10 Speed Shifting

That's life, and that's part of being a rookie. We've all been there. We're just glad it's someone else's turn to be the new guy!

This is SO true. When those experienced drivers out there start making fun of you, REMIND them as PROFESSIONALLY as you can that they were there at SOME POINT in THEIR career. Make them realize you are there now and eventually you will get as good as them, however it takes everyone a while to get to that point where they are that good. This is a job where no matter whether or not you have 1 day experience or 5 million safe miles, you learn SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY. By applying that knowledge, thats how you get good at this job, but NEVER become overconfident or nuts at this job. Just because you are good at it don't mean you are the best or a super trucker. Be good at it for the RIGHT reasons, by making SAFE decisions EVERY MILE, EVERY LOAD, EVERY TIME. That is the mark of a TRUE PROFESSIONAL DRIVER.

None of us want to hold people up, but we have to do what we have to do to stay safe out there so the rest of the world can run to Walmart and the grocery store and get anything they'll ever need to live the easy life.

When those 4 wheelers do their Walmart run they FAIL to REALIZE that EVERY thing in that store was on the BACK OF THAT 53FT TRAILER at SOME POINT in its journey. Before they think to flip you off or yell at you for going slow, they need to realize that without you, they would not have anything they own because its us TRUCKERS that are the BACKBONE of the American Economy, because EVERYTHING WE OWN is on a TRUCK at SOME POINT in its process to get it into your car or your home.

You're overriding responsibility is to move that rig around the country without putting a scratch on it. If that means you have to move super extra slow in parking lots, and get out and look ten times when you're backing, and take hills extra slowly then that's exactly what you do.

^^^^^THIS^^^^^ is how you ACCUMULATE 5 MILLION PLUS safe miles. If you are SAFE in EVERY decision made when you are DRIVING or are AROUND that truck, you will become a SAFE, PROFESSIONAL DRIVER.

When those experienced drivers out there start making fun of you, REMIND them as PROFESSIONALLY as you can that they were there at SOME POINT in THEIR career. Make them realize you are there now and eventually you will get as good as them, however it takes everyone a while to get to that point where they are that good

Actually, the best way to handle it is to laugh at yourself along with them. Be really, really good at taking a joke. If someone is teasing you and you show them it bothers you, they're really gonna get on you then. Be the one laughing the hardest when the joke is on you and rarely will the jokes ever be on you. Somehow it's just not as fun making fun of someone who takes it well, plus people will respect you a lot more for showing the character and confidence and humility to be able to laugh at yourself a little bit.

Because let's face it, we're all clumsy knuckleheads in the beginning, no question about it. Some people will pick up on things faster than others, but there's no such thing as "a natural" when it comes to handling a rig. Everyone needs months and months of practice before they even begin to become a little proficient at it.

Here's a fun article for anyone who hasn't read it. It's about exactly what we're talking about - how funny we all look when we first start driving:

The Backing Range At Trucking Driving School - It's Like Clown Soup For The Soul

Because let's face it, we're all clumsy knuckleheads in the beginning, no question about it. Some people will pick up on things faster than others, but there's no such thing as "a natural" when it comes to handling a rig. Everyone needs months and months of practice before they even begin to become a little proficient at it.

THIS IS SO TRUE. I sure know I was. I kinda still am (a clumsy knucklehead that is) because I am trying to blow through 2.5 yrs of rust still on me now. When I get my CDL back, MOST of that rust should be gone, however when I get through the 28 days with my Lead Driver, then it should ALL be gone (at least I HOPE it is).