I have my own story to tell for anyone willing to listen. It pertains greatly to the subject matter presented. I had a bad attitude with the last company I worked for and it nearly cost me my career. I came out of school last April eager to learn. I joined up with a small flatbed company out of TN. They had awesome training, they gave you three months training before turning you loose on your own. I paid attention to every detail of that job and had the intention of being as professional at the job as I could be. With that said, I had a rocky start. I tapped a trailer in the yard while doing backing maneuvers. I also tapped the front bumper on a tight job site. After those two incidents I was trying so damn hard to not mess up. I started doing much better and even got a few compliments. I went several months with no problems. I was making the best money I had ever made. I was feeling really confident....too confident. Last December I picked up a load of hay from Cokeville, WY. I made it down to Grand Island, NB and rolled the truck turning into I-80. I was going too fast for the onramp. I was going 18mph which might sound slow to newbies but you fellas that have been driving know how fast that can be. I should have been going 5-10mph with that top heavy load. Thankfully nobody got hurt and I came out of it with only a sore ass and bruised ego. The accident stayed off my record since there was no injuries and I was the only one involved. Unbelievablely only lost three bales out of 53 and the trailer was fine. The truck was obviously KIA however. I made it back to the yard and was fired due to the insurance co. cutting me loose. That was one of the worst days of my life and I figured my truck driving days were over before they really even began. I managed to get on with another smaller co. and I am still with them today. Needless to say I'm looking at things a lot differently now. I have changed the way I dress when I'm on the road and pay attention like I have never paid attention before. Moral of the story: just because you want to be a pro driver doesn't mean you're going to be one. Over confidence is just as bad as a lack of caring for your job. If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
I'm planning to migrate to Canada and become a truck driver. I'm a mechanic now and I know it will help me a lot. I LOVE DRIVING, and of course I have so much planning and hope, but your story made me to be less full of myself. Always, Always be careful. That's what I learnt from your comment. Thank you and I wish a safe and succesful carrier for you.
@@behroozkhaleghirad Thanks for that and good luck to you. Trucking has changed my life for the best despite the mistakes on my part. I love this job and hope to keep on trucking for years to come. I wish you the best in your career.
I always remind myself never to get over confident, even if I've done it a hundred times. Over confidence will bite you. It makes you complacent, not as careful as you should be.
Well I did it. After 38 in the trucking industry I finally went out on my own. I started my own company and I just took delivery of my T680. Wish me luck
Millions of "licensed" drivers. Not so much experienced, courteous, smart drivers. Can't believe you called out the sweat pants, flipflop, dirty Volvo crowd! Lol
When you mentioned not being able to forget the sight of the drivers body I thought of my dad. He works for the railroad and still does, he’s got about 25 years with CSX. He told me that there’s a good chance you’ll hit a vehicle during your career and he’s hit 7. What stuck with me is when he said, “you can forget the destruction left behind, but you’ll never be able to unsee the moment just before Impact. As you hopelessly throw it into emergency, the person looks at you and you both make eye contact. You will never forget that face knowing that it was the last time anyone else saw it.”
It makes you wonder how the emergency services cope with what they have to see and the clean-up. In my part of the world (and I guess in every part of the world), there are so many near misses - hair's breath misses on the railway lines. There's also suicides. I honestly don't know how the train drivers cope because there is nothing they can do. They can't swerve out like other vehicles - though a truck with a high centre of gravity can't really swerve out too much - not to the degree of a car anyway. It also takes a train a long time to come to a complete stop, as your Dad will know. I am sorry that has had to deal with such tragic events.
That was a great talk, just to let you know when I’m driving your always playing in my mind and keeping me safe on the road. Just because you make videos doesn’t mean once there watched that the message ends. I’m constantly remembering what you said.
Drivers always remember the second the front wheels hit the street you are the captain of the ship. Anything that happens is under your command. If the weather is bad slow down, park it if it's that bad. Heavy traffic just relax sit there and ride with the traffic, your not going anywhere by driving on peoples rear bumper. If you pass this one theres another thousand right in front of them. Think about the sleepless nights you will have from seeing a child crying because you crashed and killed their mother or dad. No load is so important to do that to yourself or anyone else. Do your job and do it safely. If you stay at a company five years chances are you'll have at least 3 new dispatchers. They are expendable, you and th public are not.
