Question:
All that I ask of new drivers is for you to please do it the best you can, no matter what task you are doing. Please do not concern yourself with trying to do it better, or smoother, or faster than the next guy. Please do not think that if it takes you an extra minute to back it in the hole without hitting anything you are worthless, or if you feel you need to take that ramp 10 mph slower than the posted limt that you doing something wrong. Please just worry about doing it the best and the safest way you know how to do it.
Oh yeah there are two more things that I must ask of you.
First is that if you need help or advice please do not be too proud to ask. There are a lot of drivers out there who know and remember what it is like to be where you are at that moment.
Lastly, and this is the most important. Please make it your mission in life to return home to your loved ones safe and healthy.
Be careful out there.
Answer:
How about helping out the new drivers? The faster we can teach them to backup, drive safely, the less time we have to spend waiting for them to get in the hole or sitting on the freeway while the wreck gets cleaned up.
Please don’t give me the “if they don’t know what they are doing, they don’t belong out there crap”! If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
I listened to several drivers give a non-Swift driver a bunch of crap because he couldn’t back into a dock. Of course the driver struggling was holding up several trucks that were in a hurry. I finally got out and it took me 5 minutes to get the guy docked, including sending him around the parking lot so he would be setup correctly to back into the dock. Enough already, give me a (edited) break! Either help or shut the (edited) up!
-J

Answer:
You experienced men are right on the money.
When I rode with my buddy in his skateboard, we pulled into this shopping center one day to get some hot chow and this driver from Schneider in one of those orange trucks backed right into a parked police car. Poor devil damn near cratered the whole side of that cruiser in. And to make matters worse it was the town police chief who just got issued that cruiser in brand spakin new condition with a mere 450 miles on the odomter. Boy I tell you what when that cop came out of the Vons he slammed his coffee onto the ground and tore into that poor driver worse than a recruit just stepping onto them yellow footprints at Parris Island LOL.
We came to find out that the Schneider driver only had about 3 months under his belt. Crazy thing was there was a JB Hunt driver sitting there watching the whole thing and my buddy asked him why he didn't get out and help the Schneider driver. The JB Hunt guy said "(edited) happens" and that he didn't get paid to be training newbies.- Hamilton Carhartt, founder of Carhartt Apparel

Answer:
sorry but schneider screwed up because he had his head up his (edited). 3 days 3 months or 3 decades he didnt get out and look and that aint Jb's fault, that is just basic stuff. i know you mean well but he dont need sympathy he didnt do his job and that aint something you can help anybody with. he need to be retrained and he deserved what that cop gve him. there just as easily been some kid in the car or playing back there or whatever and he didnt have a clue what was behind him he couldnt be bothered to get off his fat (edited) and find out. that newbie had already been trained in that over and over and over i know for a fact i know people at schneider. he ignored his training and somebody could have been hurt real bad. THESE BIGTRUCKS WILL KILL YOU AND ANY BODY ELSE DEAD DEAD DEAD in less than heartbeat . if million mile drivers can get themselfs killed so can you. you aint magically special.
he need to go back with a trainer or quit if he aint willing to do the important stuff on his own. now helping with set ups and all that is fine and good hands will be more than happy to help people out but there aint many of those out there, most are just trash so pay attention to your trainers and be sure you can figure out how to get yourself where need to be without help, even if you have to take all day to get in a hole take the time and know what is going on around you, and screw the whining fat (edited) stupid b!tches who dont like it they dont matter they aint nothing just truck drivers like yourself so (edited) them.

Answer:
We have new drivers that come to work for us, you need two years experience to work here. I tell them to "slow down when pulling tankers"
It goes in one ear and out the other.
I told one guy over and over again, don't speed and don't tailgate. He flipped the tanker less than 24 hours later, totaled a brand new truck with less than 4,000 miles on it, lost the load on the median about 3000 gals of grape juice spilled, he was lucky he didn't kill himself or someone else. He was going like a bat out of hell and lost control. Goes in one ear and out the other side.
Another one of our "NASTRUCK" heros almost rear ended me up in Fremont, Mi the other day!!! In one ear, out the other!!!

Answer:
Hi dak1,
Don't give up. When I first started I gots lots of advice. Some of it I still follow to this day. Some of it didn't work for me. I just hope there are more listeners then the are those with nothing between the ears.
I have thought about pulling tankers, but I'm getting treated pretty good where I'm at so for right now I'm staying put.
-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

Answer:
Sliding 5th wheel:
1) Lower the landing gear to the ground
2) hit the 5th wheel slider release (don't rlease the kingpin)
3) dump the tractor air bags, this will release the 5th wheel slide locks
4) slide the tractor, lock 5th wheel slider, fill the airbags and raise the landing gear.
Sliding trailer tandems:
When you stop, stop lightly; stop with the tractor and trailer in a straight line. Once you are almost stopped pull the tractor parking brake. Do not pull the trailer brakes. If you jerk to a stop you were going to fast.
WD40 will help the pins release if they are stuck. If you have one that still doesn’t release, wrap a bungee cord around the release lever and attach the other ends to the trailer side. Sometimes the pins have a groove in them and the pull by the bungee cord will get the pins past the groove.
-JHappy Dwellers Society
Company Driver Division

Answer:
HIi Guys I am a newbie and would appreciate any advice that you could give me any time we meet.I have been on this site lurking mostly and have picked up some good tips/tricks.To DriverJ : Thank you sir. That is the type of response that ALL CDL holders should have. Remember We were all new once before!

Answer:
Green as grass newbie here!! Everything posted previously is 1000% correct.
1. Slow down!!
2. If you don't feel comfortable in a situation, get off the road in a safe area and think it out COMPLETELY!!!
3. Get Out And Look every single time you setup to back up!!!!!!! Even before if you are backing into a tight spot. Walk your entire backing plan through in your mind!!! No drives that truck but you.
4. Going through construction zones? What's the posted speed? Drive it. Lock it down!! So what if others are screaming at you that they are in a hurry!! Turn off the CB, turn up the music and enjoy the drive. They are behind you and that's all you need to worry about. Who's family member are you going to protect when you do??
5. Don't take off on a dispatch until you have taken the time to look it over from every angle. Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance!!!
The old hands here know that slow and steady, beats out fast and furious almost every single time. With Roehl trucks governed at 65 MPH, I normally set my cruise at 62-63 to allow a cushion for hills and I don't allow my speed to "let-go" on hills, ever.
Even though I have been solo for less than two months, I can't tell you the number of times I have been passed by "fast and furious" multiple times and stil beat them to the prime parking spot in the truck stop.
And never, ever let what other people do, cause you to think you need to do the same thing just to "fit in" with the crowd.
Good luck and be safe out there!! God Bless!I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

Answer:
Although I am still fairly new with about 6 months under my belt, I appreciate all assistance or tips that make my life easier. When I use the GOAL (Get out and Look) when backing into a tight spot, I ignore the Truck Stop Rambos who insist that I need to get in faster for them. I drive my truck let them drive theirs.
I learned very early I don't care if someone has 2 months or 20 years experience they might have something to tell you that might help.
Just take everything told you with a grain of salt and safely make up your own mind.

Answer:
Although I am still fairly new with about 6 months under my belt, I appreciate all assistance or tips that make my life easier. When I use the GOAL (Get out and Look) when backing into a tight spot, I ignore the Truck Stop Rambos who insist that I need to get in faster for them. I drive my truck let them drive theirs.
I learned very early I don't care if someone has 2 months or 20 years experience they might have something to tell you that might help.
Just take everything told you with a grain of salt and safely make up your own mind.

Answer:
Just remember,nobody is watching you until you screw up and then everybody
will see you.One thing i would strongly suggest from you new folks is STOP TAILGATING and have a little respect for other drivers.Everybodies trucks are cut back now,you do 65,i do 66 if you can't pull the hill faster than me with my empty trailer then please give in and let me go around when i have 50 cars trying to go around me,i would do the same for you and most of all slow down,pay attention and take your time.