Called A Driver Complaint In

G-town,

Thanks for the feedback and articles. I will check those out.

While I consider to explore my alternatives, stories like yours of someone who left the corporate grind later in life (we are about the same age) encourage me to consider trucking as a viable option.

I have taken to heart the difficult learning curve of your first year. Your experience of having almost quit and others who have posted on here who did quit in their first year give me pause.

At the same time, you have mentioned several times how much you enjoy what you do.

Thank you for your insight and role model. If I do decide to follow your path, I'm sure that I will lean on the experienced drivers to help me survive the first year. Turtle and Old School for securement for sure!

I truly believe that I could switch from Schneider ( no I’m not doing that), to Swift or Prime or CFI, etc. and barely notice the difference. Ok, I could switch to TMC and have a lot more amenities in my truck, but all the big carriers offer all the basic stuff and keep their drivers busy. Swift drivers are courteous as are almost all other drivers because bad behavior is not tolerated.

Actually, we work in a very good industry.

Rob D has read...

At the same time, you have mentioned several times how much you enjoy what you do.

Absolutely true...

Yeah, I got called a steering wheel holder on the CB today. All because I work for Schneider. I'm sure many of the guy's complaining about mega carriers are not any better drivers than our average.

Yeah, I got called a steering wheel holder on the CB today. All because I work for Schneider. I'm sure many of the guy's complaining about mega carriers are not any better drivers than our average.

Yeah.......Those SUPER TRUCKERS were issued a CDL along with a Birth Certificate the day they were born. Started driving their Daddys "Pete" when they were in 3rd grade. Fact of the matter many of those D bags are the most dangerous and unsafe drivers on the road. 90 in the hammer lane 2 feet behind the vehicle in front of them. 9th gear through the truck stops...... #@&k THEM!

Yeah, I got called a steering wheel holder on the CB today. All because I work for Schneider. I'm sure many of the guy's complaining about mega carriers are not any better drivers than our average.

Yeah.......Those SUPER TRUCKERS were issued a CDL along with a Birth Certificate the day they were born. Started driving their Daddys "Pete" when they were in 3rd grade. Fact of the matter many of those D bags are the most dangerous and unsafe drivers on the road. 90 in the hammer lane 2 feet behind the vehicle in front of them. 9th gear through the truck stops...... #@&k THEM!

You totally summed it up. Those drivers do not have the accident mitigation systems and cameras many of us have in our trucks.... if they did they wouldn't have a job. Going down hills and mountains I cannot believe how they drive? I'm riding the jake brake to keep my speed acceptable and they are blowing past me and many of them are hauling tankers... I just shake my head. I've only been driving 8 months so solo and I can't believe how many tanker accidents I've seen? On-ramps, on tight curves... they were surely taught about the surge and how fluids Act in turns... I was talking about that and CDL School. I'm sure I **** off guys behind me on exit and entrance ramps but I don't give a damn. I'm going to get the load there as safely as I can.

I only ever called on one driver, and it was recent. At Breezewood TA and a driver was doing a great blindside back, going slow, even GOALed, his flashers were on...and another truck came flying behind him from the opposite side, went right between the trailer and space. its bad enough if they come on the side you can see.

But come on people! give the guy a break. I was infuriated just watching.

Today marks my 6th year anniversary as a Swift driver. End of May will be my 6th year on the Walmart Dedicated account.

Congratulations, G-Town!

In St. Louis on the weekends, I have noticed many drivers absolutely flying on the highways: 70 mph plus. And switching back and forth between lanes like their at Indy. I realize that weekends are a good time to go through a major city because of less traffic, but how much time are you really saving by driving like that?

Also, since I have learned the 8 second rule for following distance, how can you maintain that in a city? I have tried on my drive home and the most I can get is 6 seconds before a car pulls in front of me and cuts it down to 4 seconds.

how much time are you really saving by driving like that?

You really aren't. Our trucks are governed at 70 and rarely do i run against it. I prefer to run about 65 and have that 5 mph cushion should I need it to pass someone. Most trucks on the road are governed around 65 so I potentially only catch them on hills. The days I have ran against it's usually due to a 650 mile run or inclement weather that affected me earlier in the day. I've noticed at the end of the day I find myself a lot more stressed, and more exhausted. One day me and another driver were coming back from Minneapolis, roughly 230 miles. I was doing 70 and he did 65. He pulled into our yard just as I set my breaks after getting backed into my spot. In theory It makes it seem like your going to get there much faster but you gotta remember slower vehicles are going to get in the left lane to pass someone going 1 or 2 mph slower than them and that'll eat up 5 minutes if driver in the right lane doesnt ease up on the pedal.

Also, since I have learned the 8 second rule for following distance, how can you maintain that in a city?

I don't deal with traffic too often as my current job is good at scheduling us early enough so we're out of the big cities by rush hour and headed back to the yard. When I was doing food service I dealt with rush hour headed into downtown des moines every day. What I did was drive 5 to 10 mph under the speed limit. Sure people will get mad and get into your "safe zone" but they'll be out of it very quickly. When I first started driving I was afraid of being an inconvenience to other motorists but I overcame that by knowing the speed limit doesnt mean you need to do that amount, and our career and livelihood depends on us operating our vehicle in a safe, professional manner.