New To Forum; Not As New To Trucking

I completely disagree with your point of no CB needed, Ryan. Anyone that states this has no idea what they're talking about. CBs have saved more lives than smart phones.

I completely disagree with your point of no CB needed, Ryan. Anyone that states this has no idea what they're talking about. CBs have saved more lives than smart phones.

You do have a considerable amount more of experience driving than I, so I will hold back on commenting on whether or not you are right. I will simply add that drivers with decades of experience have told me "don't worry about a CB." They never said it can't have its usefulness. They said don't worry about one because they said for a newer driver it can prove to be more of a distraction than a tool.

Obviously, to any other drivers, don't take my word for it because I am 2nd hand information. To the drivers just starting out: Trust your trainers. Those are the ones with the driving experience who are in the truck with you.

Hi Ryan and welcome. Feel frée to ask any questions.

Ok, going to try not to go fanboy here. When I was first looking at a career in trucking, I had several YouTube channels that I followed for insight into the business. Yours has been one of my favorite. So awesome that you contribute regularly here.

I completely disagree with your point of no CB needed, Ryan. Anyone that states this has no idea what they're talking about. CBs have saved more lives than smart phones.

You do have a considerable amount more of experience driving than I, so I will hold back on commenting on whether or not you are right. I will simply add that drivers with decades of experience have told me "don't worry about a CB." They never said it can't have its usefulness. They said don't worry about one because they said for a newer driver it can prove to be more of a distraction than a tool.

Obviously, to any other drivers, don't take my word for it because I am 2nd hand information. To the drivers just starting out: Trust your trainers. Those are the ones with the driving experience who are in the truck with you.

I know I'm correct. If you were thinking, you'd have your own CB, too. Just because someone "trains", that doesn't show they're competent.

I completely disagree with your point of no CB needed, Ryan. Anyone that states this has no idea what they're talking about. CBs have saved more lives than smart phones.

You do have a considerable amount more of experience driving than I, so I will hold back on commenting on whether or not you are right. I will simply add that drivers with decades of experience have told me "don't worry about a CB." They never said it can't have its usefulness. They said don't worry about one because they said for a newer driver it can prove to be more of a distraction than a tool.

Obviously, to any other drivers, don't take my word for it because I am 2nd hand information. To the drivers just starting out: Trust your trainers. Those are the ones with the driving experience who are in the truck with you.

I know I'm correct. If you were thinking, you'd have your own CB, too. Just because someone "trains", that doesn't show they're competent.

You made your point. Have a good day.

I totally agree with PackRat on this, 100%.

Ryan wrote in his introductory post:

I have a year of OTR under my belt, and in that year I have experienced just about everything a driver may expect to experience, both good and bad. I work for a company located in north central Ohio and live in southeastern Michigan.

Everything? The above is exactly why you should not be offering advice stating that a CB is unnecessary. It's clear that you have yet to experience a situation requiring the immediate need for a CB. But you will... you compared the CB to an i-phone... the i-phone is the number one distraction in the cab of a truck..., NOT A CB.

I totally agree with PackRat on this, 100%.

Ryan wrote in his introductory post:

I have a year of OTR under my belt, and in that year I have experienced just about everything a driver may expect to experience, both good and bad. I work for a company located in north central Ohio and live in southeastern Michigan.

Everything? The above is exactly why you should not be offering advice stating that a CB is unnecessary. It's clear that you have yet to experience a situation requiring the immediate need for a CB. But you will... you compared the CB to an i-phone... the i-phone is the number one distraction in the cab of a truck..., NOT A CB.

Please don't read too much into the word "everything." It's a colloquial term that is not intended to be taken literally. It just simply means that I have made common mistakes and have had common mistakes made around me. Have a great day, G-Town.

I too agree a CB is necessary. Sure, most days it's nearly silent my entire shift or you have idiots blasting music. There have been numerous times I've been alerted to traffic at a standstill on the other side of a hill. While I was able to begin slowing prior to reaching the top other drivers locked their brakes up. I've been able to get off the interstate when it's closed instead of sitting in it. Often times local drivers to that area jump on and will give you directions how to avoid the shutdown and keep moving. I've been warned about the roadway turning to ice at a certain marker and able to slow down while I still have control.

The only time I can agree that a CB is a distraction for a new driver is the truck stop. Turn it off as you pull in so you don't have to listen to the people making fun of your skills (or lack of) as a fresh out of school cdl holder. If someone starts blasting music or being stupid on the radio often times turning your volume down for a few minutes, or simply ignoring them will get them to stop. As we approach winter we're going to unfortunately see many pileups. In my opinion, aside from driving too fast for conditions and not maintaining proper following distance, lack of CB radios is why so many commercial vehicles are involved. You're guaranteed to have other drivers warning you. Even if you keep it off except for inclement weather it's a huge benefit to keep you safe.

I too agree a CB is necessary. Sure, most days it's nearly silent my entire shift or you have idiots blasting music. There have been numerous times I've been alerted to traffic at a standstill on the other side of a hill. While I was able to begin slowing prior to reaching the top other drivers locked their brakes up. I've been able to get off the interstate when it's closed instead of sitting in it. Often times local drivers to that area jump on and will give you directions how to avoid the shutdown and keep moving. I've been warned about the roadway turning to ice at a certain marker and able to slow down while I still have control.

The only time I can agree that a CB is a distraction for a new driver is the truck stop. Turn it off as you pull in so you don't have to listen to the people making fun of your skills (or lack of) as a fresh out of school cdl holder. If someone starts blasting music or being stupid on the radio often times turning your volume down for a few minutes, or simply ignoring them will get them to stop. As we approach winter we're going to unfortunately see many pileups. In my opinion, aside from driving too fast for conditions and not maintaining proper following distance, lack of CB radios is why so many commercial vehicles are involved. You're guaranteed to have other drivers warning you. Even if you keep it off except for inclement weather it's a huge benefit to keep you safe.

So, all of what you are saying makes a great deal of sense. I can't to it it any personal experience because I have never owned a CB.

Do you have any thoughts as to why drivers with a great deal of experience would advise that a CB isn't something to worry about getting when first starting? I really would like to just have a conversation on this. I can obviously go back to these drivers, three of them still drive for the company for which I drive, one being my trainer. One of these drivers is closing in on 80 and has over 50 years of truck driving experience.

But, for the sake of the topic that came up in this thread, do you have any thoughts as to why veteran drivers would give the advice to a new driver not to worry about getting a CB?

I have to agree a CB is a very necessary tool. Over the years mine has proved very valuable alerting me too problems so I could prepare for the problem, instead of driving into it.

Sure there is stupid stuff on it at times. I keep the volume up and squelch tight so I eliminate alot of the garbage. When I pull into a truck stop it always goes off.

I cannot think of any reason an experienced driver would advise against having one. It is less distraction than a phone or ELD. Mine is set and sets there in the overhead. All I have to do is listen. No more distracting than listening to the radio going down the road.