old to rock n' roll. too young to die....

I have come to realize that in my driving adventures, I have never driven solo. I worked for a home entertainment company delivering TVs, etc for 8+ years, and always had a partner. I drove all over the Midwest with a team, 7 days a week for a while as well. SO in this aspect of my upcoming career, I am looking FORWARD to training with a trainer for as long as possible. I am not sure how I am going to handle being alone, since it's going to be new territory. I've always had someone to talk to, share driving/navigating, and keep me company. I'm sure it's just something I'll need to get used to. I would consider teams, but don't want to work around someone else's home time. How do y'all manage the many long hours alone? CB?? Phone? I know I'll miss the time I'll have with my trainer, I get along well with everyone and like to have fun, laugh and goof around, be hard to do that alone. Gonna be different for sure....

Oh no, I had that checked recently. This is just a habit I got into when I was working out everyday. Guess I just need to get out of that habit or get one of these: http://www.oneonthego.com/Bags.php

This is kind of a weird question, but I haven't seen it addressed..I tend to drink A LOT (8 glasses of water a day) and find I have to go at least once an hour. Now there is NO WAY I can stop every hour, SO I'm thinking about ways to take care of that issue, and the only thing I can come up with is like a soda bottle or something, (or stop drinking so much) but that's a bit dangerous to do while driving, unzipping, etc.....What do you guys do????

I don't know why, but over the past couple of weeks, I've taken a liking to tankers. Maybe it's all the valves and tubes, etc plus the interaction of loading and unloading. ANYWAY, a few questions:

1). Do tanker drivers drive coast-to-coast? Seems like most tankers I see are local guys.

2). Do tanker drivers have to be hazmat certified? (I will be anyway, just curious).

3). I seem to see VERY few accidents involving tankers, most every accident (and there's at LEAST one a week here in Atlanta) involve flatbeds, reefers and box trailers. Are they easier to drive? Or are tanker drivers required to have more experience??

4). Do tankers ever need to be backed in? I can't imagine there would be a need to back a tanker (other than truck stops).

Like I say, I just think they're COOL..Saw a couple of guys operating the valves, hoses, etc and that sort of appeals to me, to be "involved and active" at my stops. Know what I mean??

Sorry..maybe this is easier to read..

I don't know why, but over the past couple of weeks, I've taken a liking to tankers. Maybe it's all the valves and tubes, etc plus the interaction of loading and unloading. ANYWAY, a few questions:

1). Do tanker drivers drive coast-to-coast? Seems like most tankers I see are local guys. 2). Do tanker drivers have to be hazmat certified? (I will be anyway, just curious). 3). I seem to see VERY few accidents involving tankers, most every accident (and there's at LEAST one a week here in Atlanta) involve flatbeds, reefers and box trailers. Are they easier to drive? Or are tanker drivers required to have more experience?? 4). Do tankers ever need to be backed in? I can't imagine there would be a need to back a tanker (other than truck stops).

Like I say, I just think they're COOL..Saw a couple of guys operating the valves, hoses, etc and that sort of appeals to me, to be "involved and active" at my stops. Know what I mean??

Just wondering how many of you guys play an instrument of some sort. I've been playing guitar for 40 years now, and plan on taking my gear with me-So if you're parked at a truck stop and hear a lot of racket, it's me! (I'll have headphones for the electric anyway)...

Thank you sir! Excellent article!