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Well, I've been back on the road for CFI for more than 90 days now..... and the more things change, the more they stay the same. I came back to "freight hauling" after a 2 and half year break..... and virtually nothing has really changed. But I do have some suggestions for you new people who want to join the ranks, and frankly some "experienced drivers" could latch on to the suggestions as well. If I upset anyone...report to your Rabbi, Preacher, Priest, or Mommy and have he or she punch your TS card, 'cuz I hope I do irritate some people badly enough that they might actually listen and maybe change their habits...our don't pick up any bad ones....
1. Don't you dare get out of your truck and urinate in the parking lot of a truck stop. If I see you, your safety department or HR department is going to talk to you. Don't dump your urine jug out either, and don't leave a full one for someone else to pick up. Bodily waste is "Hazardous Material", not to mention odiferous and disgusting...especially in warm weather!! Far too many drivers do it. Carry a "porta-potty", and use the chemicals for it, and empty it in RV dump stations in rest areas and truck stops. Many rest areas have them, and alot of the Pilots that were Williams TS's have them as well. I carry one, and I use it...one of the best investments I have made. Beats the devil out of getting out of a warm truck on a cold night to find a bathroom in a dark truck stop or rest area....or elsewhere for that matter.
2. If you can't say anything nice on the CB...... Keep your yap shut. No-one needs to hear a foul mouth. If you want to have a long conversation with another driver...take it to another channel. 19 is bad enough and it needs to be kept clear for more important issues. Leave the sexist, racist and other stupid comments unsaid. Its one thing to be a fool, and yet another to open your yap and prove it to the world. Also...remember, there may be a family traveling that has a CB on...and the kids, much less the parents don't need to hear the profanity or nonsense....makes us all look stupid.
3. OBEY SPEED LIMITS!!!! Especially in construction zones!!!! Frankly, I tend to run just below the speed limit all the time. I have ZERO tickets so I have paid no fines. Construction zone fines are double and the points are too. Just because some other driver speeds is no reason to do it. Here again, if you do it and get caught....you deserve it, and if you have an accident and it is determined that you were speeding....guess what? You're in deep trouble. No, not just a ticket, you're probably going to get sued along with the company you drive for...... Can you afford that???? I can't!!
4. Don't throw trash out of your truck into parking lots, roadways, or anywhere other than a garbage can. Too many people do it....and its disgusting as well. If you get caught littering you can get fined for that as well. Why do you think so many Wal-Marts have up barriers to trucks now? Probably because of the grabage and urine bottles left behind....can you blame them?
5. Pay attention to whats going on around you at all times...both when moving and stationary. Keep aware of where and how your trailer is tracking at all times. Keep your vehicle under control. Don't pull out to pass until you hav e cleared your rear. There may be a truck or car coming up fast that is going to pass you, and if its a truck you don't want to pull out in front of one moving much faster than you......because he may not be able to avoid hitting you and you will probably be cited for careless driving...if you survive the accident.
6. Pay attention to your personal appearance!! Wear clean clothes, wash your body, shave at least every couple of days, and dress like a professional.
You are not a scum-bag, so why look like one? Have a little bit of pride in yourself....you represent all of us, not to mention your employer. And trust me when I say that even in this industry....you only get one chance to make an impression. Shippers, receivers, DOT, Police, and everyone else is going to judge you on your appearance and conduct....so why not get right and keep it right? It will pay off in the end, as well as every day.
7. Do not be confrontational with anyone, period!! There are way too many fruitcakes and loose cannons out there nowadays. Bite your lip, shut your yap, keep your gestures and thoughts to yourself. You never know if the other guy is a whacko who has a gun, and who might use it. Rambo is a fictional character....leave it that way. Besides, since "Trucking" is supposed to be one of the most "stressful occupations" in this country, don't you have enough on your hands on a daily basis to keep you busy without the additional distractions of arguing with crazies??
8. If you are a "newbie", you make darn sure your trainer teaches you how to use the informational sections of the Map Atlas, particularly where axles lengths are concerned, and make sure the trainer teaches you how to "axle out" your rig. You don't want to deal with overweight or over-length issues on most states...especially California, and a few others. Learn how heavy loads are supposed to be loaded, and be assertively, but politely firm, about how your trailer is being loaded if it looks wrong. Once you leave the shipper... its on you. In the past couple of months I have saved new drivers a significant amount of money..... saw them moving loads with the tandems stretched out on 53' trailers....they had NO CLUE!!! If you don't know....ask!!
9. Be polite to people in cars, rv's, and other trucks. Not everyone is nice, but it does no good to sink to someone else's level. Besides, what goes around comes around. And when you stop to think about it....many trailers have 800 #'s on them.....and you don't want someone calling your company and telling them what a jerk you were...or telling white lies that you can't prove wrong. Your vehicle will weigh as much as 80,000 lbs, 40 tons....and you have to control it and operate it safely. You can't afford not to be safe and polite.
10. Think "SAFETY" all of the time!!! Its your life and livelihood on the line each and every day. Drive carefully and safely. We don't own the road, we share the road with everyone.
11. Even though winter is coming to a close soon....if you have never driven a semi on snow, packed snow, ice, or black ice..... go slow or stop. Learn how to "throw iron"...chain up. Or stop and park until its safer to move. Make sure you know the right way to mount the chains or you will lose them or damage your vehicle or someone elses. And remember when "chained up".....30 MPH is the MAX SPEED you can safely move. If the weather is so bad that you feel unsafe for ANY REASON, stop and contact your safety department and tell them where you are and why you are shutting down. Slavery was outlawed in the mid 1800's so you cannot be forced to move when you feel unsafe. Besides, the receiver would rather get their freight alittle late than never.
Those are just a few observations I offer for thought. I drive for a company that has expectations about when freight has to be where its supposed to be. But they also say that "I make the final decision about when its unsafe to continue in bad weather". And trust me when I say that "My life is worth more than anything in the trailer".
Random thoughts for musing over and educational purposes..... I have a fair amount of experience...but I learn something new every day......
Be safe out there!!So I like what I do, you don't, too bad, get over it. Get on with your life, I am.

