Are you an idiot ???

[Ray H]

Ever wonder how many times a day you are called an idiot/moron/dumbass/etc?

In my job I constantly interact with the general public. I know that most of the time, they dont have a clear understanding of why I do what I do to accomplish my job, so they go about their day thinking (or saying) "what an idiot".
Anyone else have a job where YOU are the idiot (in the eyes of the general public)?

[DrMoab]

Hehe....uh....I drive a truck for a living. Everyone thinks Im an idiot.

If I don't get the finger at least once a day Im just not doing something right.

[Ray H]

Hehe....uh....I drive a truck for a living. Everyone thinks Im an idiot.

If I don't get the finger at least once a day Im just not doing something right.

Hahahah !!!!

Thats hilarious. Guess what I do for a living.

[xjtrailrider]

My wife, 3 kids and my boss think I am. I just don't see it. :dunno:

[SCW]

Hahahah !!!!

Thats hilarious. Guess what I do for a living.


From your description, you are either a cop or some other kind of idiot. :D

[Ray H]

From your description, you are either a cop or some other kind of idiot. :D

No, I drive a truck. I thought it was amusing that the first reply to my thread was another truck driver.
I was over qualified for village idiot. Its a shame, it payed better than driving.

[DrMoab]

No, I drive a truck. I thought it was amusing that the first reply to my thread was another truck driver.
I was over qualified for village idiot. Its a shame, it payed better than driving.
Come to Utah.

I'm making a killing driving. They have to pay me well to put up with all the real idiots out there.

[Ray H]

Come to Utah.

I'm making a killing driving. They have to pay me well to put up with all the real idiots out there.
Oh no doubt I could make good money if i felt like working 70 hours a week. Im not into working more than 40 or 50 hours. either way, its barely enough to justify putting up with the daily BS.

[89Daytona]

If you are a truck driver maybe you can answer this question.... Why do tractor trailers almost always go up hills next to eachother and slower than the speed limit basically blocking the road (ie Polish Roadblock)?

[LilRhodyXJ]

I drive a truck/van as well..in the winter its not bad but doing deliveries in the Summer over here with all the tourists, sucks. I sometimes cut people off and sort of drive a little erratic because tourists can't drive well and we are on VERY tight schedules in the summer. I've seen the finger so many times its a might sad. Sometimes people just don't understand that you can't see them, you only have two mirrors! When I drive the big GMC Savanna its okay because with a Duramax that baby flies and I have all the right mirrors..however when I have to drive the cab overs or the standard trucks its a bit funny

Andrew

[Fergie]

I work construction.

I KNOW that most people think I'm uneducated and a slob. However, most folks don't know that myself and the other "uneducated slobs" are the Engineers responsible for every aspect of the building, and that we make more money they do.

I like surprising people, and I like having the respect of the other construction workers as we are down in the trenches with them on a daily basis.

I prefer the respect of hard working, uneducated slobs over the acceptance of a bunch of self indulgent boobs.

[LilRhodyXJ]

I prefer the respect of hard working, uneducated slobs over the acceptance of a bunch of self indulgent boobs.

Well said, I wish more people in my area though that way..


Andrew

[Matt S.]

I don't need other people to tell me I am an idiot. Thats common knowledge!



Hi, my name is Matt, and I am an idiot.

[JohnX]

Come to Utah.

I thought you were anti immigrant? Sounds like an open invite...here I come.

[Ray H]

If you are a truck driver maybe you can answer this question.... Why do tractor trailers almost always go up hills next to eachother and slower than the speed limit basically blocking the road (ie Polish Roadblock)?

Sure, Theres actually a couple of reasons for this.
The short answer is to get around slower trucks. If he waited until every four wheeler goes by, he would never get out from behind slower trucks so hes got to get out there in front of someone. Slowing people down is not his goal or a game truckers play, they do it for the same reason everyone does, to pass slower vehicles, thats all.

Heres the catch. Some trucks are governed, some arent. Governed trucks almost always top out under 70MPH, some as low as 63. So on the flat, youve got a governed truck doing 65 and a nongoverned truck doing 70 so the faster truck gets out there to pass the slower one. When they hit a hill, both trucks lose momentum and the faster truck slows and is no longer going faster than the governed truck and they get stuck side by side. The last thing you want to do at the bottom or on a hill, especially if you are loaded heavy and its a long hill, is get off the excelerator.

Now a question for you.
Why is it that I walk around and check my lights and turn signals before every trip but as soon as I get on the road, my turn signals apparently stop working. I know this happens because no one seems to see them.

[Ramsey]

I don't need other people to tell me I am an idiot. Thats common knowledge!



Hi, my name is Matt, and I am an idiot.
Hi Matt, welcome to our group.

[casm]

Anyone else have a job where YOU are the idiot (in the eyes of the general public)?

Years ago, I worked Tier I technical support for a national ISP. One of my favourite things to do: tell a customer I was putting them on hold when I was really putting them on mute - this way, I could hear everything they had to say about me, and adjust my helpfulness levels accordingly :)

[Ray H]

Years ago, I worked Tier I technical support for a national ISP. One of my favourite things to do: tell a customer I was putting them on hold when I was really putting them on mute - this way, I could hear everything they had to say about me, and adjust my helpfulness levels accordingly :)

I wonder how many people have done that to me. Hmmm ! That could explain alot. Oh well, its usually nothing I wouldnt tell them to their face (after they help me).

