Profile For Kenneth L.

I have to agree with the other advice givers. All good info here it seems. When in a 4 wheeler, someone tailgating can be problematic. If you're on a ramp, just don't worry about it. You'll be off the ramp soon enough.

Trucks tend to tailgate cars to let the car know one of two things. One you are driving slow and you're NOT in the far right lane that isn't an exit only lane. Or you have passed me and now you are slowing down. If you wanted slow down you should have done that when you were behind me.

However, now that more and more trucks are getting electronics installed for EVERYTHING. A driving tactic change is in order. You can no longer tailgate. You simply pull into the passing lane and attempt a pass of the car that's causing the problem. The car driver just CAN'T STAND THE IDEA of being behind a truck so it then speeds up. This actually works better than tailgating. As a lot of car drivers will intentionally slow you down because they know it's getting on your nerves. When you attempt the pass, they lose control of the situation and then move on.

I just came through Cincinnati today about around afternoon rush hour. South on I-71 and wanting to go south onto I-75.

Any experts know of the best route? I'm through it now. But following a navigator is useless unless that navigator is a human. Tunnel 71 was closed and a lot of the ramps to 71 were closed today too.

I managed to get through it but it was through a great bit of tourist section of town. You know, people everywhere on foot walking about wondering what the hell this semi is doing coming through here kind of thing. Cars parked in the right lane on skinny roads. Lot of fun I tell ya.

The construction signs just said "I-71 south closed, find alternate route". Really? You not gonna offer any help or point the way?

Went under no less than three 13-6 bridges. That was close. Managed to finally get back on 75 before the bridge. But I was having to navigate by general direction only there for a bit as the GPS kept trying to get me back on 71 north and then get back off for a turn around. Which would only put me back in the same problem.

Just curious as to what I should have done? Stay on the outer loop?

It may just be me or just a coincidence... But it seems something is changing from over the last year and a half. I think the drivers are adapting a bit more to the new way of driving. I don't hear nearly as much CB trash as I used to. I don't see as much trash on the parking lots as I used to. Still some but a little bit less. I don't hear as many arguments about the usual nothing anymore (been 6 months since I've heard or seen an argument). Not even the Obama bashing that I used to hear all the time. What's happening? I haven't even heard anyone complaining about the steering wheel holders with the flip flops.

And as a matter of fact as I sit here typing this reply out sitting at a pilot in Nitro WV, there is a problem with the fuel pumps. But no cursing or out of anger talk on the radio at all. Just the occasional question with every reply being very professional (so far). And it's hot here too. No tempers or anything. Am I still asleep and dreaming or what? Did I wake up on another planet or something?

I think you have learned something new.

I'm sure they do have more experience than I do in general truck driving. I'd bet every one of those office managers was a driver back in their day. However, things have changed lately with the new trucks and I haven't seen any of them in any of the trucks since I've been there.

I'm just telling it from MY experience and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what works best.

Yeah, I think you handled it right too. Just let it roll off, the jerk will be gone by tomorrow anyway. If it were me, I'd just keep practicing, right beside his truck. Ally dock and blind side. Once parked on one side of his truck, pull out and park on the other side. Then back to the other. And take your time too. A LOT of time. Get out and look 15 times. Stand around and scratch your head and balls some. Pick your nose a bit and thump it in his direction. Grin some in his direction when you adjust your package. If that don't make him move, nothing will.

Most of those issues are set up by the company you work for. When the truck came from Freightliner, it was probably set up right. But like Ozark, the companies think they know better than the drivers that actually have to drive them. Ozark, turns off the performace mode and the manual control mode of the transmission. They think we're too stupid to know what gear is best for a given situation. So economy automatic is the only mode they give us.

So now, we drivers have to watch the speedometer and tach to know when to trick it out of econo mode so it will give the engine the rest of the power we know it has to get up the hill. Watching the instruments like a hawk instead of the road just to keep the truck at the requested cruise speed is surely helping the safety of the operation of the truck. "Why did you run over that road hazzard?" -- "Cause I was looking at the tack and didn't see it in time."

I got news for those geeks in the office that think they know truck driving. Climbing a hill under load is only done best at max speed. Going up a hill slower does NOT save fuel cause the truck will be going up hill longer and it still has to accelerate once at the top and level instead of being at top speed once at the top and ready for coast mode.

Going down hill is another pain altogether. Jake setting two is usually not strong enough and setting three would be just right except the auto transmission want to shift down a gear and then it starts to slow you down instead of just hold your speed. And all because we have no manual control of the tranny.

OK I had my rant.

My prediction is this,... The trucks will not be totally autonomous. It will be like cruise control is today. It's useful on the open road, but not very useful for docking or backing into parking spots or even in high traffic.

Self driving assists will be put in to let the driver relax a bit while it's on the open interstate. When traffic gets thick, the driver will most likely want to take over, just like today for cruise control.

The only problem I can see, is that more drivers will be falling asleep while the cruise-driver is turned on. Thinking they can just close their eyes just for a few moments to help relieve the burning. Next thing you know, someone is sleeping at the wheel.

A dead man switch is probably going to be needed here. Press this button every minute or an air horn inside the cab is going to sound.

If I understand the course correctly, I'd nose toward the dock first, then back to my sight side to get pointed back toward the guard shack. Pull forward a bit then another sight side back into the dock. I'd rather do multiple sight sides than any blind side.

This is my solution too. Has the least chance of making an error. It may take a couple more minutes, but it looks the most elegant solution.

Upon surveying the land, I'd stay left close to the stripped paint, turn right doing a Uey, then ally dock in to slot 6. Even though it's safer for my truck to get into dock 5 and puts my truck in better visibility for the other driver, it will make it much harder for the other driver to get into dock 6 once I'm in dock 5. So I pick dock 6 and let him have the easier spot. Then assist him if needed to get into dock 5 without hitting my truck. Getting back out can also be a bit more challenge because my turn will be more tight. But from the looks of the photo, it should still be possible. If it didn't look possible from being there, then door 5 would be a must.