Very good points there, much respect driver. In bumper to bumper traffic, I'll leave a good gap in front of me to let the on ramp get on, because that's where a lot of the congestion comes from, people not knowing how to merge with traffic. Slow roll. Highway going down to one lane? Same thing. Give that gap, because even though I'm slowly moving in the right lane and holding the guys up behind, at least I'm still moving. No one's life is worth the load, period. Safe travels driver and hope this finds everyone well, Alex
Thank you for this video, you mentioned in the story about the driver who died in the crash!! In ny years of trucking I have seen a number of horrific crashes; both when people were killed and where nobody was dead or injured just totaled trucks and spilled loads!! I still recommend your videos to ALL young and new drivers to the world of trucking!! I still learn from your videos also!! Thanks again for making this video!! Also, tell us more stories about the "Lettuce King"!! I find those stories very entertaining!!
Thank William. Glad you got some value from the videos. We're negotiating with the Lettuce King for a cameo appearance. He's hard at it on weekends, building a truck. It's a 1965 359 Pete, 3406B cat and 325" wheelbase.He'll need a football thing to turn that long thing, but by gosh it looks awesome.
Thanks for the video...im a new trucker..I’m actually still in my first year..I drive locally threw Chicago and safety is my number one priority..but you have a lot of super trucker out here that be in such a hurry on the road..they kind of make me nervous how fast they be going around me..but I jus make sure I keep myself safe and other around me..great video
Dave you are a true inspiration to all the truck drivers out there keep up these videos and I personally like to meet you in person and I would buy you your favorite glass of wine thank you so kindly for what you do for us truckers each day
Been driving 11 years. I do my best to drive cautiously like just coming off the truck with a trainer. It's easy to become over confident. Especially doing a dedicated run. Alot of times you can be to comfortable. With the assigned route. And then unexpected can happen.
I appreciate your accentuating low speeds. Just yesterday I was in a beet truck with poor brakes, misjudged the distance to the stop sign and rolled through it... Luckily this was in the open prairie with no cars around. But still, I should have slowed down sooner.
Damn, that was heavy. I can have a lead foot sometimes, but I never thought about how serious speed is in this industry. This is something I’ll have to remember.
Thanks Dave im 61 have been around this industry most of my life. Thanks for making these videos they are spot on every time and i enjoy ever one of them keep up the great work BOSS.....
I'm new to your videos and wow, I am really appreciating them. I feel this is the most important one I've seen so far. Attitude is everything, it applies to every aspect of life. And, as illustrated by your sad story, even how long we get to enjoy it. I don't get the fourteen people who clicked on the thumbs down ??? I would go as far as to say, life is attitude ! Dave, thanks as always for taking the time to share these videos with us.
I've been following you for at least three months I'm in my late 50s change careers and I will be honest with you you scared the hell out of me thanks you for keeping it real and honest
Came for some sage advice, which as usual was bang on, and a story. Today's tale wasn't funny but sure was important - don't drive beyond the capacity of your vehicle and your ability to control it. Applies to everything from a big rig to a crotch rocket. I can't imagine what it felt like for you to experience that horrific incident, but I do appreciate you sharing it.
I always enjoy watching your videos, when I have the time. They're very educational and safety related.That's extremely important to me, as I'm a former auto/truck repair technician, turned truck driver.Just like some other viewers, I heed your advice while I'm driving, as it just makes sense!The top trainer at work is much like you, and I paid close attention during every training session.Still have a long way to go before I'll ever be labeled a seasoned professional. At 4.5 months driving still has me as just a rookie, I will always seek the advice of professional drivers, such as yourself.Thank you for the videos, they're helping to keep me and other drivers safe!!!
The company I work for has a company policy and it's called "Captain of the ship" . That means if I call the office and say "Captain of the ship" it means that I say it's not safe out here and I'm shutting it down. I get a room for the night or whatever it takes. It doesn't matter what the load is that you are under. Your safety is the number 1 priority. The load will get there when it gets there. Stay safe
Take pride in your ride and keep a clean rig. You’ll never see me riding around in a dirty rig. I’ll wash that baby 3 times a week if I have to. I’ve never understood drivers wearing flip flops and basketball shorts. You’ll never catch me wearing that stuff. I’m always on the boots, blue jeans and a plaid shirt. As always love the stories Dave, good or bad situation. Every story of yours seems you can use it as a learning state, very professional!
That is an absolutely horrifying thing to experience. I have an uncle that used to be a truck driver. Damn good one too. He was heading east on interstate 40 in Oklahoma right around Henryetta when he had a minivan traveling the wrong direction towards him. The driver of the minivans intent was to commit suicide on my uncles truck. My uncle jerked the wheel to the right and rolled his Peterbilt. Thankfully my uncle survived. Him and his wife we’re pretty bruised up. This happened somewhere in the mid 90s. It is so important to have respect for these large trucks not only as the driver of the truck but the motorist around then.
I went through the same thing with my old company yrs ago and like your company, they didn't listen!. Good news is the driver lived but he also managed to shut down part of LA harbor.