[ChiXJeff]

Years ago, I worked Tier I technical support for a national ISP. One of my favourite things to do: tell a customer I was putting them on hold when I was really putting them on mute - this way, I could hear everything they had to say about me, and adjust my helpfulness levels accordingly :)
"My cupholder is broke....."

I'm sure that people I work with are calling me an idiot...... but *NEVER* to my face. Never, never, never piss off the enterprise system administrators. Right now, they're real unhappy with me because I'm not listening to them whine as I'm locking down systems access.

[DrMoab]

I thought you were anti immigrant? Sounds like an open invite...here I come.
I'm anti-stupid immigrant. If you are willing to come here and live like the rest of us and not try to turn it into another Californa then I really don't have a problem with someone moving here.

Besides...He isn't from California. :D

[DrMoab]

If you are a truck driver maybe you can answer this question.... Why do tractor trailers almost always go up hills next to eachother and slower than the speed limit basically blocking the road (ie Polish Roadblock)?
Like Ray said...

Remember this too truck drivers live on the Highway and it makes them their money. If you make .40 cents a mile then every mile an hour you go faster you make .40 cents an hour more.

That being said....these asshole companies who limit their trucks to 62 or 65 MPH are the real culprit in that.

[Ray H]

That being said....these asshole companies who limit their trucks to 62 or 65 MPH are the real culprit in that.

I agree with you, and I work for one of those asshole companies. We are governed at 63. You think you take alot of flack in a day, try going 63 all day long. Its a no win situation though. People complain when you are going slower than they are, AND they complain when you go faster then they are. So pleasing the public isnt even the issue. My issue with it is it cuts into my paycheck. I dont really make less money going slower, but it does take a longer time for me to make the same money. So it cuts into my pay per hour.

The shame is that governed trucks are the future. I see every company doing it eventually.

[DrMoab]

The shame is that governed trucks are the future. I see every company doing it eventually.
I hope you are wrong and know you are right. Not from the companies but from the feds.

We just bought a truck from Flying J. It was governed at 65. My boss turned it up to 80. :D

I feel for ya dude. I used to work for a company that limited us to 65 and they "say" it was for safty but get on a 65 MPH two lane Highway and either you are being passed in dangerous situations by the faster vehicles or are frustrated because you get stuck behind a vehicle going 2 MPH slower then you and you can't get around them.

[Ray H]

I hope you are wrong and know you are right. Not from the companies but from the feds.

We just bought a truck from Flying J. It was governed at 65. My boss turned it up to 80. :D

I feel for ya dude. I used to work for a company that limited us to 65 and they "say" it was for safty but get on a 65 MPH two lane Highway and either you are being passed in dangerous situations by the faster vehicles or are frustrated because you get stuck behind a vehicle going 2 MPH slower then you and you can't get around them.

At least my company is honest about it. They say its so they can save money on fuel. My personal opinion is that we would save more if we were governed at 68 instead of 63, but Im biazed. They just recently slowed us from 65 to 63. Im stuck in the right lane all day. Im on and off the cruise, slowing down and speeding back up for all the traffic getting on and off the interstate. Im stuck behind every RV on the road and slowing for them. I know Im off the cruise more now than I was even at 65, its got to use more fuel.

[5-90]

I must be - nearly every job I've had, I work with my hands.

I've even been called an idiot (by my own boss!) because I worked with my hands and he didn't. My reply? "I have to deal with you on your own level."

Amazing that I've never been fired from a job...

[Ray H]

I must be - nearly every job I've had, I work with my hands.

I've even been called an idiot (by my own boss!) because I worked with my hands and he didn't. My reply? "I have to deal with you on your own level."

Amazing that I've never been fired from a job...

I couldnt take my boss calling me an idiot. The general public, nothing I can do about them. Our customers, they are always right. But the boss, no way.
Thats the only good thing about driving a truck. It puts me on even ground with the boss. He knows that if he fires me, I can have another job before he replaces me. So hes nice to me. Actually for all the BS that comes with my current employer, the only reason I stay is because they are a super respectful company.

[SCW]

I noticed driving I-40 last year from Texas for New Mexico that as SOON AS we crossed the state line every truck picked up 5mph along with the speed limit. I assume the log books are tight enough now that you can get in trouble for breaking the speed limit?

Seemed strange.

[Ray H]

I noticed driving I-40 last year from Texas for New Mexico that as SOON AS we crossed the state line every truck picked up 5mph along with the speed limit. I assume the log books are tight enough now that you can get in trouble for breaking the speed limit?

Seemed strange.

Log books can be fudged. You would really have to not be paying attention to get hammered for a log book violation for speeding. My guess is they didnt want a speeding citation. Some areas and states are known for picking out trucks. Ohio is an example.

[Ramsey]

I know one of the companies that delivered fuel to the airport had some sort of computer in the truck that logged how fast they went how much they stopped and even how many times they hit the brakes. Is that common?

[DrMoab]

I know one of the companies that delivered fuel to the airport had some sort of computer in the truck that logged how fast they went how much they stopped and even how many times they hit the brakes. Is that common?
With most of the bigger companies they have sat computers in them that relay all info back to the company. They can tell what speed you are going, where you are at, what temp the truck is running and on and on and on.

I've heard that so far DOT hasn't been able to access Qual-com(the sat units most companies use) YET!

I'm sure if you were in a bad enough accident a lawyer would figure a way through that though.

