Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/322764
to Trucking Introduction 10 www.studentdriverplacement.com June '14 by Tim Brady Note: We interview two truckers monthly, changing names and some details so they remain anonymous. But rest as- sured they're real and these are their ex- periences from the road. It's June, and the summer heat's upon us with the bugs: on the windshield, the grill and the back of the mirrors. So that's the topic this month, "Stop Bugging Me!" What three things are most annoying to you OTR? What can change them from be- ing a problem? Naomi: 1. Other drivers who are rude and incon- siderate with no common sense. 1 ½. Four-wheelers on their phones tex- ting. I'll blow my airhorn at 'em if they're weaving real bad. 2. Shippers/receivers taking their sweet time eating up my 14 hours of time to work each day. (...Patience. Don't ever show them you're mad about waiting be- cause they'll make you wait even longer for being a jerk to them.) 3. HOS rules irritate me to no end, espe- cially the 30-minute break and the whole reset rule. It's the law; nothing I can do about it but be creative with my breaks. (It's called the 'dirty 30' for good reason.) Ben: 1. Cars merging onto the interstate 30- 45 mph. 2. Cars racing around your rig just to slam on the brakes to take the next exit. 3. Trucks/cars riding in the left lane un- der the speed the fl ow of traffi c is mov- ing, causing congestion. Not much you can do to change them, so best to give them plenty of room. Be the professional trucker. What's your biggest pet peeve regarding the operation of your truck? Naomi: Cleanliness - it's a small space; everything has a place. Put it away. Breakdowns - no way to anticipate some things. Do your pre- and post-trip inspec- tions religiously. Ben: When you try to keep a safe follow- ing distance and cars take advantage of that space you've left and cut in, taking that margin of safety away from you. They do this most of the time without warning! What three things could shippers do to make your job run more smoothly? Naomi: 1. Follow appointments; stop making trucks sit in docks for hours with no ex- planation. Treat drivers with respect!!!! We're hauling your freight. We're going to do it as safely and timely as possible; we expect the same from you. 2. Speak English 3. Allow parking for 10-hour rest periods What It's Really Like Trucking, Part 30 Stop Bugging Me! Continued on page 12... intro trucking 0614.indd 1 5/20/14 10:24 AM