I'm going for my AZ course with Tri-County Training here in Ontario in January and the story at the end of this video really teaches me to be humble and never get overconfident and speed or drive distracted especially come the day I am driving trucks come next year. I will make sure to be the best I can be, earn respect by doing my best, and make sure to drive safe and not push the boundaries. That story shows that pushing boundaries especially in a tractor trailer... can end up being catastrophic... it's just not worth pushing too hard. Thanks for all you do I love your videos!
Great video Dave. I'm sorry that you had to endure that tragedy. Anger and attitude do not mix well with trucking. Too many drivers, including myself, have allowed anger to place us in positions that could have ended just the way that Dave's story did. We've all seen the trucking movies where the guy is rough, tough, and can do anything. That looks good in theory, but it doesn't mix well with thousands of tons of freight. The professional part is very important, in my opinion. People look at us as if the only reason we drive a truck is because we're too stupid to do anything else. There is no need to perpetuate that image by acting, talking, and driving like you're an idiot. Just my opinion.
Thanks Mr. Dave. Really appreciated you making this videos. Thanks for passing on knowledge. I never drive rig before, but been driving MCI buses for almost 20 years, but those words you were saying were always ringing at the back of the head.
I try to always take it slow around curves for reasons just like that and every time I look in my mirros I always see a tailgater, usually a car sometimes a truck, I have never heard anyone get mad or act crazy, but in those 30 secs or less your career could be over just like that if you don't do below the suggested off ramp curve sped. Amen. Thanks for uploading Dave!
I learned that from running cement mixer truck.. They pumped this young man up wow your fast .Until he rolled over he left the name of the company printed in the assault. They told him we like you but the insurance companies won't let us keep you.
This is also my opinion on being a trucker too, attitude and making good decisions. It’ll suck at first but every thing sucks at first, but it is important not just to me but others. I want to succeed in this industry, because I love the job.
I ask drivers,if school bus backed onto 2 lane,what would you do? Young guys say"blow air horn," or "put flashers on". Old hands say"hit the ditch and try to ride it out. Wisdom,patience and morals.
My old boss always said you should be able to drive with a can of coke sitting on the dash. If the can slides sideways, your going too fast....this has always served me well...especially running trains with that extra weight.
I practice everything you just said.It has kept me working steady.Would love to meet you just to pick ur brain.You forgot more in trucking than I know.
I've got the worst attitude today and it's totally not helping. First dispatch messed up on my home time so I had to miss an event. Now I'm at a shipper on time and nothing's ready to go. So I closed up the van and headed out for coffee...got to wait until everyone starts screaming I guess.
I seen a driver yesterday that was dirty, very dirty. He had oil on his face, his shirt and shorts, which used to be white, were a strange yellow/orange color, and he looked like he hadn’t showered in a month. Don’t be that guy.
and thats why drivers under 30 should not drive tankers or anything thats unstable..because i admit when younger, i was a race driver in 40 ton trucks..not proud of it but i learned and I can only say this: "dont speed! you think you got experience? but you dont before you have lost control and know how, when and why and that usually requires you to survive and if you going too fast, you wont learn, you just dead!"
I trained people to become drivers for 4 years. They called it a school but it was just a company,pushing out product. I got people that should not have gotten their AZ .Not a lot of them most could do well but there was a few.I finally couldn't do it anymore and quit. Went back out on the road myself and still doing so. Sometimes I miss it and the students,like I said most were good. It was a job though and I had to make drivers. Even if the parts were defective I was to make the product and ship it out into the world. Sometimes I wonder where are they? I know one took down a big 4 legged hydro tower and left a small town in the dark just before Christmas some years back. I hope that was the worst of it.
Desperation for drivers is a two-edged sword; it's how I got my break, by being thrown in the deep-end. However, I'm a kind of autodidact so I'm always taking the time to learn the ropes for myself before I find myself in a bind; others not so much. At the company I was working at, we had a driver who proved to be impetuous and impatient, and having ridden in the cab with him once (which was enough for me) I told my boss to get rid of him before he causes a load of grief. I said, advertise and interview some new candidates before you're desperate, so you can pick and choose rather than take any mirror-fogger. Did he listen do me? Nope. In the end, this driver ended up taking a nap on the job (he apparently wasn't feeling well, but didn't put his hand up and admit it) and drove the truck off the highway, wiping out a freeway exit sign and sending it into a cable barrier (lucky for him, given the 8m drop on the other side if it). Truck was out of action for 8 weeks for repairs. Needless to say, he was fired immediately. I had to pick up the slack for about two months before they found someone to replace him. Arrogant, impetuous Dunning-Kruger types really grind my gears. You can always learn new tricks and hone your skills. Attitude is almost everything.