[Weasel]

Well this turned into trucker thread, never have a problem with them until it's winter and they blast down the road causing whiteouts, that pisses me off. Just so you can make a few extra bucks they are willing to endanger everyone else on the road.

I just admit I'm and idiot right away, works well that way. But then most of the guys I work with admit to being idiots as well.

[WB9YZU]

Sure, Theres actually a couple of reasons for this.
The short answer is to get around slower trucks. If he waited until every four wheeler goes by, he would never get out from behind slower trucks so hes got to get out there in front of someone. Slowing people down is not his goal or a game truckers play, they do it for the same reason everyone does, to pass slower vehicles, thats all.

Heres the catch. Some trucks are governed, some arent. Governed trucks almost always top out under 70MPH, some as low as 63. So on the flat, youve got a governed truck doing 65 and a nongoverned truck doing 70 so the faster truck gets out there to pass the slower one. When they hit a hill, both trucks lose momentum and the faster truck slows and is no longer going faster than the governed truck and they get stuck side by side. The last thing you want to do at the bottom or on a hill, especially if you are loaded heavy and its a long hill, is get off the excelerator.

Now a question for you.
Why is it that I walk around and check my lights and turn signals before every trip but as soon as I get on the road, my turn signals apparently stop working. I know this happens because no one seems to see them.

Ah yes, the classic turtle drag race.

Don't even start with the behavior of "Professional" drivers VS "4 wheelers". I have seen enough bad driving on both parties.

The problem as I see it is that the responsibility increases with the weight of the vehicle and whether you are paid to drive that vehicle in a responsible manner, and I'm not seeing that. When one is paid as a Professional, I expect better performance and courtesy than the average commuter driver. Instead, what I hear on the CB and see on the road is discourtesy by heavies towards lesser sized vehicles and to a lesser extent, to each other. You can argue it, and bitch all you want, but if you get Paid to drive, you are a Professional and people expect you to act accordingly.

Your second hypothisis is flawed. I encounter the same problem.

[Ray H]

With most of the bigger companies they have sat computers in them that relay all info back to the company. They can tell what speed you are going, where you are at, what temp the truck is running and on and on and on.

I've heard that so far DOT hasn't been able to access Qual-com(the sat units most companies use) YET!

I'm sure if you were in a bad enough accident a lawyer would figure a way through that though.

We use Qualcomm. It does keep track of all that stuff. QualData keeps that info in a database for a period of time (I dont know how long). It can be accessed for use in accident investigation and to either defend or prosecute a citation. If theres an accident, one of the first things my company does is call Qualcomm and have them save that period of time in a seperate database. I dont think the DOT or any gov agency can access it without a warrant though.

[DrMoab]

Well this turned into trucker thread, never have a problem with them until it's winter and they blast down the road causing whiteouts, that pisses me off. Just so you can make a few extra bucks they are willing to endanger everyone else on the road.
If you can't keep up or drive as fast....stay off the road. :D

Seriously though on the freeway things are fairgame but on two lane roads I will always slow down to oncomming traffic if I know I am going to cause them to go blind.

However if they are going the same direction I am and they are driving too slow...all bets are off.

Like I said...can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

[DrMoab]

The biggest problem facing the trucking industry right now is the severe shortage of drivers. Companies can not keep good drivers on staff so they have to hire right out of "trucking schools" or they have schools of their own. These schools try to pump drivers through as fast as they can without giving them the proper training.

A few weeks ago I was running across Wy in a pretty bad storm. There was a young girl in the truck stop who was scared to death. She said she wasn't going to drive anywhere till the storm was over. Come to find out she had been driving two weeks. That isn't enough time to subject a new driver to that.
Ah yes, the classic turtle drag race.

Don't even start with the behavior of "Professional" drivers VS "4 wheelers". I have seen enough bad driving on both parties.

The problem as I see it is that the responsibility increases with the weight of the vehicle and whether you are paid to drive that vehicle in a responsible manner, and I'm not seeing that. When one is paid as a Professional, I expect better performance and courtesy than the average commuter driver. Instead, what I hear on the CB and see on the road is discourtesy by heavies towards lesser sized vehicles and to a lesser extent, to each other. You can argue it, and bitch all you want, but if you get Paid to drive, you are a Professional and people expect you to act accordingly.

Your second hypothisis is flawed. I encounter the same problem.

[Weasel]

However if they are going the same direction I am and they are driving too slow...all bets are off.

Like I said...can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

When it's sheer ice and snow mix theres a limit on how fast you can go. If a groups going 55 and a truck comes through at 65-70 and whiteouts the entire groups thats being an ass.

[5-90]

Ah yes, the classic turtle drag race.

Don't even start with the behavior of "Professional" drivers VS "4 wheelers". I have seen enough bad driving on both parties.

The problem as I see it is that the responsibility increases with the weight of the vehicle and whether you are paid to drive that vehicle in a responsible manner, and I'm not seeing that. When one is paid as a Professional, I expect better performance and courtesy than the average commuter driver. Instead, what I hear on the CB and see on the road is discourtesy by heavies towards lesser sized vehicles and to a lesser extent, to each other. You can argue it, and bitch all you want, but if you get Paid to drive, you are a Professional and people expect you to act accordingly.

Your second hypothisis is flawed. I encounter the same problem.

It sounds like you're on the right track - but just to clarify (for those whose English has become corrupted by "common usage...")

"Professional" - someone who is paid to perform a particular task. Has nothing to do with skill level.

"Amateur" - someone who does a particular task for the enjoyment of it. Again, damn little to nothing to do with skill.

