What Kind Of Truck Driver Are You?

At the end of the day, having been a crash test dummy (in my own special way) was the best training I got for this job (a big slap on the back, self-inflicted). They have simulators for this nowdays.

At the end of the day, having been a crash test dummy (in my own special way) was the best training I got for this job (a big slap on the back, self-inflicted). They have simulators for this nowdays.

Steven, do you just enjoy being cryptic in your posts, or is there some other reason why I don't understand what you're talking about half the time?

I'm not trying to sound like a smart-alec, I genuinely enjoy being helpful to people here in this forum, but you keep me puzzled most of the time.

When I've tried to offer you help you seemed to have taken offense to it, but heck, the way you post comments on here leaves me completely clueless about your struggle, or how to offer something constructive to you.

I'd sincerely like to help you get a job in the industry, just as I've helped so many others, both here in this forum, and out here in the real world.

Thanks, and no offense taken (I had a bit too much caffeine today—don't usually drink the dew). The comment there was based on my previous two (but the point was that I am a safety conscious truck driver, based on past experience as much as recent training). I was kind of relating informally to some discussions here and there, rather than asking for help to the extent that I may have seemed cryptic, and was being somewhat dialectical as far as my reasoning went on the job scene. I am taking it one prospect at a time, and appreciate your consultations here too.

Fair enough - I'll keep trying to follow you.

Okay, and I will try to stay out of the no zone.

I've been working at being a good driver. I try to be courteous and whenever someone does something stupid, I remind myself that I am also out there doing the stupid stuff. I'm new. I screw up frequently. Though thankfully I learn from them.

I wave when I can (though sometimes I need both hands on that wheel, those bumpy roads aren't a joke) and I try to have patience with people going slower than I am. They might be more nervous than I am. They might not feel in control of their truck yet.

I smile at all the truck drivers and try to make them smile back. Whether they like it or not. I don't know how many grumpy faces I have seen turn into a smile whenever I do something goofy. I can't pull my horn because the Volvo's don't have the string. I didn't know where my horn was for almost a whole week after getting into the truck. I didn't find it until I put my head down in frustration over standstill traffic. Scared myself and a few other cars around me.

I'm doing my best to follow the examples put here on this site for what a good driver should be.

I've been working at being a good driver. I try to be courteous and whenever someone does something stupid, I remind myself that I am also out there doing the stupid stuff. I'm new. I screw up frequently. Though thankfully I learn from them.

I wave when I can (though sometimes I need both hands on that wheel, those bumpy roads aren't a joke) and I try to have patience with people going slower than I am. They might be more nervous than I am. They might not feel in control of their truck yet.

I smile at all the truck drivers and try to make them smile back. Whether they like it or not. I don't know how many grumpy faces I have seen turn into a smile whenever I do something goofy. I can't pull my horn because the Volvo's don't have the string. I didn't know where my horn was for almost a whole week after getting into the truck. I didn't find it until I put my head down in frustration over standstill traffic. Scared myself and a few other cars around me.

I'm doing my best to follow the examples put here on this site for what a good driver should be.

And your post just proved how much of a professional driver you are. Thank you.

Don't feel bad about the horn. It took me a month to figure out how to get my bunkbed down.

I love your humble humility. That is a sign of great wisdom.

"Seriously, what kind of truck driver are you? What does it mean to you to be in the truck that you are in? Why do you want to be a truck driver? "

I'm a bit of an odd bird also, I guess. I pick up trash, even the disgusting stuff. I try to be courteous in all things, at the truck stop and on the road, even when others aren't. I could comment about the negative CB comments I've received for driving the speed limit when others aren't, or getting razzed because I didn't one shot back into a parking spot at a truck stop.

But those people that do that really aren't worth commenting to or about anyone, they won't change.

My goal is to be safe, get my load delivered on time, make some money and be someone my wife, kids and friends can be proud of.

A series of events out of my control landed in me in truck driving after over 35 years in another profession. But I'm doing the best I can, trying to keep it together for my wife and I, and not be a burden on society.

Some mornings are tough as I get up, wishing I was home with my wife, but I tough it out and get on with truckin'.

So...I'm probably an 'odd bird' in more ways than one, but that's the kind of trucker I am.

Well, if its humility you want.... I started driving OTR in a 93 Petercar, with a Detroit 60, and a 15 speed V pattern tranny. I learned to up shift easily, with 15th against the dash. We had that truck for a year...and I probably missed my downshift pulling into the lot to trade it in...I never could remember that downshift pattern. Our last truck was an 18 speed....that was my favorite....

. I didn't know where my horn was for almost a whole week after getting into the truck.

How did you complete your pretrip?

All in fun