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{"text":"It never ceases to amaze me how many drivers I see that can't back, can't turn without swinging really wide or running over the curb, and take no pride in the presentation of their truck.\n\nAnd still have the gall to call me a wheel holder.\n\nLet me tell you, if you think having a shifter on the floor and a clutch makes you a \"real trucker\", I have some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you, cheap.\n\nI'm going to post a letter I wrote to my company.\n\nMy wife bought me a t-shirt that says it is easy to find someone to drive a truck but it's hard to find a truck driver. That's really had me thinking a lot lately. And there really is a big difference between the two.\n\nMost companies just want someone to drive a truck. What that person does is simple, they drive a truck. On the other hand a truck driver is a professional in all senses of the word.\n\nA truck driver does proper pre-trip and post-trip inspections. \n\nA truck driver pre-trips every trailer they pick up. Even if they are only taking it 10 miles to another customer to drop, and either has defects repaired or sends in the proper macro for the trailer to be repaired as soon as possible, instead of passing off this responsibility to the next driver.\n\nThe truck driver obeys the speed limit, all other traffic laws, and does so even when no one else does. Except in those situations where the general flow of traffic would make going the speed limit more dangerous for both the truck driver and those around them.\n\nA truck driver inspects his load, when applicable, to ensure that it's properly loaded and secured before sealing the trailer.\n\nA truck driver checks his lights, tires, hood latches, fifth wheel pin, and trailer connections each time he stops, whether for a break or for fuel.\n\nA truck driver is courteous to other drivers even when they are not courteous to him. He does not yell obscenities or throw hand signals.\n\nA truck driver is always aware of his Lane position.\n\nA truck driver understands his responsibilities, for himself, to his company, to customers, and to pedestrians and other drivers.\n\nA truck driver plans his trip properly. While driving more miles per day is more profitable for him, having an hours of service violation is not. Hoping that one place you wanted to park at still have a spot for you at 10 p.m., is not good trip planning.\n\nA truck driver keeps himself and his truck clean. He does not wear flip-flops, tank tops, or carry his cell phone into a customer's location.\n\nWhen driving, a truck driver is constantly thinking, what is the worst thing that could happen right now? And also thinks about what you do should the worst happen.\n\nIn short, a truck driver is a truck commander. Responsible, respectful, presentable, knowledgeable, and dependable.\n\nPerhaps I'm not telling you anything you haven't already thought about yourself. But I thought a lot about it, and I have to share it.\n\nThese are principles that I teach to each of my trainees. I fervently hope that all other trainers are doing the same. \n\nSure, when I got to the end of the list, I realized I had some work to do too. But as I always say, every day should be a learning experience, when you stop learning, because you think you know it all, it's time to hang up the keys.\n\nBecause tomorrow will probably be the day you kill someone.","videos":"[]","link":"{}","pics":"[]","canComment":true} |
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