"Expert" and synonyms - someone who excels at a particular task. May be "professional" or "amateur."

"Novice" and synonyms - someone who lacks the skill to perform a task properly One more time - he may be paid to do it (badly) or he may not.

Just because someone is paid to drive doesn't mean they're any good at it. There are many individual cases where the amateur exceeds the professional in skill - and, quite often, by a wide margin!

Just doing my bit to forestall the death of English as a modern language - if we're all going to use the same words, let's all use them the same way. I blame journalism and marketing, myself...

[Ray H]

Ah yes, the classic turtle drag race.

Don't even start with the behavior of "Professional" drivers VS "4 wheelers". I have seen enough bad driving on both parties.

The problem as I see it is that the responsibility increases with the weight of the vehicle and whether you are paid to drive that vehicle in a responsible manner, and I'm not seeing that. When one is paid as a Professional, I expect better performance and courtesy than the average commuter driver. Instead, what I hear on the CB and see on the road is discourtesy by heavies towards lesser sized vehicles and to a lesser extent, to each other. You can argue it, and bitch all you want, but if you get Paid to drive, you are a Professional and people expect you to act accordingly.

Your second hypothisis is flawed. I encounter the same problem.

You seem to be asking me to "start", Guess what, Im not going to argue, I agree. The level of professionalism is not what it should be. At times, Im ashamed of it. The good news is that there are good, professional and safe truck drivers, you probably cross paths with hundreds of them a day and dont think anything about it, but if one of them does something unprofessional, we ALL get the "Dont even start" speech. Do me a favor, next time your on the road, try to count how many trucks DONT do anything unprofessional or discourtious, it will far outnumber the ones that do.
Heres something else to think about, truck drivers are pulled from the general population, the same as anyone. That means that theres too many people in general that lack courtesy, are childish, unprofessional, take risks with the lives of others. Training and experience can give you the knowledge to do the job but it wont make you courtious, thoughtful or professional, thats up to each person and some just dont have it, no matter what they do for a living.
As far as the CB goes, shut it off. I dont say that to to be smart but thats what most truck drivers do now. The only ones you here on the CB are the childish, attention starved babies. For every one of those you hear, there are ten truck drivers that have the CB shut off that you dont hear.

[dizzymac]

I work in a resort and deal with tourist all the time. I am thought to be an idiot all the time, for various reasons like: I AM the one that made their credit card come back declined, I AM the one that lost their $60 ski ticket, I AM the one that made them miss the shuttle bus, I AM the one that told them to drive to the local lounge and get hammered AND get a DUI for driving back to the resort, for I AM the one that didn't make sure they called a cab, so you can see I AM AN IDIOT....AND DAMN PROUD OF IT....lol

[Ray H]

The biggest problem facing the trucking industry right now is the severe shortage of drivers. Companies can not keep good drivers on staff so they have to hire right out of "trucking schools" or they have schools of their own. These schools try to pump drivers through as fast as they can without giving them the proper training.

A few weeks ago I was running across Wy in a pretty bad storm. There was a young girl in the truck stop who was scared to death. She said she wasn't going to drive anywhere till the storm was over. Come to find out she had been driving two weeks. That isn't enough time to subject a new driver to that.

Im not sure I can agree with you as far as the school thing. Schools can only tell you what to do, Its that way with any trade school. Its up to individual people to do their job right. I think its a people problem and not a school problem. I think people in general are the way they are. You can send a complete jackoff to the best school there is and when he graduates, he will still be a jackoff. I mean really, lets be honest, how much training does it really take to get somerone a CDL (because thats really all you have when you graduate)? Not much at all. Its what you do after you start driving that either makes you a good driver or not.
As far as the girl in the snow storm. Theres no way that you can count on a school to prepare people for that. Good for her. If she lacks the experience or isnt comfortable with the situation, its good that she knew that and did the smart thing by not endangering someone, herself or her equipment. I wish all truck drivers had the sense to know their limitations.

[Ray H]

Well this turned into trucker thread, never have a problem with them until it's winter and they blast down the road causing whiteouts, that pisses me off. Just so you can make a few extra bucks they are willing to endanger everyone else on the road.

.

I assume you're driving on the same roads they are, during the same storm, either going to work or coming home. What people will do for a couple bucks.

[Ray H]

I work in a resort and deal with tourist all the time. I am thought to be an idiot all the time, for various reasons like: I AM the one that made their credit card come back declined, I AM the one that lost their $60 ski ticket, I AM the one that made them miss the shuttle bus, I AM the one that told them to drive to the local lounge and get hammered AND get a DUI for driving back to the resort, for I AM the one that didn't make sure they called a cab, so you can see I AM AN IDIOT....AND DAMN PROUD OF IT....lol

Service jobs, truck drivers and cops. We cant win, We are all idiots.

[DrMoab]

Im not sure I can agree with you as far as the school thing. Schools can only tell you what to do, Its that way with any trade school. Its up to individual people to do their job right. I think its a people problem and not a school problem. I think people in general are the way they are. You can send a complete jackoff to the best school there is and when he graduates, he will still be a jackoff. I mean really, lets be honest, how much training does it really take to get somerone a CDL (because thats really all you have when you graduate)? Not much at all. Its what you do after you start driving that either makes you a good driver or not.
As far as the girl in the snow storm. Theres no way that you can count on a school to prepare people for that. Good for her. If she lacks the experience or isnt comfortable with the situation, its good that she knew that and did the smart thing by not endangering someone, herself or her equipment. I wish all truck drivers had the sense to know their limitations.
You are right but I went through a driving school when I got my CDL and thank god the company I went to work for put me through a bunch more training.

