Truck Hate

It is no wonder 4 wheelers hate trucks, I'm in my personal car headed out of town on a trip today. Some Schinder truck is tailgating doing like 20 mph over the speedlight then switching lanes back and forth in a tight construction zone on 294. While he gets within a few feet of the car in front of him then quickly with not signal changes lanes next to us to pass a few cars only to cut back cutting off one of the cars he passed.

Yep. Unfortunately, the car drivers will remember that guy's driving every time they see a big truck from here on out.

One bad example....

They used to allow trucks to park and the closed Sears store by my house, then drivers started throwing trash everywhere and being disrespectful to the property so now they do not allow it anymore.

I have never seen an industry who complains so much about lack of respect then continues to shoot themselves in the foot.

I can only think of one particularly bad experience like that in the past 5-10 years (but no construction zone) and I called the driver's safety department and they thanked me. It has me wondering how often insurance carriers might push for company phone numbers posted on trailers/tractors.

Some of the things I hear or read people complain about with truck drivers is just bull. I am very frustrated with the way people drive around here (using turn lanes and shoulders to pass, aggressive lane changes, etc.) and it is all 4 wheelers. I spent 6 hours driving around the Bay Area and Sacramento yesterday in heavy Friday traffic and was positively impressed on how every truck driver handled tough conditions with so many times other drivers cutting in front of them, etc.

"What's the difference between a puppy and a driver?

Eventually the puppy stops crying."

"What's the difference between a puppy and a driver?

Eventually the puppy stops crying."

It is no wonder 4 wheelers hate trucks, I'm in my personal car headed out of town on a trip today. Some Schinder truck is tailgating doing like 20 mph over the speedlight then switching lanes back and forth in a tight construction zone on 294. While he gets within a few feet of the car in front of him then quickly with not signal changes lanes next to us to pass a few cars only to cut back cutting off one of the cars he passed.

I hope you got the truck number and called it in. I know Schneider takes these things seriously.

"What's the difference between a puppy and a driver?

Eventually the puppy stops crying."

Not if the driver has TWO pups, and puts a PINTLE HOOK between them, to FURTHER their incessant 'fussing' and 'wagging' tendencies!!

~ Anne ~

ps: Sorry, BK.. had to get the 'pun'ch line first.

Re: your post above, NO DOUBT. Joking aside, there.

I've been driving for 5 years now (as of aug 18th) and I've noticed a huge difference since I started driving. I'm not a perfect driver and still make mistakes, but the stuff I see on a regular basis just blows my mind. For the last 3 and a half years I've been with my current company my start times have ranged from 10pm to 3am, lately starting about 2am. Everyone (including cars) doesn't understand you need to turn brights off for oncoming traffic or when you're able to see their tail lights. Multiple times a night I'm getting passed by someone with their brights on (or lights severely out of adjustment). I always tilt my mirror in hopes that it'll shine back at them. Doubtful it makes an impact, but it makes me feel better. Don't even get me started on the idiots that park on the shoulder of the interstate with their brights on, I'm guessing to relieve themselves, less than a mile from an exit. Then you have the idiots playing on their phones while driving. Yesterday I passed a driver pulling Amazon messing with his phone that looked like he was video chatting. Atleast twice a week I'm seeing guys watching videos/movies on their phone when I pass them.

I shared the story previously but there was a guy last winter I called in on. Russian company out of Chicago. First encountered him on the way back from KC going well below speed limit. When I moved over to pass he sped up blocking me in the left lane a few miles until we hit a hill that I was able to pull away on since I was empty. Fast forward later in the day I was heading home up I35 in my car and I pass this guy. No big deal not like he'd recognize me. 10 miles later when speed limit on 35 drops to 65 for 5 miles in Ames IA he's side by side with another truck catching me since I dropped my speed. This dude passed me on the shoulder since the other truck took the fast lane. I called his company immediately to report that. He slowed waaaaay down. When I got on the side to pass him he tried to run me off the road. Called his company back and ripped them a new one telling them of what just happened was told the owner was going to fire him. Highly doubtful, aggressive driving seems to be common in those kind of companies.

This morning around 7am near Clear Lake IA on US18 just about back to I35 I was heading west after delivering to Mason City. Ambulance was heading east with lights and sirens. I was unsure of what he was about to do whether continuing east to Mason city or jumping on I35 northbound I threw my hazards on and waited before entering the intersection. A truck had the Ambulance right next to him and proceeded to cut across traffic to get on NB 35. Fortunately the Ambulance was continuing east but it just amazes me. Clearly you must be aware it's there and you must yield, plus not being able to see other oncoming traffic while I have a green light since I'm blocking your line of sight just blew me away. The driver? Friggin phone in hand.

Sadly, I don't even have a solution for how we can solve the problem of people playing on their phones while driving. We can't have a sort of cell Jammer installed there'd be too much uproar. Plus many ELD run on cell towers. We've all heard the stereotypes of certain ethnicities or truck they're driving (I'm looking at you white Volvo mafia) but that's far from the truth. It's not just the trucking industry, it's our society in general.

Trucking to me, especially when it isn't winter, is pretty stress free. The amount of stupidity amongst everyone on the road seems to grow every day. The best thing to do is put space between you and the problem. I still enjoy my job, but some days you deal with so much stupidity it makes you question if it's time to find another career path.

There were a couple times during the 2020 lockdowns I'd stop to grab a drink or sandwich and another customer would thank me and buy my food/drink. Now the most I get is the horn and middle finger because they got stuck behind me for 20 seconds before I could safely complete a pass.

I completely agree with you about drivers being their own worst enemy. Many places I pickup have previously allowed drivers in for the restroom. They no longer do because of the big messes that they're stuck cleaning up. Urinating all over the place, not flushing, pooping in the trash can, the list goes on.

"What's the difference between a puppy and a driver?

Eventually the puppy stops crying."