Short Introduction

Hi. I've lurked around Trucking Truth for over a year now. Used the amazing CDL training materials to ace my exams. Learned a lot from people on here. Haven't been on much the past year because of lack of wifi most of the time and very little free time on the road. Got a wifi hotspot now and figured I'd try to get on more again because it's a great resource and a good way to talk to other truckers.

One question, though: At what point do you actually become a "truck driver"? I've been out solo over a year now and I'm just now beginning to get comfortable at the job and feel like I have some kind of clue what I'm doing. Hell, I can still barely ever back into anyplace without at least one pull up. But on the bright side, there are less and less places I'm intimidated to try to back into. Is it unusual to still feel like such a rookie at this point? I still sit at truck stops watching people struggle to back in places and think "Good grief these trucks are big!"

BTW, Guyjax is my hero. Really hope to meet that dude someday.

Hi Rookie, and welcome

After a year of solo I would think your qualified as a truck driver. I myself have a long time to go before I can remove my rookie tag.

Most of the experienced drivers I have talked to that are HONEST about it will say they still have days when they struggle backing, grind gears, or any of the other typical mistakes you see rookies like me make. You have made it over a year solo, think about how many people try to enter this industry and never come close to accomplishing that! It's a pretty big number.

Woody

After 16 years in the great industry we are in I am still a rookie. :D . I learn stuff that is new everyday. I still stand in awe of how we have move these trucks the way we do. Trucking ,as a whole, still humbles me. If a trailer will fit into a hole then i can put it there no matter how tight any day of the week. And then there are days I have a line of docks 30 long with no trucks in any of them and I cant back straight to save my life. It happens. Some days I can back into a tight spot with a fluid movement and hit it prefect and the next time pull up 3 to 4 times. One pull up is normal for just about ever one so don't sweat it. Anytime you can back up and you do not hit anything is the best type of backing regardless of the amount of pull ups. The title "Truck Driver" is not a title you get by time. It just sort of happens. Experience is the way you get that title. The true meaning of Driver is a hard fough battle we fight everyday by doing our job in a safe and responsible manner.

Hero? Do I get a medal or something? Truthfuly rather have a Bozo button or a cookie.

In my opinion getting one year of safe OTR driving in means you've proven you're capable of being an awesome driver. But in my experience it was somewhere between years 3 and 5 that you really, really know your stuff. At that point you've seen a whole lot and you've learned so many of the tiny nuances that make a true veteran a cut above the rest.

To get a year of driving in is a huge accomplishment that everyone should be very proud of. But you'll find that over the next few years your knowledge base will continue to grow and you'll be more of a Ninja Warrior Trucker around the 3-5 year mark.

Ninja Warrior Trucker

Anytime you can back up and you do not hit anything is the best type of backing regardless of the amount of pull ups.

That's been about my biggest goal most of this year. But I'm finally to the point where I don't start every back with a deep breath and "Please God don't let me hit anything."

Hero? Do I get a medal or something? Truthfuly rather have a Bozo button or a cookie.

Bozo button? You're really dating yourself now. Haha.

So how long does it take to become a Super Trucker? :P

So how long does it take to become a Super Trucker? :P

For some it only seems to take a couple of days

So how long does it take to become a Super Trucker? :P

For some it only seems to take a couple of days

Now THAT is funny...

I talked to all my instructors while in school and more or less asked them the same question. And just about everyone said, I drive a truck. But am I a truck driver? That depends on the day of the week.

I have had 20 year vets tell me that there come days that they couldn't back a semi in a 40 acre field. The next day they back between two poles with less than a few inches to spare.

You never learn it all. If you are in this career for 20+ years, you will be learning something every day.

The best advice I have ever heard came from a retired 35 year vet of driving. If you EVER get to the point that you think you know it, get out of the truck.

There will be days you feel more at ease and more comfortable, but the day you think you have learned it all and know everything, get out of the truck.

Very very good advice.

Keep it safe out here, the life you save might be your own. Joe. S.