All I meant to say was the typical trucking school does not give a guy the skills he needs to drive a truck. Sure when he is doen he can shift, back up, turn his blinker on and maybe do a pre-trip but there is so much more that just can't be taught in a school. My beef is these schools are ramming through people as fast as they can and the trucking companies are just throwing them in trucks without any more training.

[89Daytona]

Now a question for you.
Why is it that I walk around and check my lights and turn signals before every trip but as soon as I get on the road, my turn signals apparently stop working. I know this happens because no one seems to see them.
It must be a flaw in the wiring. I have seen trucks driving with no rear lights on in snowstorms, the truck lights works fine but their trailer lights don't work at all.


Here is a pic of an accident caused by truckers (its more of the final clean up), there was a fed-ex double trailer truck that jack-knifed infront of this but I didn't get my camera until after it was cleaned up. It took atleast 5 hours for the entire scene to be cleared.

http://free.300zxclub.com/files/71/Cars/100_0108.JPG

[WB9YZU]

The biggest problem facing the trucking industry right now is the severe shortage of drivers. Companies can not keep good drivers on staff so they have to hire right out of "trucking schools" or they have schools of their own. These schools try to pump drivers through as fast as they can without giving them the proper training.


Good point, I have heard that before.

I have also heard that some LD drivers don't spend their time "resting" as per regs, but try and make up lost time durring those periods.

I think it would help if people were told what the signals that truck drivers use mean so as to avoid confusion. A common "language" so to speak would be a fine thing. For example: A driver gaining on you from the rear may flash his lights and means "get out of my way". According to the DOT books, when passing a vehicle, you are to flash your lights to alert the car you are overtaking that you are passing. When the lane ahead of you is clear, many people flash their lights alerting the driver who has passed, that the lane is clear to pull in to. Only the middle one is "officially" taught, the rest are stuff you learn.

What if it NOT ok to take the lane, and the driver is moving over anyway? What signal to use then? Most Heavies give me the same lane allowance they give themselves, but some cut it real short and you certainly can't argue with something more than 10 times your size, you just get out of it's way.

RayH: I listen to the CB for advisories about traffic. For that, most times it gives me early warning of dangers or stoppages ahead. I don't bother talking on it, it's not what it was 20 years back. When it get's stupid, I switch it off.

[DrMoab]

How do you know it was the truckers fault?

How do you know a car didn't cut him off causing him to jack knife?

Not saying it wasn't but I am so sick of people blaming the trucks when 99% of the time its some idiot in a car who actually caused something like that.

[WB9YZU]

You are right but I went through a driving school when I got my CDL and thank god the company I went to work for put me through a bunch more training.

All I meant to say was the typical trucking school does not give a guy the skills he needs to drive a truck. Sure when he is doen he can shift, back up, turn his blinker on and maybe do a pre-trip but there is so much more that just can't be taught in a school. My beef is these schools are ramming through people as fast as they can and the trucking companies are just throwing them in trucks without any more training.

I think the same thing can be said about regular class licensees. Heck back when I did drivers ed, we got some class instruction, watched some scarry movies, about 6 hours behind the wheel with and instructor and the rest of it was Mom and Dad's problem. If you leave the learning to the kids, they will and do pick up bad habits. Since the regular is the basis for all the other licenses, the bad habits are in from the start. I always though that the schools were there to "unteach" all the risky behavior.

[89Daytona]

How do you know it was the truckers fault?

How do you know a car didn't cut him off causing him to jack knife?
The news said so....

Even if a car cut him off and he jack knifed he was going to fast for the conditions (he was not able to control his vehicle), and its still his fault.

[Ray H]

Dr Moab,
You want to hear something really scary.
Ive really got no business talking bad about driving schools because Ive never been to one.
Im basically self trained. I went to school for almost a whole week, just long enough to pass the CDL test. It was kind of an odd situation.
I bid a shuttle driver/yard jockey job at my former employer. I spotted trailers for about four months before they got me into an excelerated course so I could get my CDL. I spent half my day going backwards and all day in tight quarters in our yard. By the time I got into the course, I could handle a tractor and trailer better than most of the trainers. I got my CDL and continued shuttling and spotting. The company restructured and I lost my job so I took my CDL on the road. When I got hired by my present employer, they had no idea how to treat my experience, so we agreed that I would take a check ride with one of the trainers to see where I was at as far as handling the truck and trailer, then they would decide how long I needed to go through their school. The trainer spent four days watching me drive, it was like a four day check ride, then we went over the qualcomm and paperwork and I was out on my own. My experience is unconventional but I would put my truck/trailer handling skills up against anyones. Of course that doesnt make me a good driver. What makes me, or anyone, a good driver is attitude. I always, ALWAYS, have in my mind how fast and easy a small mistake in an 80000lbs vehicle travelling 63MPH can take someones life. It is absolutely the most important thing to me that I be safe over and above everything. I know it sounds hokey and youve heard that a million times and everyone says it, but I made that agreement with myself when I started driving. When I start breaking that agreement, I'll hang it up because this job doesnt pay well enough for me to be dangerous, thuth is, I dont even like driving, but its what Ive got now so I deal with it.
Besides, I had one on one training with the best driver Ive ever met, my dad, who retired from Greyhound. Up until I was 14 or so, I spent every chance I got riding in buses watching every move he made.
So, for those who say bad schools make bad drivers, what does no school make?