ATM I am working on my CDL i got all of my endorsements except passenger. my question is if i feel uncomfortable about taking a hazmat load, doubles/triples, will i possibly still be Forced to take them? im thinking of working with some of the larger carriers as a company driver but am worried that they will just look at my license and ends, and not my experience behind the wheel. like you said management didn't choose to listen to your advice and I am very concerned that they just need the trucks moving more than safety... at any costs...
I am looking at becoming a truck driver, I would like to be self employed in 10 years, eventually having multiple trucks and drivers, what is something you would suggest to someone such as myself to achieve this? Obviously being an owner operator now is much less desirable than it was even a decade or 2 ago, but its something I would like to do.
my orientation to my teamster co. was today we are hiring you and from now on we will try to fire you. They want drivers at 75 percent. A good attitude, overcomes that nastyness, knowing you are supporting yr family. They are nasty
its not what happens its how you react to it. I've made many mistakes, but learning from those mistakes is the goal. Slow down, nothing on your truck is worth your life or somebody else's. If a customer is demanding or makes the "your late" comment I always politely remind them that nobody is happy when the goods are spread all over the highway after an accident. Another polite comment is "you can talk to my son after I'm killed in an accident". Many people lose sight of the fact that the driver is human, has a family and 99% of the time is doing their best. Also, I don't want to smell your ass and armpits, have a shower, brush your teeth and put on some pit stick, people will remember not only how good you smell, but how bad you smell.
I have 5 years experience local only, tanker I also have hazmat no accidents or any tickets of any kind but I cannot find a good company to pick me up. What am I doing wrong.?
I80 in wyoming is a wind trap...thousands of trucks have blown over out there....70mph+ gusts all the time...if youre empty or really light...thats it, youre taking a nap on your side.
Mi truck is set up to 85mpg but I just do 60-65 mph no more, no mas, period. I normally run it in 63mph, no 70,75mph ect bushit no need for that... I see other tards flying at 70-75 sometimes 80mph for nothing they just keep stopping at every dumb truck stop it don't make sense
I see guys from the same company pass me like nothing and it don't make sense because we still meet at the terminal that same night and some of them drivers complaint about there truck drinking too much fuel, (😵"obviously"😵)there flying with a dam 40+thousand pound load on them what a crowd of ignorant hungry tards... I have mi truck set up to 85mph but I rarely push it to 65, no need to fly 70+mph like I'm going to win a brand new stupid truck if I get there first LoL 😂😅
Your lips to God's ears. P. S. All those speeds, unless otherwise noted, are for cars. What % of truck drivers know that, or worse yet, know & don't care. That driver found out the hard way. Oh, to have remained a cop.
I have my own story to tell for anyone willing to listen. It pertains greatly to the subject matter presented.
I had a bad attitude with the last company I worked for and it nearly cost me my career.
I came out of school last April eager to learn. I joined up with a small flatbed company out of TN. They had awesome training, they gave you three months training before turning you loose on your own. I paid attention to every detail of that job and had the intention of being as professional at the job as I could be.
With that said, I had a rocky start. I tapped a trailer in the yard while doing backing maneuvers. I also tapped the front bumper on a tight job site. After those two incidents I was trying so damn hard to not mess up. I started doing much better and even got a few compliments. I went several months with no problems. I was making the best money I had ever made. I was feeling really confident....too confident.
Last December I picked up a load of hay from Cokeville, WY. I made it down to Grand Island, NB and rolled the truck turning into I-80.
I was going too fast for the onramp. I was going 18mph which might sound slow to newbies but you fellas that have been driving know how fast that can be. I should have been going 5-10mph with that top heavy load.
Thankfully nobody got hurt and I came out of it with only a sore ass and bruised ego. The accident stayed off my record since there was no injuries and I was the only one involved. Unbelievablely only lost three bales out of 53 and the trailer was fine. The truck was obviously KIA however.
I made it back to the yard and was fired due to the insurance co. cutting me loose.
That was one of the worst days of my life and I figured my truck driving days were over before they really even began.
I managed to get on with another smaller co. and I am still with them today. Needless to say I'm looking at things a lot differently now. I have changed the way I dress when I'm on the road and pay attention like I have never paid attention before.
Moral of the story: just because you want to be a pro driver doesn't mean you're going to be one. Over confidence is just as bad as a lack of caring for your job.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
Keep up this attitude. You seem to be a person that will be an asset .
I'm planning to migrate to Canada and become a truck driver. I'm a mechanic now and I know it will help me a lot. I LOVE DRIVING, and of course I have so much planning and hope, but your story made me to be less full of myself. Always, Always be careful. That's what I learnt from your comment. Thank you and I wish a safe and succesful carrier for you.
