I had the same problem until I started thinking in terms of patterns. It's pretty easy to tell whether my stick is forward or back - or whether it's at the extreme right or left.

If it's forward, I downshift by keeping it in the same groove and pushing it back. If it's back, I have to pull it toward me and move it over a slot.

I can feel when it's at the limit, so I hit the button accordingly.

This helped, but what really helped was when I started using my fingertips as opposed to grabbing it like a baseball bat and yanking it around.

I don't keep track of what gear number I'm in, but where I'm at in the pattern. I've finally realized that my RPMs need to drop a bit more when I downshift from 6th to 5th (my second downshift. I have an autoshift 9-10).

 

All the posts about Jake Brake and Cruise Control got me wondering so I did what any rookie should do, I actually opened the manual!!

Straight from the manual:

Jacobs Engine Brake Operation

The Jacobs Engine Brake depends on the free flow of engine oil for operation, so be sure to let the engine reach full operating temperature before switching on the engine brake. Normally, the engine brake is then left in the “On” position whenever you are driving. The exception is when roads are slippery due to bad weather conditions. Refer to the section entitled “Slippery Pavement” for specific operating instructions.

Cruise Control
There are several types of cruise control systems, and operation of the
Jacobs Engine Brake in vehicles equipped with cruise control will depend
on the engine and options provided by the vehicle manufacturer. Some
cruise controls are specifically designed to operate in conjunction with the
Jacobs Engine Brake. It may be possible to program activation of the
engine brake during cruise control operation. When enabled, the system
activates the engine brake when the vehicle exceeds the cruise control
set speed. The engine brake will operate until the vehicle has slowed to
1/2 mph above cruise control set speed. Refer to the vehicle operator’s
manual for additional information.


NOW THE INTERESTING PART I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT SHIFTING WITH A JAKE

While shifting gears, the engine brake is automatically deactivated when you depress the clutch pedal. If the engine brake is on, shifting without using the clutch or double-clutching (to use the engine brake to reduce engine rpm--also known as “Jake Shifting”) is strongly discouraged. Serious powertrain damage or engine stalling/loss of vehicle control
can result.


AND ABOUT SHUTTING DOWN THE ENGINE AND STARTING WITH A JAKE

Be sure to turn off the engine brake dashboard switch when you shut the engine down. This will prevent the switch from being in the “on” position at engine cold start.

 

Can anybody here recommend a truck company where they REALLY UNDERSTAND how important additional training is? Whether or not you learn the good stuff is left up to chance too often! It's Russian Roulette or luck of the draw as to what trainer you happen to get. Is there a truck company that approaches all this better? I think this problem is why there are so many complaints on this board about drivers who pull incredibly unsafe moves out there on the road.

Now I know it's not only rookies who hit low-hanging power lines and tree branches. Maybe that happens when a driver is lost off the highway, and trying to see the street signs.

But I think too many drivers are fired for accidents they just were never trained properly to avoid.

My other beef is about these VIDEO TRAINING programs. Watch 12 videos, answer the idiotic interactive questions on the computer, and bingo you're an instant expert with VERIFIABLE updated skills for DOT. And those records are used for you, or against you, in court - if, God forbid, there's a crash.

GIVE ME A BREAK. That's complete bilge, and the "safety departments" at the truck companies know it as well as we do.

 

My list of mistakes rookies fresh out of truck driving school makes

10) Starting out pulling flatbeds

9) Thinking they know everything about everything with going through a three week school

8) Driving way too fast for the weather condictions. Ive seen alot of busted up trucks in the past two weeks from my trip out to colorado and down to New Mexico

7) Being afraid to ask for help. Hmm this could be number 1.

6) Not getting out and checking what they are getting into. Always before pulling into an unfamiliar loading area get out of the truck, go and look at the where they want you to back into and if you are not sure how drivers get in there ask the dock workers they will normally have a good idea whats the best way to back into.

5) Driving way too fast in truck stops

4) Talking on the cb acting like Billy Big Rigger. I have been driving almost 3 years and I dont even have my cb hooked up :lol: and I dont even miss it

3) Not checking out what the recruiters are telling you to see if it is true or untrue. Heck anyone who drives a truck normally lives within a decent driving distance of a truck stop.

2) Being pushed into a lease purchase plan where you WILL NEVER own the truck. Good example CR England. I am a lease purchase operator, no i dont spend all my money on chicken lights and chrome becuase that wont make me money so I dont need it. I also know exactly when my truck will be mine and the final balloon payment what that will be

1) Not realizing that everyone is still a rookie and the day you think you know everything something bad is going to happen. My grandfather still considers himself a rookie with 60 years experience. Also remember try to learn something new every day :lol:

 

4) Talking on the cb acting like Billy Big Rigger. I have been driving almost 3 years and I dont even have my cb hooked up and I dont even miss it

Amen +1.
Its nothing but a dummy box.

 

Running with the fog lights on, I hate when people do that, and they should teach these guys not to do it, they are blinding

Sure they are great when you are running up here in northern Ontario at night but they are not meant to be used all the time

 

BUT, if they were not meant to be used all the time would there not be a law that said so? I agree with you 100%, the driving lights should only be allowed to be used with no on-coming traffic. Unfortunately (In Texas) the law only says that the high beams must be dimmed when approaching traffic. I made a complaint one time to a DPS officer that I saw about a guy that had tailgated me for almost an hour with his driving lights on and was informed that it was legal to run them as long as the high beams were not on. Does not make a bit of sense to me!!!

 

I saw a great Rookie mistake Thursday in Baytown TX.....OTR driver making a right turn at an intersection where he was turning into a 3-lane one-way....turned short and put his trailer into a 5' deep ditch..I was across the medium and could not understand what kept him from flipping.

Yesterday driving by there..saw what I missed....His trailer hooked a powerpole on the way into the ditch...and that was what kept him from flipping. :shock:

:dung: :lol:

 

Guilty of number 10 on your list I guess, although I disagree. It depends on 2 factors to me, the person and the company. You have to have some mechanical sense about you and a company with a strong training program before they put you behind the wheel. Not like heres your truck and just watch other drivers to learn securement, and yes that happens. Granted, I havent done this gig long, but I do feel that I am properly trained, and if I have a question about something, there is someone at Maverick 24 hrs a day if I need them. I started with them in October and didnt get my own truck until jan. 3rd. You say number 10 mistake, I say, well not across the boards. If you have no mechanical dealings or never had self initiative in your life, yes, its a huge mistake. If you think its just too difficult to learn driving and securement at the same time, then youre right, it isnt for YOU.

 

Taking a shower, and shaving every day. Brushing your teeth on a regular basis, wearing clean clothes, and being caught behind the chicken house with a stick of deodorant in your dop kit or toiletries bag; for that matter, even being in possession of a dop kit or toiletry bag!!

Those are dead give-away sign that you are a rookie.