Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/270298
to Trucking Introduction 8 www.studentdriverplacement.com March '14 by Tim Brady H appy St. Paddy's Day! How much has luck got to do with trucking? Let's ask our two road warriors if it's truth or blarney. What was the luckiest event that happened while driving a truck? Naomi: Watching road conditions change as an- other driver did not. It'd been raining; then freez- ing rain, then snow. A truck passed me; he was still hammering. I'd turned off my cruise and Jake brake and slowed down. About two miles up the road, it was a solid sheet of glare ice. I kept my 'slow go' up. He, on the other hand, was in the ditch. Ben: I was on my way to Texas on 30, al- most to Texarkana. It was starting to get dark, and raining. A Jeep Grand Chero- kee crossed the median sideways, then backwards, coming straight for me. He/ she came within inches of slamming into me, but luckily, missed me and other traf- fi c. I guess they were the lucky ones. If they'd hit me, I don't think it would have been a good outcome for them at all. What skills came into play that helped this event be positive? Naomi: Recognizing that the conditions were changing; temperatures cooling, loss of spray. And no sudden movements. I made it through with no big issues. It was just extremely slick. Ben: I kept 'er straight and steady; didn't panic. Not much else I could do. Any superstitions you believe help bring you luck or keep you safe from harm? Do you read your astrological forecast? Naomi: I have a set routine in which I hook and unhook from trailers. My biggest fears are dropping a trailer or high pinning a What It's Really Like Trucking, Part 27 Luck on the Road -Truth or Blarney intro trucking 0314.indd 1 2/19/14 3:30 PM