[Ray H]

It must be a flaw in the wiring. I have seen trucks driving with no rear lights on in snowstorms, the truck lights works fine but their trailer lights don't work at all.



I know my lights work. I was trying to say that people ignore them. I flip a turn signal on and instead of people letting me over, they either dont believe me or dont care or maybe getting in front of me right then is more important than getting home at all.

As far as trucks involved in accidents. I dont think anyone can say that it doesnt happen. To be fair though, you should look at the percentage of accidents based on how many miles are traveled. Trucks have a much better accident record than autos do. Still not where it should be though. Look at this, how many times do you see a truck on truck accident? hardly ever compared to how many times you see a car on car or truck on car. Thats a hint to the problem there.

[5-90]

I think the same thing can be said about regular class licensees. Heck back when I did drivers ed, we got some class instruction, [B}watched some scarry movies[/B], about 6 hours behind the wheel with and instructor and the rest of it was Mom and Dad's problem. If you leave the learning to the kids, they will and do pick up bad habits. Since the regular is the basis for all the other licenses, the bad habits are in from the start. I always though that the schools were there to "unteach" all the risky behavior.

I think the ones we watched were called "Blood on the Pavement" and "Red Asphalt." Did a better job of scaring us than the instructors did.

Apparently, they don't show those movies anymore. When I was teaching my two to drive, I made sure to point out accidents when we drove by - stopping off-scene if we had to (rather than slowing down traffic.) They said they didn't see the movies in Driver's Ed (damn little "driving" and no "education,") so I thought that had to be made up for somehow.

I had a cop ask me why we stopped to see what was going on - I just pointed to them and said, "They're learning to drive." The cop usually just said "Oh" - and went back to what he was doing before. We didn't get out of the vehicle, and we didn't get in the way - but this was key in their education, I think.

[DrMoab]

The news said so....

Even if a car cut him off and he jack knifed he was going to fast for the conditions (he was not able to control his vehicle), and its still his fault.
So...if you are going say 45 in a 75 because conditions are bad and I swerve in front of you causing you to jam on your brakes and you lose control does that mean it's your fault? I mean you were going way slower then the speed limit and you were in total control until I swerved in front of you right?

How do you know he was going too fast for conditions? Did the news tell you that too?

I am starting to think you are exactly the type of guy Ray H was talking about at the first of this post.

No matter what we do out on the road its our fault.

Tell you what. I will be willing to bet you a thousand dollars right now that if you were to spend a week with me at work you would change your attitude totally.

[DrMoab]

I have also heard that some LD drivers don't spend their time "resting" as per regs, but try and make up lost time durring those periods.
The last poll I heard stated that about 77% of drivers cheat on a log book.

I cheat like hell. I am regulated to 70 hours in 8 days but I work closer to 100-120 hours in that time.

That being said the rules are rediculous. As it stands right now I can work 14 hours a day but I can only drive 11. Then I have to get into the sleeper for 10 full hours before I can drive again.

Tell me...Is there a single person here who sleeps 10 hours a night?!?!

[Ray H]

I am starting to think you are exactly the type of guy Ray H was talking about at the first of this post.

No matter what we do out on the road its our fault.

Tell you what. I will be willing to bet you a thousand dollars right now that if you were to spend a week with me at work you would change your attitude totally.

Most people want to have their cake and eat it to. They get mad when trucks drive fast, they get mad when they drive slow, they get mad when they drive in bad weather, they get mad when the store is out of milk or their package is delayed, This is why Im an idiot every day Im driving. because I cant seem to do anything right.

[Ray H]

The last poll I heard stated that about 77% of drivers cheat on a log book.

I cheat like hell. I am regulated to 70 hours in 8 days but I work closer to 100-120 hours in that time.

That being said the rules are rediculous. As it stands right now I can work 14 hours a day but I can only drive 11. Then I have to get into the sleeper for 10 full hours before I can drive again.

Tell me...Is there a single person here who sleeps 10 hours a night?!?!

Oh no ! HOS. Thats a whole can of worms.
Again, I think Im in the minority. I think they should be more strict requiring more time off. The reason is, Im sure you make a great living but have you ever figured out how much you make per hour? Its discusting. We have a driver shortage right now. I think that if drivers were limited to fewer hours, they would have be compensated better or the shortage would get out of hand. I would sooner drive 2000 miles per week and make $.60/mile then drive 3000 miles for $.40/mile. Of course, I drive local, that would kill long haul guys.

[53guy]

I can definately say that I probably annoy a good percentage of truck drivers out there. If I can find a truck that goes about 70 or 75, I stick with them. Truck drivers are great (for the most part) to follow. They try to go the same speed always, try to stay in the same lane if possible, they're heavy as hell, so they break up ice and packed snow so if you stay behind them, you're less likely to have an accident because you're on icy crap, they make a great drafting platform for the xj as well (a good 4-5mpg if you can get a trucker to let you stay close enough....at least in my jeep). I can't say enough good things about truckers.


I'm called an idiot plenty during the day. I'm 22 and have about 25 people that I'm "boss" of. Plenty of them think I'm an idiot because of the way I handle business and there are plenty of other people not directly under me that tell me I'm and idiot. Not that I care really, but I get the job done safely and correctly, which is all that matters to me.

[53guy]

The news said so....

