New To The Site- Introduction

Hello all, my name is Robert G. and I recently moved to Jackson Mississippi from Jackson Wyoming. Sounds like I did not go far, but I did... I am a veteran driver of 25+ years in HazMat , Tanker, Doubles/Triples. My work experience has been in the crude oil transport business until the bottom dropped out and it became competitive for what remains to be moved. Having moved from Wyoming to Mississippi, I have just signed on with Scheider National as a bulk tanker driver on a dedicated run , guaranteed home weekends, and 47 cents per mile. Not even close to what I was pulling in on crude oil, but this will be fine for the times they are a changin and I am happy to have a decent job. I never attended truck driving school, somehow I did this from square 1 and took advantages of opportunities as they came up as they often do. From what I see here on this forum are new drivers complaining somewhat about their duties... I would advise these young drivers to 1st- turn your CB radio off. 2nd- advance their careers and stop complaining. If you do nothing about your situation, then you deserve to wallow in it. 3rd- Get your HazMat, Tanker and Doubles/Trip endorsements and put them to use. You certainly will never hear me complain about something which I have total control over....

I look forward to reading over the posts and having input and opinions on this forum. It looks well put together and easy to use. Stay safe out there. Robert G.

Welcome to TT, Robert.

Welcome Robert G. :D not sure what complaining you speak of but, sometimes it's nice to feel like you can vent to someone who will understand or your frustrations lead to unanswered questions. occasionally blow off some steam. I get where you are coming from at least. I personally like to get my advice from the ol' vets, so I look forward to seeing your future posts.

Welcome Robert G. This was in your first post:

From what I see here on this forum are new drivers complaining somewhat about their dutie

Is that so...? Yes there is a little of that here and there but I think for the most part the whining is quickly brought under control.

Our primary focus is helping prospective students find research schools, pass the permit exams and help them work through the myriad of issues that occur during the first year. With your extensive experience I am certain you can significantly contribute a positive influence and advisory expertise in the forum.

One of the core TT informational pieces is this:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

Again welcome aboard and I look forward to reading your contributions.

I would advise these young drivers to 1st- turn your CB radio off. 2nd- advance their careers and stop complaining. If you do nothing about your situation, then you deserve to wallow in it. 3rd- Get your HazMat , Tanker and Doubles/Trip endorsements and put them to use.

I have a problem with your "advice" 1. All drivers should have a cb and use it especially in winter. Turning it off in a truck stop or a major city fine but when your out on the highway it should be on even at a low level you can hear people talking about stuff going on ahead of you. 2. I have no idea what you mean about advancing your career. Trucking is trucking no matter where you go or what company you work for. Its all based on your individual performance. If your on time and safe and good at managing your clock then you'll stand out and get all the miles you want. 3. I agree getting the endorsements is a good idea but new drivers don't want to start out driving tanks. Heck I've been out here over a year now and I still don't want to drive tanks. I have the endorsment but driving them is a whole different game. I have my hazmat as well but I don't like using it because you aren't allowed to smoke in your truck on a hazmat load. And doubles , triples is another one that needs some serious thought before a new driver takes on that challenge. Its not that tanks and doubles can't be done by new drivers, we have drivers here that have started like that, but simply that it's a lot harder than dragging a van around.

JakeBrake responding to Robert's introduction:

I would advise these young drivers to 1st- turn your CB radio off. 2nd- advance their careers and stop complaining. If you do nothing about your situation, then you deserve to wallow in it. 3rd- Get your HazMat , Tanker and Doubles/Trip endorsements and put them to use.

I have a problem with your "advice" 1. All drivers should have a cb and use it especially in winter. Turning it off in a truck stop or a major city fine but when your out on the highway it should be on even at a low level you can hear people talking about stuff going on ahead of you. 2. I have no idea what you mean about advancing your career. Trucking is trucking no matter where you go or what company you work for. Its all based on your individual performance. If your on time and safe and good at managing your clock then you'll stand out and get all the miles you want. 3. I agree getting the endorsements is a good idea but new drivers don't want to start out driving tanks. Heck I've been out here over a year now and I still don't want to drive tanks. I have the endorsment but driving them is a whole different game. I have my hazmat as well but I don't like using it because you aren't allowed to smoke in your truck on a hazmat load. And doubles , triples is another one that needs some serious thought before a new driver takes on that challenge. Its not that tanks and doubles can't be done by new drivers, we have drivers here that have started like that, but simply that it's a lot harder than dragging a van around.

I read this last night and saw some of Robert's advice being called out by JakeBrake. I was too tired to cyber-joust with anyone so I offered a benign "welcome" message and suggested he was mistakin' in his "complaint" about "complaining" (how ironic).

That said, totally agree with everything you wrote here Jake, totally. Especially the CB point.

If you leave the CB off, it becomes a boat anchor and not a tool to potentially avoid delays and also avoid an accident. Case in point: for anyone piloting a semi on I-78, there are numerous bridges that frame a slight right hand bend in the road, especially westbound beyond PA-183 exit. True story; I was barreling through my usual return route to the DC when over the CB came a message of a disabled vehicle partially blocking part of the right lane going westbound. Sure enough a half mile later there it was, about 2 feet onto the highway, no more than 200 feet beyond an overpass that reduced the site line. No warning, no 4-ways, no emergency vehicles (yet). I had plenty of time to move over because the message called out the mile marker. Now if this had occurred during a weather event, the kind of thing where the fog freezes in the winter limiting visibility and traction, it could have been a very serious situation without the benefit of advance warning.

Advising anyone rookie or otherwise to shut the CB off while on the highway, especially during a weather event, or in congestion is hasty and not helpful one bit. Not sure if Robert was trying to suggest the CB can be a distraction for a new driver, or not. If so, that I agree with. Try to use common sense when talking on the CB and definitely turn it off when in a truck stop unless you enjoy hearing a critique of your backing skills, or lack there-of.