Truck Driving Jobs

milby · #1 07-25-2007, 02:10 AM

What is it like driving a truck in cities? The biggest city I have ever driven in is Kansas City and that is in a car. Is learning to drive in the city the hardest thing for new unexperienced drivers to do?

knightwolf71477 · #2 07-25-2007, 03:31 AM

IMHO I do not think that driving in the city is the hardest thing for rookies. Depending on the time of day you are going into a city you will be in the low side of the tranny anyway. Just remember to keep your space and you will be fine.

Now the hardest thing I think rookies do come up against would be the winter driving and going though the mountains. But in these cases or any case for that matter is to remember to take your time. This is not NASCAR, you do not have to compete with the guys that have been out here for a long time. You have nothing to prove to anyone.

If you remember one thing after all your training is done you will be fine. There is no load out here worth killing yourself or anyone else for.

Uturn2001 · #3 07-25-2007, 05:22 AM

Learning how to say "NO" to your dispatcher is the hardest thing newbies have to learn how to do.

As far as city driving goes it can be very nerve racking. Lanes are often narrower than on the open road, more people crammed into less square miles, lane restrictions, more on and off ramps to deal with, and so on and so forth.

Driving in the big cities requires you to:

Plan your route carefully. Know what roads you need to take and do not think it is foolish to write your route down. If you are simply going through a city, it is also a good idea to write down a 2nd or even 3rd alternative route.

If you are going through a city, if at all possible try to either bypass it all together or plan your trip to avoid the busiest times of day (generally 7-9 am and 3-7 pm)

Pay attention. This is the number one thing. Pay attention to everything that is going on around your truck and to all of the road signs. Avoid focusing on any one thing in particular or you will end up missing the forest due to a single tree.

nightbright1 · #4 07-25-2007, 08:13 AM

yep

Doghouse · #5 07-25-2007, 02:18 PM

Drive it slow and easy,..don't let other drivers intimidate you. Besides,......your bigger and the biggest vehicle always wins :wink:

Blind Driver · #6 07-25-2007, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doghouse

Drive it slow and easy,..don't let other drivers intimidate you. Besides,......your bigger and the biggest vehicle always wins :wink:

Good luck driving like that :roll:

Jimbpard · #7 07-25-2007, 07:47 PM

I drive in inner-city Pittsburgh pretty much everyday. I dont prefer it, but it's not as bad as you'd think really. Just make sure you got good directions, pay attention to your signs, visualize how your going to make your turns, dont pay ANY attention to lunatics around you.

I've made many deliveries to D.C. also. Actually a couple streets infront of the white house. Same deal. Not really that bad. Just do what you need to do.

Snowman7 · #8 07-25-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doghouse

Drive it slow and easy,..don't let other drivers intimidate you. Besides,......your bigger and the biggest vehicle always wins :wink:

I agee. You cant focus on the traffic and road signs ahead if you're worried about the impatient guy in your mirror. Stay calm and study what's in front of you. They will just have to wait. Missing your turn can be a real hassle. If you have too then turn on your 4 ways and slow or stop to get your bearings. Keep your CB just high enough to hear, sometimes other truckers from the area will call out if they think you're lost and they will help direct you.

Jumbo · #9 07-25-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knightwolf71477

IMHO I do not think that driving in the city is the hardest thing for rookies. Depending on the time of day you are going into a city you will be in the low side of the tranny anyway. Just remember to keep your space and you will be fine.

Now the hardest thing I think rookies do come up against would be the winter driving and going though the mountains. But in these cases or any case for that matter is to remember to take your time. This is not NASCAR, you do not have to compete with the guys that have been out here for a long time. You have nothing to prove to anyone.

If you remember one thing after all your training is done you will be fine. There is no load out here worth killing yourself or anyone else for.

Keeping you space is tough to do in the city. As soon as you backoff from the car in front of you to give yourself so room some other a$$hole will dive into the space you just created. Just try to do your best.

Ian Williams · #10 07-26-2007, 05:33 AM

City driving requires a lot of patience and not caring that you are making everyone behind you wait.

Go slow and steady, don't be afraid to use your horn & 4-way flashers when backing or maneuvering.

Assume all the 4wheelers around you are going to be doing boneheaded stupid moves.

Don't be afraid to use two lanes or roll 50-75 yrs in a bike lane to avoid curbing you wheels on a right turn.

Easy does it.