@@johnm6642 Thank you
@@behroozkhaleghirad Thanks for that and good luck to you. Trucking has changed my life for the best despite the mistakes on my part. I love this job and hope to keep on trucking for years to come. I wish you the best in your career.
I always remind myself never to get over confident, even if I've done it a hundred times. Over confidence will bite you. It makes you complacent, not as careful as you should be.
Well I did it. After 38 in the trucking industry I finally went out on my own. I started my own company and I just took delivery of my T680. Wish me luck
Congrats and good luck.
Thomas Wilson good luck. Don’t drive too fast.
Thank y'all for the support
Millions of "licensed" drivers. Not so much experienced, courteous, smart drivers. Can't believe you called out the sweat pants, flipflop, dirty Volvo crowd! Lol
The speed limit signs at the curve are for cars, NOT trucks.. Go slower than the limit
When you mentioned not being able to forget the sight of the drivers body I thought of my dad. He works for the railroad and still does, he’s got about 25 years with CSX. He told me that there’s a good chance you’ll hit a vehicle during your career and he’s hit 7. What stuck with me is when he said, “you can forget the destruction left behind, but you’ll never be able to unsee the moment just before Impact. As you hopelessly throw it into emergency, the person looks at you and you both make eye contact. You will never forget that face knowing that it was the last time anyone else saw it.”
It makes you wonder how the emergency services cope with what they have to see and the clean-up. In my part of the world (and I guess in every part of the world), there are so many near misses - hair's breath misses on the railway lines. There's also suicides. I honestly don't know how the train drivers cope because there is nothing they can do. They can't swerve out like other vehicles - though a truck with a high centre of gravity can't really swerve out too much - not to the degree of a car anyway. It also takes a train a long time to come to a complete stop, as your Dad will know. I am sorry that has had to deal with such tragic events.
He had a tough job indeed.
That was a great talk, just to let you know when I’m driving your always playing in my mind and keeping me safe on the road. Just because you make videos doesn’t mean once there watched that the message ends. I’m constantly remembering what you said.
Good to know you're getting some value from the videos.
Drivers always remember the second the front wheels hit the street you are the captain of the ship. Anything that happens is under your command. If the weather is bad slow down, park it if it's that bad. Heavy traffic just relax sit there and ride with the traffic, your not going anywhere by driving on peoples rear bumper. If you pass this one theres another thousand right in front of them. Think about the sleepless nights you will have from seeing a child crying because you crashed and killed their mother or dad. No load is so important to do that to yourself or anyone else. Do your job and do it safely. If you stay at a company five years chances are you'll have at least 3 new dispatchers. They are expendable, you and th public are not.
Very good words of wisdom and in regards to the dispatchers you are right on point
Very good points there, much respect driver. In bumper to bumper traffic, I'll leave a good gap in front of me to let the on ramp get on, because that's where a lot of the congestion comes from, people not knowing how to merge with traffic. Slow roll. Highway going down to one lane? Same thing. Give that gap, because even though I'm slowly moving in the right lane and holding the guys up behind, at least I'm still moving. No one's life is worth the load, period.
Safe travels driver and hope this finds everyone well,
Alex
Glad you did this video as we all know that there is a shortage of professionalism and common sense in our field
I can not believe Dave said cool and Cascadia in the same sentence
Thank you for this video, you mentioned in the story about the driver who died in the crash!! In ny years of trucking I have seen a number of horrific crashes; both when people were killed and where nobody was dead or injured just totaled trucks and spilled loads!! I still recommend your videos to ALL young and new drivers to the world of trucking!! I still learn from your videos also!! Thanks again for making this video!!
Also, tell us more stories about the "Lettuce King"!! I find those stories very entertaining!!
Thank William. Glad you got some value from the videos. We're negotiating with the Lettuce King for a cameo appearance. He's hard at it on weekends, building a truck. It's a 1965 359 Pete, 3406B cat and 325" wheelbase.He'll need a football thing to turn that long thing, but by gosh it looks awesome.
Sad story. Every time I watch a video of yours, it really makes me think. Thank you for that.
Thanks for the video...im a new trucker..I’m actually still in my first year..I drive locally threw Chicago and safety is my number one priority..but you have a lot of super trucker out here that be in such a hurry on the road..they kind of make me nervous how fast they be going around me..but I jus make sure I keep myself safe and other around me..great video
Dave you are a true inspiration to all the truck drivers out there keep up these videos and I personally like to meet you in person and I would buy you your favorite glass of wine thank you so kindly for what you do for us truckers each day
Hey Robert. Great to know you are getting some value from the videos.
Oh and I like Tawse wines.;)
Been driving 11 years. I do my best to drive cautiously like just coming off the truck with a trainer. It's easy to become over confident. Especially doing a dedicated run. Alot of times you can be to comfortable. With the assigned route. And then unexpected can happen.
