Question:
That's the best idea I've heard about. If you have a week or two or more vacation time coming up at work and you are thinking about going to truck school, why not ride with atrucke r for 2 to 3 weeks and find out what it is really like? oh sure, there's alot you won't find out and or experience in 2 or 3 weeks, but you'll learn a lot more than a recruiter could tell you about. negotioate with the driver a fee you will pay hime , maybe 2 or 3 hundred a week plus washing his truck for him or paying for his gas. of course if you're a pretty young lady , you have a lot more leverage in the negotiation department. for example, as a pretty young lady, you could offer to give a back massage every 1000 miles, or even offer to wash his clothes at the truck stop laundromat. like i said , all the negotiating is entirely between you and the driver.
but seriously, would any drivers consider this? or would they be allowed to do somethign like this?

Answer:
Yes there are ppl who would like to and who have done it. Cessna went with Taxibob and I offfered to take a lady with me just so she could get the feel of it. The negotiating is severly wrong, just because as a female with a male driver, his negotiating might get sticky.Other then that I think it's a cool idea.
The rule of thumb, hurry up and wait is the absolute truth.
Wish someone would read my post from yesterday and help me with some pointers through Long Island, NY.
I was told by a old hand that your not really a good truck driver till you drive through NYC. Well, I have full confidence and faith that I will then become a "GOOD TRUCKER."

Answer:
Hey Charlie I got a great idea. Why dont you take Loriaz out with you? You can drop her off in Canada and make her walk home.

Answer:
Negotiating a ride-a-long is a good idea.
But! It must be kept on a 'professional level' at all times.
Otherwise it could impose some serious ramifications for all parties involved.
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"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
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"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
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Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Originally posted by Hoss:
Negotiating a ride-a-long is a good idea.
But! It must be kept on a 'professional level' at all times.
Otherwise it could impose some serious ramifications for all parties involved.
Yea, no back rubs every 1000 miles.

Answer:
going on a ride along for a week or two is not a bad idea, though realistically it may be somewhat difficult to do unless you know a driver. Many drivers will be too uncomfortable having a stranger in their truck with them, and also many companies have some very strict rules regarding passengers that may prohibit such a thing.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
when you pray you talk to God
when you stand in front of the ocean he talks to you
[This message was edited by LoriAz on January 12, 2004 at 1:13.]

Answer:
Be sure you travel with someone who's NOT a complete stranger (DUH!).
"Creatin' Chaos- Coast to Coast!", but doin' it safely!
ASE Certified Diesel Technician who found a love for the road!Not liable for any information posted.

Answer:
It's a good idea, in fact I think drivers ed students should be required to ride with a trucker for one day, maybe they wouldn't act so stupidly around trucks.
However, especially in the post 9/11 era, companies are becoming much more restrictive in their rider policies, particularly those which haul lots of hazmat, like my company does.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane.
Waylon Jennings

Answer:
Backing manuvers (see my post under newbie Millis experience).
Also need a little coaching on the splitting the top gears.
I used to be a licensed massage therapist(I am male, straight, professional) I will do laundry, wash truck, do your pre trip inspection, full body massage, drop and hook your trailer and tractor, do your trip planning.
I live in MA, have my permit class A Combo and Air Brake endorsement.
Need major help on the (censored) backing manuvers.
I may sound desperate, but I've come to far to give up and turn back.
Thanks.
John.

Answer:
Well John that does sound desperate and I am sure you really don't mean all those things. If you found someone to tag along with I am sure he/she would definately help you with your backing. Now on the splitting of the gears, it's something you have to accomplish with patience and more patience. Anyone can tell you how to go through the gears, but everyone has a system and well you have to figure out your system. Remember not everyone drives, backs or shifts the same.
BTW, I was called a newbie today and darn proud of it. Everyone started out as a newbie and yes the generation of trucking is young, but so was truckers 30 years ago. That is what everyone forgets and tries to deny.
HERE I GO TO Say ughhhhhhhhhhhhhh NYC.
I'll let you know my first experience in NYC and Queens.

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was a great experience. Some of the things I learned from him I have used out here a few times.
If you can do it, by all means, but make sure it is with someone you know.

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Hi there, I do mean everthing I wrote, reason being that I will keep the skills I have learned tuned and polished. I just got back from Millis school, See my post in the Newbie section. I didn't pass because of the backing manuvers, but did great in everything else.
Have a good one, drive safe.
John