Even if a car cut him off and he jack knifed he was going to fast for the conditions (he was not able to control his vehicle), and its still his fault.


Have you ever driven a vehicle with three piviot points, two of them behind you?? It's not always easy to control the damn thing even in good conditons.

[Ray H]

I can definately say that I probably annoy a good percentage of truck drivers out there. If I can find a truck that goes about 70 or 75, I stick with them. Truck drivers are great (for the most part) to follow. They try to go the same speed always, try to stay in the same lane if possible, they're heavy as hell, so they break up ice and packed snow so if you stay behind them, you're less likely to have an accident because you're on icy crap, they make a great drafting platform for the xj as well (a good 4-5mpg if you can get a trucker to let you stay close enough....at least in my jeep). I can't say enough good things about truckers.


.

Do you like surprises? I hope so because when you're traveling at 70MPH right behind a truck, everything that happens to you is a surprise.
Suprise, your dead. At least you were getting good gas mileage when you died, but all that gas just made a bigger wet spot on the interstate.
Heres your sign.

[DrMoab]

Do you like surprises? I hope so because when you're traveling at 70MPH right behind a truck, everything that happens to you is a surprise.
Suprise, your dead. At least you were getting good gas mileage when you died, but all that gas just made a bigger wet spot on the interstate.
Heres your sign.
I don't mind it when people follow me too close for that exact reason. It sure as hell isn't going to hurt me. :D

[53guy]

You don't have to be that close....I'm talking at least three car lengths I can get better mileage. I'm not a fan of up the ass driving, but staying behind you guys really helps a lot. Just have to pay closer attention.


Hahahaha, just realized...I was called an idiot twice in the thread on idiots. Sweetness.

[89Daytona]

I am starting to think you are exactly the type of guy Ray H was talking about at the first of this post.

No matter what we do out on the road its our fault.

Tell you what. I will be willing to bet you a thousand dollars right now that if you were to spend a week with me at work you would change your attitude totally.
Thats right its all your fault, no matter what. All those washboard roads are your fault. All pot holes are your fault. You are to blame for global warming. The high price of diesel fuel is your fault. [/sarcasm]


My dad has a CDL and I have friends who drive trucks for a living. Spending a week at work with you wouldn't change my attitude one bit.

[Ray H]

You don't have to be that close....I'm talking at least three car lengths I can get better mileage. I'm not a fan of up the ass driving, but staying behind you guys really helps a lot. Just have to pay closer attention.


Hahahaha, just realized...I was called an idiot twice in the thread on idiots. Sweetness.

You pay closer attention to what? The rear of a trailer or what youve already passed. Your not a fan of it, but its worth it to save a few dollars.
For anyone watching this thread and wondering why truck drivers feel the way they do about four wheelers, wonder no longer, heres your answer.
I make it a priority to stay away from other drivers on the road. If I cant do that, I make sure im in a position to see them and that they can see me. You are doing exactly the opposite, hanging close to me in my blind spot.

[5-90]

Exactly.

I might use you guys to help spot road conditions (you have rather farther visibility than I do, and pay closer attention to the cops,) but I'm not going to sit where you can't see me.

It's entirely possible for us "four-wheelers" to get along with the big guys, but it takes a little trading off - on both sides.

Then again, I've known a few truck drivers myself, and I've had to horse around some large vehicles personally - with and without heavy trailers. Driving a 12,000# work truck with an 18,000# load on a trailer tends to make one appreciate the plight of the large vehicle driver all the more - especially when doing it during Ghey Area commute hours...

[Ray H]

Thats right its all your fault, no matter what. All those washboard roads are your fault. All pot holes are your fault. You are to blame for global warming. The high price of diesel fuel is your fault. [/sarcasm]


My dad has a CDL and I have friends who drive trucks for a living. Spending a week at work with you wouldn't change my attitude one bit.

In your first post you asked why trucks go so slow and block traffic, then your next post you posted a picture and said the truck was going too fast. You seem to be searching for any argument you can rope someone into.

[Ray H]

Exactly.

I might use you guys to help spot road conditions (you have rather farther visibility than I do, and pay closer attention to the cops,) but I'm not going to sit where you can't see me.

It's entirely possible for us "four-wheelers" to get along with the big guys, but it takes a little trading off - on both sides.

Then again, I've known a few truck drivers myself, and I've had to horse around some large vehicles personally - with and without heavy trailers. Driving a 12,000# work truck with an 18,000# load on a trailer tends to make one appreciate the plight of the large vehicle driver all the more - especially when doing it during Ghey Area commute hours...

Vision is a truck drivers only defense against having an accdent. Tucks are big, heavy, lumbering beasts that can just barely turn, stop and accelerate to avoid accidents. Accidents happen much faster than a truck can avoid them. Our only hope is to watch whats happening around us. Its called situational awareness. When people "hide" from us by hanging out in our blind spots, we lose the only advantage we have, our vision.

[5-90]

Vision is a truck drivers only defense against having an accdent. Tucks are big, heavy, lumbering beasts that can just barely turn, stop and accelerate to avoid accidents. Accidents happen much faster than a truck can avoid them. Our only hope is to watch whats happening around us. Its called situational awareness. When people "hide" from us by hanging out in our blind spots, we lose the only advantage we have, our vision.

Precisely - which is why I don't draft or tailgate you guys. I don't have to be in your blind spot to take advantage of the fact that you can see farther than I can. And, since you are so damn big (a good deal larger than anything I drive on a regular basis) and I vastly prefer being alive to being dead (having done both,) I can say that I deal rather carefully with you guys.