I appreciate your accentuating low speeds. Just yesterday I was in a beet truck with poor brakes, misjudged the distance to the stop sign and rolled through it... Luckily this was in the open prairie with no cars around. But still, I should have slowed down sooner.
Damn, that was heavy. I can have a lead foot sometimes, but I never thought about how serious speed is in this industry. This is something I’ll have to remember.
Old man winter is right around the corner, be safe out there!
Thanks Dave im 61 have been around this industry most of my life. Thanks for making these videos they are spot on every time and i enjoy ever one of them keep up the great work BOSS.....
Man, I really appreciate you taking out the time to give these messages
I become a great driver more and more every time I watch your videos pls keep them coming
I'm new to your videos and wow, I am really appreciating them. I feel this is the most important one I've seen so far. Attitude is everything, it applies to every aspect of life. And, as illustrated by your sad story, even how long we get to enjoy it. I don't get the fourteen people who clicked on the thumbs down ??? I would go as far as to say, life is attitude ! Dave, thanks as always for taking the time to share these videos with us.
Thanks Thomas!
I've been following you for at least three months I'm in my late 50s change careers and I will be honest with you you scared the hell out of me thanks you for keeping it real and honest
Came for some sage advice, which as usual was bang on, and a story. Today's tale wasn't funny but sure was important - don't drive beyond the capacity of your vehicle and your ability to control it. Applies to everything from a big rig to a crotch rocket. I can't imagine what it felt like for you to experience that horrific incident, but I do appreciate you sharing it.
One's mental attitude determines how one is received by the world--Egyptian proverb
I always enjoy watching your videos, when I have the time. They're very educational and safety related.That's extremely important to me, as I'm a former auto/truck repair technician, turned truck driver.Just like some other viewers, I heed your advice while I'm driving, as it just makes sense!The top trainer at work is much like you, and I paid close attention during every training session.Still have a long way to go before I'll ever be labeled a seasoned professional. At 4.5 months driving still has me as just a rookie, I will always seek the advice of professional drivers, such as yourself.Thank you for the videos, they're helping to keep me and other drivers safe!!!
I remember hearing all the time "no one ever died from going too slow," and "being late for a load is better than being early for the casket"
The company I work for has a company policy and it's called "Captain of the ship" . That means if I call the office and say "Captain of the ship" it means that I say it's not safe out here and I'm shutting it down. I get a room for the night or whatever it takes. It doesn't matter what the load is that you are under. Your safety is the number 1 priority. The load will get there when it gets there. Stay safe
Take pride in your ride and keep a clean rig. You’ll never see me riding around in a dirty rig. I’ll wash that baby 3 times a week if I have to.
I’ve never understood drivers wearing flip flops and basketball shorts. You’ll never catch me wearing that stuff. I’m always on the boots, blue jeans and a plaid shirt.
As always love the stories Dave, good or bad situation. Every story of yours seems you can use it as a learning state, very professional!
That is an absolutely horrifying thing to experience. I have an uncle that used to be a truck driver. Damn good one too. He was heading east on interstate 40 in Oklahoma right around Henryetta when he had a minivan traveling the wrong direction towards him. The driver of the minivans intent was to commit suicide on my uncles truck. My uncle jerked the wheel to the right and rolled his Peterbilt. Thankfully my uncle survived. Him and his wife we’re pretty bruised up. This happened somewhere in the mid 90s. It is so important to have respect for these large trucks not only as the driver of the truck but the motorist around then.
I went through the same thing with my old company yrs ago and like your company, they didn't listen!. Good news is the driver lived but he also managed to shut down part of LA harbor.
An expensive lesson!
Thanks for the Professional Advise, im a Dedicated Driver on i80 in Wyoming, those Winds are Serious for real💪💪💪
I'm going for my AZ course with Tri-County Training here in Ontario in January and the story at the end of this video really teaches me to be humble and never get overconfident and speed or drive distracted especially come the day I am driving trucks come next year. I will make sure to be the best I can be, earn respect by doing my best, and make sure to drive safe and not push the boundaries. That story shows that pushing boundaries especially in a tractor trailer... can end up being catastrophic... it's just not worth pushing too hard. Thanks for all you do I love your videos!
I don't think I've ever heard of a company that trains, actually listening to a trainer when they say, "don't hire this guy".
I'm thankful for this channel, especially as a Rookie Driver. 🙏 Much respect!
Great video Dave. I'm sorry that you had to endure that tragedy.
Anger and attitude do not mix well with trucking. Too many drivers, including myself, have allowed anger to place us in positions that could have ended just the way that Dave's story did. We've all seen the trucking movies where the guy is rough, tough, and can do anything. That looks good in theory, but it doesn't mix well with thousands of tons of freight.