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That was very good! I am going to have my trucker read that.
Especially number 6.
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Very well said, I hope a few listen
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I agree with you Skywalker 100%.
But if you think this will make a noticeable difference, you are dreaming.
Things aren't the same since you left, they are worse.
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Well said, sir!
MrClark—Groucho Marx 1890-1977

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Nice to see you posting again, Skywalker, and even better to note that you're considerably less opinionated than in the past,
In the future, try not to hold back; tell us what you really think
12. No homesteading on the fuel pumps. Pull up, fuel and move.

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Great post IMHO but it amazes me that all points mentioned were either common sense,common courtesy,or just the plain old law.
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Great post! I agree with all of it.

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Skywalker
Great post totally agree with your post if everyone followed that we would all have a lot less problems and stress in our daily lives .
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Highwayman.....I can only hope that just one will listen, but hope springs eternal.....maybe two will listen or even just think twice on an occasion or maybe two....just maybe. I know its alot to expect, but one of the strong points of my existence is my ability to hope/expect..... Yes, every bit of it is simple common sense and issues of law....but its amazing how many people in this country have little or no common sense...and are ignorant of the laws, rules, regulations, etc. I guess I'm feeling alittle more proactive about teaching the newer drivers...and maybe some of the "experienced" as well. Its all in the delivery.....
John C..... I'm past all of that. I know that trying to push a string across the road is pretty much futile.... so I also realize that trying to argue with people is a complete waste of time. I think I would rather do things alittle differently.
I also had a "near-death" experience this past fall that struck home all too close since it almost resulted in my death.....about 70 miles offshore on a moonless night in the Gulf of Mexico in very rough seas.... with me being in the water without a "tether" to the boat or a light....and a dead engine on the boat. I'll leave it at that, and only add that my perspectives and attitudes have somewhat shifted and I tend to view things alittle differently. I do more strongly believe that I have a Guardian Angel, and that I still have things to accomplish.
Be safe out there!!

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"" I do more strongly believe that I have a Guardian Angel""
When you can't explain why you didn't die,you know there is more to it than meets the eye
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Skywalker that was an illuminating, I'm at a loss for words after I read (1,2,4,6)how professional drivers are behaving. I'm just speechless, this is 2004 isn't it?"if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything"