Question:
I just got back from a two week trip to the East Coast.I have only been driving for a few months. I don't haul freight, I work for a drive=away company delivering trucks to dealers and leasing companies.
I am however just as qualified to be drivng the same trucks you drive, I have a class A cdl, and am considered a professional driver.
I am very new with mountain driving, and was very apprehensive on driving the mountain roads, especially in the rain and fog. To I would much rather drive them at night so I can't see what lies over the edge, as I am afraid of heights. I do the speed limits, and sometimes a little less, and I always let you other more experienced drivers go around me whenever I can.
However, I get a lot of cb talk, about how people like me should not be on the road, we shouldn't be allowed to park in the truck stops, and general whining. I don't know of any other way for us to learn, than to be out there doing it.
I actually found out on my first trip, that I hate the business, in its entirety, however, at the present time, I have to pay the bills, and this is all I know at the time.
so just recently, I have come to the conclusion, that you all are out for just yourselves, and I have lost all respect for the American otr trucker as it use to be known. Please know that if I see a smokey on your tail, with the lightsts a flashing, I will not warn you. You have the same knowledge of the laws as I so, and know the speed limits.
some of you even lack the skills necessary to find the correct route on the map to get to your destination. As overheard on the cb. One driver was looking for the interstate to get from St. Louis,Mo to Springfield,Mo. I knew that my first week out. And you all have more years in than I.(Take I44 west to Springfield) I have also been asked how to get to memphis from St; Louis. I know the exact route I take, before I even put my truck in gear, sure I sometimes make a mistake, but I find it and correct it.
Some of you also have no respect for others at a truckstop. One driver said his wife wanted to meet a lot lizard, just to see what one looked like. And proceeded to tell all that"My husband gets all the (edited) he wants". This should be kept between the two parties involved, not broadcast to the whole world.
There are a few of you out there who do show the respect to others, and are friendly and show concern, But not too many.

Answer:
Another Happy participant in the "lifestyle"
has added another chapter to the "what was I thinking" book.
Mike
Answer:
Sorry to hear you feel that way. But do not let a few ROTTEN APPLES generalize the rest of us.
The CB use to be useful now its useless. I overheard this Monday night in Camden NJ
Breaker Breaker I haz an a AK 47 and 3 CLIPS for sale .
Hey BRAKER dat dem guns da commies uses
Yaz it is da one
Mans I likes to get dat
Can yaz let me trys it out
Mixed in with multiple DINGS , TWEETS ecte.and Lot Lizards doing their INFO COMMERCIALS.

Answer:
You know, you are going to find total idiots in any walk of life you choose to go with. There are idiot doctors, idiot lawyers, idiot teachers, idiot rocket scientists, and yes, there certainly are idiot truck drivers. But do we stop going to all doctors because you had a bad experience with one?
Your first mistake in learning was to listen to the CB. There are many folks behind the wheel of a big truck who never learned how to drive a car safely, yet are still piloting 40 tons down the interstate. It's a result of the incredible greed that is trying to consume this industry. You nor I make the rules that govern trucking. But just like any other occupation, your experience will be that in which you make it. Doing the drive-away thing is a great way to make money trucking, especially if you don't have family.
If it's what you really want to do, why would you be concerned what the blithering idiots on the CB have to say? When you start letting someone else drive your truck for you and critique your every move, you are asking for your own dismissal. It's YOUR truck; it's gonna go down the road just like you want it to, and no one else should have any say on the matter. Turn the CB off and use it for emergencies only. Your resentment towards all truckers in general will actually begin to fade. And maybe you might find yourself liking what you do again.
But then again, trucking is not for everybody. It's hard on the family, everyone has their hand out to take your money from you, and the stress factor is enormous compared to say, an air traffic controller. It ain't easy steering that big mass of iron and rubber amongst total idiots who are in a never-ending hurry to drive around in circles all day. Add some rotten weather to the mix and you are trying to stay sane in a totally chaotic world that don't make any sense.
Leave trucking if it's really what you want to do. But don't let anyone but yourself make that decision for you.......Happy Thanksgiving!
Head Warrior, TFBU
On The Mend.....

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Well guys, thanks for your comments, they helped me a little, and you are right, not all drivers are alike!

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Check out books on tape or maybe look into the add-on XM radio receiver.

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Use the "OFF" feature on your C.B., or better yet, throw the damn thing away. The people you are listening to probably wouldn't be happy if they were hung with a new rope. When you let the idiots of the world into your kitchen, you've lost. Books on tape, prayer, planning your next family outing, and XM radio are just a few things that come to mind, rather than giving the idiots of the world any of my precious time.
If you truly like what you do, then just do it!
Hey...you lookin' at me?-Arthur Spooner

Answer:
Originally posted by johnyd339:
I just got back from a two week trip to the East Coast.I have only been driving for a few months. I don't haul freight, I work for a drive=away company delivering trucks to dealers and leasing companies.
I am however just as qualified to be drivng the same trucks you drive, I have a class A cdl, and am considered a professional driver.
Whats wrong with the job you have now?
I know of drivers that are happy and make money doing what you do.
Also,
I never knew other drivers looked down on your type of job!??? A truck is a truck! It takes a professional to drive any kind of truck! Big or small!
Now why are you spending all your time beating yourself up and looking for trash in truckstops?
************************************
Indiana RoadRunner
A legend in his own mind!

Answer:
Air Traffic Controller
SkidRowJoe: Gotta differ with you there - I spent over 3 yrs as a military and civilian controller and you have no idea about stress, until you realize every syllable you speak to a pilot, you literally have over 500 lives in your hands
You're generally talking to no less than 5 - 8 aircraft per minute in your radar sector; while keeping them separated from other controller's sectors as all Approach / Departure controllers are huddled around huge radar screens --- you have no less than 25 conversations going at once, and you have to be able to hear what they're saying and keep your sector safe at the same time.
I'd say that shifting gears and watching vehicle traffic is a heck of alot less stressful.
Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

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I kinda like all the madness out there. It keeps things interesting.

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Some drivers would love to have a job delivering equipment like you do.My self included remember you don't deal with dock workers having bad days and taking it out on you or grocery wharehouses telling you your pallets are wrong and need to be redone.As for all the billy bigriggers out there and you all know who you are,they are just jealous of you because you have a decent job.Just my opinion.
aman
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Just bust their balls right back.They are out their for your entertainment to screw with.Act real dumb and tell them you ain't got a CDL and always wanted to drive a truck.
Dumb questions about direction get dumb answers.
"does this I-395 take me to I-95?"
No driver,it ends 5 miles before you get their,you will see the signs for the route to I-95.
Zigzag a certified failure at OTR trucking.
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What's the problem?

Answer:
Hey Johny,
I consider those that do what you say as the minority in trucking..Take OTR trucking.There are thousands and thousands of driver doing it.Out of that number you are going to have some who stand out as numbskulls.Just like our society,for the most part people are good and decent enough.All you hear are the bad things..Tends to make one believe that "everyone" is that way and it is easy to sterotype based on that.
I know that when I am going by a major(even some minor)truckstop that garbage will start flowing out of my CB speaker.The cb allows the talker(s) to remain anonymous.They say things that they would never say if they thought or knew someone would find out who they are and who they drive for..Much like those who enter internet chats and BBS's with the soul purpose to create trouble/controversy..ect..ect..I know their is very little I can do about it.But the one thing I can do is simply recognize what they are doing and ignore it or accept it for what it is..Perhaps I have calloused myself to the filthy banter and name calling,racist/sexist remarks.I don't really care why they do it anymore.I know with the uninforced rules set out for the frequency givin for "citizen band" anyone with a few bucks can buy a cb and spew what ever they want with little fear of recourse.
I usually turn up my squelch and turn down the volume so only a truck really close or with a "big radio" will even get through..Once I get down the road a bit I will turn the cb settings back.
Same thing with drivers.If you really think about it,in a givin day you encouter more acts of friendliness and general courtesy from other drivers than bad/rude behavior..It's that the bad things are those that tend to stick in ones mind becouse they involve more emotion and one tends to dwell on that.Example: a driver waves at you while passing,you wave back and maybe for a few seconds to a minute you think that was nice..Now if a driver passes you and flips you the bird,you will have all sorts of negitive thoughts and will ponder why he did that for a much longer time..In the 2 scenrios both involved a simple hand jesture.But one usually cause's you to dwell upon it,thus it sticks in your mind..Compound this by a few times a day and it becomes easy to belive that entire industy is full of bungholes...
Next time out try to mark down each time you see/hear or have a act of courtesy done to you..Then mark down the bad..I think you may be surprised to find the good do outnumber the bad by many fold...
The best I can recommend is to be professional at all times.Deep down most of us know what the "right thing" to do is..If driving slower makes you a safer driver then drive slower..I too hear the complaints about driver's going slower than the posted speed limit.My truck does 62 mph and I have yet to see hard data that I create accidents because I cannot do the legal speed limit on interstates highways in alot of states..They biggest complainers are those who don't look far enough up the road and pick a path of least resistance.They wait till the last second to see if they can get into the "hammer lane" to pass me and when they get boxed in behind me they start to whine.Truth is,a truely professional driver would have positioned themselves in advance to pass or mearly wait for the left lane to clear and then make the pass..The unprofesional driver waits till the last sec,doesn't postion themself,get's too close for safty by tailgating me and grab's the mic and begins to belittle me....I know the difference and chuckle to myself.The problem is so small in the big scheme of things I find it almost funny that they would let not getting around me ruin there whole day..
Dave B

Answer:
Different rigs setups require different types of driving.
The drive a way setup you have.
Tankers.
Flatbeds.
Dump configurations.
Oversize.
Containers.
Dry van, reefers.
Single axle.
Tandem axle.
Spread axle.
Doubles.
Triples.
These all handle differently under various conditions. There is no one right way to drive that covers all types.
You need to drive in the way that it is safe for your type of rig, not someone elses. Most of these boneheads your hearing on the CB don't have any experience with different types of rig configurations. Their steering wheel holders.