The professional part is very important, in my opinion. People look at us as if the only reason we drive a truck is because we're too stupid to do anything else. There is no need to perpetuate that image by acting, talking, and driving like you're an idiot. Just my opinion.
Thanks Mr. Dave. Really appreciated you making this videos. Thanks for passing on knowledge. I never drive rig before, but been driving MCI buses for almost 20 years, but those words you were saying were always ringing at the back of the head.
I try to always take it slow around curves for reasons just like that and every time I look in my mirros I always see a tailgater, usually a car sometimes a truck, I have never heard anyone get mad or act crazy, but in those 30 secs or less your career could be over just like that if you don't do below the suggested off ramp curve sped. Amen. Thanks for uploading Dave!
I learned that from running cement mixer truck.. They pumped this young man up wow your fast .Until he rolled over he left the name of the company printed in the assault. They told him we like you but the insurance companies won't let us keep you.
Excellent advice on professionalism and one of the most horrific accident stories I've yet heard (sadly I've heard more than a few).
This is also my opinion on being a trucker too, attitude and making good decisions. It’ll suck at first but every thing sucks at first, but it is important not just to me but others. I want to succeed in this industry, because I love the job.
I ask drivers,if school bus backed onto 2 lane,what would you do? Young guys say"blow air horn," or "put flashers on". Old hands say"hit the ditch and try to ride it out. Wisdom,patience and morals.
Good video.
I feel fortunate to hear your more somber stories as well. Very valuable experiences you are sharing here. Thank you.
im new to the road learn alot from this channel love the stories . very good work 👍🏻
The difference between drivers with millions of accident free miles and the short timers is patients
Good advice Dave....
Pay it forward... Think smart... Drive safe!!!
I agree to be below limits and drive carefully.
My old boss always said you should be able to drive with a can of coke sitting on the dash.
If the can slides sideways, your going too fast....this has always served me well...especially running trains with that extra weight.
Ever driven on concrete ? Limit is 75 and we run slower and it still hurts my back when we run it.
Trucker186 yes mate..here in Australia, our newer Freeways are all concrete....we are limited to 100kph or 90kph in a 30m double road train.......
sure love yr videos,thank you for writing back
No problem Angelo, enjoy chatting with you guys!
Thanks Dave!!
Fantastic video Mr. Dave, always shart and clean for your business. God bless 👍👌🙏👍👌🙏
Jitters here I struggle with this when the crappy treatment and pay it plays on my emotions.
I really enjoyed this video Dave, take care! Hopefully I'll see you on the back haul
It’s usually the shipper/receiver that’s angry when you don’t make it there in time because of things that’s out of our control
You're right and too bad for them. Stuff happens!
Thank you this keeps it green for me
Great advice can’t wait to get back out on the highway
You start to learn trucking after 4 years.
Reality is the hardest lesson. Pay attention.
Good video and advice
I practice everything you just said.It has kept me working steady.Would love to meet you just to pick ur brain.You forgot more in trucking than I know.
I've got the worst attitude today and it's totally not helping. First dispatch messed up on my home time so I had to miss an event. Now I'm at a shipper on time and nothing's ready to go. So I closed up the van and headed out for coffee...got to wait until everyone starts screaming I guess.
I seen a driver yesterday that was dirty, very dirty. He had oil on his face, his shirt and shorts, which used to be white, were a strange yellow/orange color, and he looked like he hadn’t showered in a month. Don’t be that guy.
and thats why drivers under 30 should not drive tankers or anything thats unstable..because i admit when younger, i was a race driver in 40 ton trucks..not proud of it but i learned and I can only say this: "dont speed! you think you got experience? but you dont before you have lost control and know how, when and why and that usually requires you to survive and if you going too fast, you wont learn, you just dead!"
I trained people to become drivers for 4 years. They called it a school but it was just a company,pushing out product. I got people that should not have gotten their AZ .Not a lot of them most could do well but there was a few.I finally couldn't do it anymore and quit. Went back out on the road myself and still doing so. Sometimes I miss it and the students,like I said most were good. It was a job though and I had to make drivers. Even if the parts were defective I was to make the product and ship it out into the world. Sometimes I wonder where are they? I know one took down a big 4 legged hydro tower and left a small town in the dark just before Christmas some years back. I hope that was the worst of it.
Jim Squire 🤭 yeah I’ve seen some “drivers” come and go at my old food service delivery job.
Another great video..!
