Rookie Checklist - Phase One

So, I'm posting this for feedback from the gang. I still haven't gone to orientation, so this is way early in the process, but I'm trying to prepare myself mentally. (Which means I know this list is uninformed, but I'm just trying to get my head as right as I can before things get tough, because I know they will get tough.) Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thoughts on drivecraft.

- 1. Drive safely. 2. Drive legally. 3. Complete the assignment on time. In that order. Always.

- Do not hit anything. This is my fundamental position. Drive the truck safely. Maneuver the truck safely. This means, because I am new, it will take me longer to do things than it takes for other drivers.

- Get Out and Look. Understand the maneuver space, know where you are in it. Step into it and think about it before moving into it.

- Stop often. The Ohio CDL manual says we have to stop every 150 miles or three hours to check the cargo. Not sure if this something drivers actually do, but for me, that's probably a good idea. Drive a ways, pull over, take a break, check things. Take the trip in steps.

-Drive in segments. This is related to the above. Drive short legs, focusing on the route for each leg. Know that segment. Know the turns. Plan it as much as possible. This is also an exercise to get my head into the professional driving space. It's not just about going down the road. It's about moving a lot of somebody else's money.

-Never move the truck without a route plan. Even if it's just going across the yard, plan the route. The reason I've come up with this one is the stories of getting lost when least expected. Short trips across town, getting stuck in residential areas, that sort of thing.

- Go slow. This comes from my background. When I was a kid, my dad (who also drove for North American for about a year) was an insurance adjuster in Gallup New Mexico. I went with him on many truck wreck investigations on I-40. This was in the 70's. I saw the consequences of big trucks converting kinetic energy rapidly. It has stuck with me all my life. Invariably, when asked how fast they were going, a driver would say "About 55." More often than not, they were going faster. (According to skid patterns and other stuff my dad was real good at analyzing.) 55 gets the job done and gives me time to react to my environment as I hone my drivecraft. It also extends my endurance and stamina. To this day, ungoverned rigs blasting by at 75 make my very nervous.

-My rig, my problem. This is my truck. There are many like it, but this one is mine. I am responsible for everything my truck does or fails to do. I am responsible for keeping the logs, planning my routes, making sure my rig is in good working order, driving it safely and legally. I will pass inspections. I will. Whatever problems occur are mine to solve.

Thoughts on business

- All unloaded cargo is good.

- My dispatcher has a list from a load planner. Their challenge is to match that list to available drivers as efficiently and reliably as possible. My assignments will be based on my proven ability to help them solve that problem, nothing more, nothing less.

- Other drivers will get the more important hauls. They have proven that they can handle them.

- I will get the less important hauls, because I am the highest risk to my dispatcher. It is up to me to build their trust and confidence.

- Every load is an opportunity to build trust, confidence and value. Don't worry about miles. Worry about performance.

- For now, it is better for me to get hauls that are lower miles with more time between appointments. I am new. I am learning my drivecraft and my businesscraft. I am not as proficient or efficient as other drivers. I cannot perform at their level, because I haven't learned how yet. I need time to learn.

- Everybody has problems. My dispatcher, my mechanics, my customers. Like me, they are doing their best. I will do my best to help them solve their problems by doing my job well. I will be thankful when they help me solve mine.

- Good help is hard to find. Let somebody else whine, complain, get angry, create stress and get in the way. Hauling freight is a tough business and a challenge at all levels, from the CEO down. Getting freight to the receiver is hard enough already, don't make it worse. I will be part of the solution, not the problem.

So, there it is, for now. Like I said, this is more about attitude alignment than anything else. I'm trying to program myself for success, if you will. Becoming a truck driver is a major change for me and I don't want to just walk in, be surprised and fail. Tying to gear up to walk in, be surprised and deal with it.

Mike...the orientation you referred to, is it for school, or your first driving job? Please give a few details and I apologize for not knowing this if you already stated it in another post. Your answer will help me reply to your Christmas List more precisely.

Mike...the orientation you referred to, is it for school, or your first driving job? Please give a few details and I apologize for not knowing this if you already stated it in another post. Your answer will help me reply to your Christmas List more precisely.

School. It's a company orientation, then off to school the following week. (Company sponsored program for veterans.)

Okay...overall your lists are really good, but it's more like phases two and three. You are about to start phase one, schooling. As I go through your list other than items 1-3 (first 3 paragraphs), I wouldn't waste energy worrying about any of them. Granted your enthusiasm and positive attitude is evident, so if anything maintain that level of "mojo" in class and while you are practicing things like pre-trip, logging your hours, shifting, backing and road skills.

I think I sent you the TT starter kit on a previous thread, I'd focus on those three links especially the High Road Training Program. If you are feeling rather ambitious you can also begin to review the following to get yourself in the right frame of mind for school:

• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
• Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
• Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

and

Learn The Logbook Rules (HOS)

I don't mean to be evasive, I just strongly believe it's best to take things one step at a time, not trying to focus on too much that will do nothing more than clutter your mind. There is one overriding theme in the first half of your list that should be commented on; SAFETY. Safety is something you need to be aware of and think about each and every time you are around the trucks. You do not know any of the students you are mingling with,...be aware of what is going on at all times; eyes and ears. Prepare to learn...that's your job for the three weeks after orientation.

Good luck!

Thanks G-Town. I actually need my CPL before orientation, so the study guides are much appreciated.

Thanks G-Town. I actually need my CPL before orientation, so the study guides are much appreciated.

That's exactly what our High Road Training Program will do - prepare you for the permit test, your endorsements tests, and then beyond that to more complex things like The Logbook Rules and Cargo Loading, weight distribution, fuel mileage calculations, etc.

Focus on the permit and endorsements first. You might have to wait to get your Hazmat , depending on the state you live in, because some don't allow a Hazmat endorsement on a permit. But get your permit and all of the endorsements you can right away. Get it all out of the way and then you don't have to worry about it anymore. You can then focus on the more advanced topics to prepare for life on the road.