Advice
 

As I may soon find myself in the biz I am looking for some advice, specifically what can I do in my first 2-3 weeks with the trainer, and afterwards, to be a good employee?

I've already read the sticky 'advice for newbies' :)

Thanks!
Jen

Pay attention and learn all you can, think, think,THINK before you do something. If it dosn't seem right then it probably isn't.Thats all today grasshopper.

Take your time and watch your trainer. You should learn a lot from just observing him/her. As far as being a good employee is concerned. Plan ahead. Make sure you allow enough time to make your pickups and deliveries on time. Take care of your assigned equipment. Not only will it make you feel better as a driver to have a well maintained truck, it will also go a long way with your company. Most everything you need to know you will learn by doing. It takes time to become a good driver. Make sure to do your daily pre trips. It could save you a ticket and might prevent a breakdown. And leave pets at home.

Don't pretend to be something you aren't. Listen more than you talk. Regard the things your trainer says respectfully as only one source of information, not the Gospel.

Way too many errors made in teaching laws, regulations, company policies, mechanical functioning and such.

For yourself, moving forward, see it in writing, from legitimate sources. Talk is cheap.

It is too easy to get a training job in this industry and folks quickly like the sound of their own half truths, since who would be so foolish to correct them?

So, don't go telling the trainer, just shut up, get the job, fact check everything and stay out of trouble on your own.

You can pretty much print this one out, and carry it in a notebook.

Eyes and ears open. Listen with an open mind, but back check everything you are told....especially if it comes from someone claiming to be an "authority" on subjects.

You're going to see many many many different operating methods. Get through training, using "Best Practices".........and like others have already said......go slow......stop if you're not sure of something, and ask a question. The only "stupid" question will be the one you don't ask. When you get frustrated, park and walk it off. Don't drive when you are "cross-eyed mad".

Possible problems arise in these cases: 1) you drive and you hit someone; 2) you drive and someone hits you; 3) you're parked in a bad spot and a driver backing next or parallel to you hits you.

Therefore, I'd recommend:

1) stay within 5 miles of the speed limit
2) do not drive in the curb lane in a big city
3) keep your distance from the vehicle in the front so that you are always confident you can stop; do not drive in a 'pack'
4) change lanes only if you have too (each time you change a lane you increase a chance of collision with another vehicle)
5) always be aware of what your trailer tandems are doing
6) be especially careful when backing up and watch all parts of your truck, including the front
7) when parking at a truck stop, choose a spot far away from the restaurant where most traffic occurs
8) do observe recommended speed signs on highway ramps and curves; they are there because someone screwed up and is now either dead or injured
9) reduce speed in areas with frequent animal crossings
10) reduce speed in poor highway conditions (rain, ice, snow)

Last but not least, if you want to be a good employee there's really only two things your employer cares about: 1) ontime delivery without damage to the cargo and/or vehicle; 2) HOW MUCH FUEL DID YOU BURN

Slowing down and planning your deliveries well ahead will make you a star at your company.

Good luck.

Take careful notice that he didn't mention obeying the law at all in this statement. It is absolutely only your responsibility to obey the law. Do not expect that the runs they assign you can all be done legally. A portion of them won't be able to be done legally. It's going to be your job to tell your dispatcher when you can't do the run legally.

Keep in mind, as a beginner, your planner and your dispatcher don't care about the law. It's not their job. Their job is to move freight. Nothing more.

Your job is to move freight and obey the law. You're going to have an ongoing conversation with your dispatcher about why you can't legally do what they're asking.

State your case.

Don't argue.

*Be friendly.*

*Stand your ground.*

These last 2, "Be friendly" and "Stand your ground", will get you a long way in this business or any other.

I detest drivers like you and your suggestions Tracer. You're the ones that fug up traffic flow in major metropolitan areas. What's wrong with the suggestion of keeping to the right unless you are passing.

If you like slowing and stopping continually, then by all means, stay in the right hand lane.

However.....MOST accidents involving trucks, occur in the right hand lane, whether it is on the freeway while transiting a metropolitan area, or traveling on a surface street. On multi-lane surfaces, it is best to stay towards the center, unless you need to be in the right hand lane for exiting, or turning. Years ago, it was recommended that trucks stay in the right lane...yes...but once people started looking at the statistics....that changed.

Staying to the left of turning traffic on city streets, as well as exiting and merging traffic on the freeways..... allows you to keep moving and reduces the likelihood of having an accident.

And it slows down all the other traffic flow as the steering wheel holders/meat in the seat types get nervous and slow down. And again, what's wrong with the policy that unless you are passing you keep to the right.