Desperation for drivers is a two-edged sword; it's how I got my break, by being thrown in the deep-end. However, I'm a kind of autodidact so I'm always taking the time to learn the ropes for myself before I find myself in a bind; others not so much. At the company I was working at, we had a driver who proved to be impetuous and impatient, and having ridden in the cab with him once (which was enough for me) I told my boss to get rid of him before he causes a load of grief. I said, advertise and interview some new candidates before you're desperate, so you can pick and choose rather than take any mirror-fogger. Did he listen do me? Nope. In the end, this driver ended up taking a nap on the job (he apparently wasn't feeling well, but didn't put his hand up and admit it) and drove the truck off the highway, wiping out a freeway exit sign and sending it into a cable barrier (lucky for him, given the 8m drop on the other side if it). Truck was out of action for 8 weeks for repairs. Needless to say, he was fired immediately. I had to pick up the slack for about two months before they found someone to replace him. Arrogant, impetuous Dunning-Kruger types really grind my gears. You can always learn new tricks and hone your skills.
Attitude is almost everything.
trucking companies dont pay enough for professional drivers anymore. They are out to get steering wheel holders
People do not realize the forces involved. i guess that is all I can say.
I told a company same thing well the guy rolled the truck on 33 good man but well you know what I'm saying
Is there a place for an "social security trucking company" where nobody drives more than 8-hours/400-miles per day?
Plenty of room in front wide turns, oh yes and SLOWLY
ATM I am working on my CDL i got all of my endorsements except passenger. my question is if i feel uncomfortable about taking a hazmat load, doubles/triples, will i possibly still be Forced to take them? im thinking of working with some of the larger carriers as a company driver but am worried that they will just look at my license and ends, and not my experience behind the wheel. like you said management didn't choose to listen to your advice and I am very concerned that they just need the trucks moving more than safety... at any costs...
True
I am looking at becoming a truck driver, I would like to be self employed in 10 years, eventually having multiple trucks and drivers, what is something you would suggest to someone such as myself to achieve this? Obviously being an owner operator now is much less desirable than it was even a decade or 2 ago, but its something I would like to do.
My big worry is fog. Is it better to follow the tail lights in fog or shut it down? I'm fine rain, sleet or snow but fog terrifies me.
my orientation to my teamster co. was today we are hiring you and from now on we will try to fire you. They want drivers at 75 percent. A good attitude, overcomes that nastyness, knowing you are supporting yr family. They are nasty
Teamsters. A great concept but often an abused one.
Did that company take you advice about new drivers that you evaluated from that point on?
its not what happens its how you react to it. I've made many mistakes, but learning from those mistakes is the goal. Slow down, nothing on your truck is worth your life or somebody else's. If a customer is demanding or makes the "your late" comment I always politely remind them that nobody is happy when the goods are spread all over the highway after an accident. Another polite comment is "you can talk to my son after I'm killed in an accident". Many people lose sight of the fact that the driver is human, has a family and 99% of the time is doing their best. Also, I don't want to smell your ass and armpits, have a shower, brush your teeth and put on some pit stick, people will remember not only how good you smell, but how bad you smell.
I have 5 years experience local only, tanker I also have hazmat no accidents or any tickets of any kind but I cannot find a good company to pick me up. What am I doing wrong.?
What is that watch you have on in the video?
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Does GP Hire New Drivers?
I see it everyday working construction in the city. I see all kinds of dangerous drivers. Probably shouldnt be on the road
Jesus...😔
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Holy Smokies
Good morning I stick with my 2019 389 peterbilt at Smith Transport my dad always told me to respect the road and the equipment
The wind blows in Wyoming?
I80 in wyoming is a wind trap...thousands of trucks have blown over out there....70mph+ gusts all the time...if youre empty or really light...thats it, youre taking a nap on your side.
Hehe. Just a little.
Dress for the job you want not the one you have
Mi truck is set up to 85mpg but I just do 60-65 mph no more, no mas, period. I normally run it in 63mph, no 70,75mph ect bushit no need for that... I see other tards flying at 70-75 sometimes 80mph for nothing they just keep stopping at every dumb truck stop it don't make sense
Ive had trucks blow my doors off 89mph cruise l0l
I see guys from the same company pass me like nothing and it don't make sense because we still meet at the terminal that same night and some of them drivers complaint about there truck drinking too much fuel, (😵"obviously"😵)there flying with a dam 40+thousand pound load on them what a crowd of ignorant hungry tards... I have mi truck set up to 85mph but I rarely push it to 65, no need to fly 70+mph like I'm going to win a brand new stupid truck if I get there first LoL 😂😅
What's the point of driving these big ole' trucks if I can't take them off some sweet jumps every now and again! Jk obv
Your lips to God's ears. P. S. All those speeds, unless otherwise noted, are for cars. What % of truck drivers know that, or worse yet, know & don't care. That driver found out the hard way. Oh, to have remained a cop.
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Trucking sucks big time
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