And, oddly enough, if I spot some "heavy driver" that I think is incompetent in whatever way, I'll try to keep him well out in front of me - so I can watch what he's doing, and I won't get caught up if I have to hit the brakes and he's behind me.
Until I can get past him and put him well behind me, that is... But I don't want an incompetent heavy driver right behind me. Ever hear the words "boxcar effect?" Brakes on early XJs may suck, but they're still going to stop miles faster than a 50,000# tractor/trailer combo...

[89Daytona]

In your first post you asked why trucks go so slow and block traffic, then your next post you posted a picture and said the truck was going too fast. You seem to be searching for any argument you can rope someone into.
Or maybe you are reading to far into my posts.

I was just stating observations that can be made from certain incidents, I never said all truckers do either/both of those.

[Beej]

Yes.

[90XJay]

I work in retail (Best Buy) in the warehouse.. I am always the idiot. :/ But I can vouch for the big truck guys on how 4wheelers an be a pain. my dad had a Ford L8000 plow truck with a 14' blade, sander (4x4 too :D) and we were driving doing like 35ish with light snow on the ground and some jackass pulled out from the right side of the road to go the other way about 2-3 car lengths infront of us.. All my dad could do was wail on the horn and tap the brakes. Missed the idiot by inches. Aparently a huge bright yellow truck with a 14' blade (bright yellow too) becomes invisible in snow. Best part is there wasn't any cars behind us... guess the ass couldn't wait. Ever since i've riden with my dad in his somewhat large trucks (dumps, plows, moving vans, dumps pulling trailers etc) I got the common sense to give big trucks their space. I know they need room to manuever and to brake. When it comes down to it they WILL WIN. So don't ride their asses and cut em off and everyone can drive happy.

[Weasel]

I assume you're driving on the same roads they are, during the same storm, either going to work or coming home. What people will do for a couple bucks.

I'm not endanger anyone I pass. I have no other beefs with trucks then this one and I drive with trucks all the time. And no most of the time I'm heading home to visit family.

[Darky]

I work in retail (Best Buy) in the warehouse.. I am always the idiot. :/ But I can vouch for the big truck guys on how 4wheelers an be a pain. my dad had a Ford L8000 plow truck with a 14' blade, sander (4x4 too :D) and we were driving doing like 35ish with light snow on the ground and some jackass pulled out from the right side of the road to go the other way about 2-3 car lengths infront of us.. All my dad could do was wail on the horn and tap the brakes. Missed the idiot by inches. Aparently a huge bright yellow truck with a 14' blade (bright yellow too) becomes invisible in snow. Best part is there wasn't any cars behind us... guess the ass couldn't wait. Ever since i've riden with my dad in his somewhat large trucks (dumps, plows, moving vans, dumps pulling trailers etc) I got the common sense to give big trucks their space. I know they need room to manuever and to brake. When it comes down to it they WILL WIN. So don't ride their asses and cut em off and everyone can drive happy.
People do that to me in my XJ and it pisses me off. I have the braking power to stop of course, but it still takes more gas to reaccelerate when the person finally decides to find the gas pedal...

[red91]

Yes.

This is the most honest answer in the whole thread.

At least it has served to determine who to, and who not to, stay away from.

[mackamitsu]

The news said so....

Even if a car cut him off and he jack knifed he was going to fast for the conditions (he was not able to control his vehicle), and its still his fault.

I am a driver and I drive a set of SuperB's (that's 2 trailers for all you non truckers) they are harder to control in a emergency stop situation, and believe me, there are a lot of idiots who cut me off. If the driver of the car cuts you off at 65 mph and gives you maybe 15 feet of warning (about 1/8 of a second) your screwed. By the time you react, your airbrakes run to full pressure, you've travelled over 100 feet. Plus when you are pulling 125,000 pounds of cargo stopping on a dime is not going to happen. That load your puliing, suddenly becomes a load pushing you, plus when you factor in that brakes don't apply the same pressure, road conditions, weather conditions, if there is a vehicle right beside the driver, you will understand that although the law sees it as his fault for not going off the road and dieing because of some moron, doesn't mean it is his fault. I honestly don't think you've ever been inside a rig to see what we deal with on a day to day basis. I am pretty sure you'd take back what you say about controlling a rig, if you had to drive it. Oh and just because the news says it is so, you don't always think they are right. Until he goes to court and explains the situation, and backs it up with data (but odds are the judge is just as ignorant as the average joe about all these factors) and proof he did everything right, you just don't know. Another thing we drivers have to contend with is self righteous cops who will drop a ticket in our hands because they think we are a menace to society. We also have to deal with punk @ss kids who pull out and pass us, then slam on the brakes to see us panic stop, or to hear the airhorns, as we blast them a warning. Do the police do anything about them? Nope never seen it once in my 10 years of driving professionally. As for the snow flying around, we really can't help that, we move a hell of a lot more air then you do in your little car. So all that being said, and the rant button is now off....Have a nice day.

[MoparRobbie]

Years ago, I worked Tier I technical support for a national ISP. One of my favourite things to do: tell a customer I was putting them on hold when I was really putting them on mute - this way, I could hear everything they had to say about me, and adjust my helpfulness levels accordingly :)

Join The Club! Lemme guess? TWC RoadRunner Tier 1? Im up at Tier 2 in Ontario, Im acctually here right now.