Prepare to embark on a captivating journey into the intriguing world of truck drivers. A realm brimming with untold stories, hidden knowledge, and a distinct way of life on the open road.
Now, it is time to unveil the secrets that transform these individuals into true road warriors. Discover the hazards they confront, the perks they relish, and immerse yourself in the captivating lifestyle of trucking.
Making Friends Keeps The Roads Less Lonely
The road can be isolating for drivers, emphasizing the importance of networking and making friends while on the journey.
Building connections helps combat loneliness and enhances mental health and stability. Engaging with fellow drivers fosters support, sharing experiences, and creates a sense of camaraderie. Friendship on the road is invaluable for a driver's overall well-being.
Your Word Is Your Bond
Trust is paramount for drivers, nearly as vital as their physical health. They must trust fellow drivers to operate responsibly while maintaining safety on the road.
Equally important is the trust that they will be duly compensated for their work, a significant factor in their livelihood. Building trust ensures a harmonious and reliable driving ecosystem.
"NO" To Hitchhikers 100% Of The Time
One crucial truck-driving rule is to never pick up hitchhikers. It avoids potential dangers and minimizes risks.
Unknown passengers can pose safety threats, including theft, assault, or harm to the driver's well-being. Adhering to this rule ensures the driver's personal security and promotes a safer environment on the road for all parties involved.
A Lot Of Truckers Bring A Pet With Them
Although having another person in the cab is often very ill-advised for truck drivers, the opposite can be true when it comes to animal companions. Since trucking is often a very lonely lifestyle, having a loving pet during long hauls can make a world of difference.
Pets have been found to improve cardiovascular health, reduce stress, and alleviate depression symptoms, all of which are crucial in a demanding job like this. According to Len Dubois Trucking, however, small, short-haired, and lazy animals are the most recommended to best suit the unique circumstances of trucking.
It's Often Necessary To Assume The Worst Of Other Drivers
Considering the size of the vehicles they're working with, truck drivers are intimately familiar with the fact that it can take up to four travel lanes to make a 90-degree turn. That awareness not only keeps them from wrecking infrastructure but makes them very aware of the risks other drivers can take by being careless around them.
For that reason, it's emphasized among truck drivers to both be vigilant about what's going on at the right side of the vehicle and to block any access to that side as much as possible. In their experience, people will try to pass them on that side despite risking their lives to do so. As Reddit user and truck driver Dumpster_Sauce put it, "If the thought 'No one would be that stupid' ever crosses your mind, you are wrong."
Truckers Encourage Vigilance About The Fifth Wheel Connection
The fifth wheel connection is what connects the cab to the trailer, which means it can make the difference between getting paid and getting fired since it's responsible for keeping the precious cargo attached.
For that reason, Reddit user AllOutOfMeowsForNow emphasized, "Always check your fifth wheel connection, get a flashlight and look. Make a consistent routine every time. It only takes one time of not checking." While accidents can certainly happen otherwise, it's also apparently not unheard of for a small but insidious minority of drivers to intentionally unhook them from other trucks. Some people just want to watch the world burn, as they say.
Truck Drivers Have To Be Extra Prepared In Winter
While truck drivers are expected to be able to maintain their vehicles year-round, the combination of remote roads and inclement weather in winter can turn routine hauls into matters of life and death if a breakdown happens in the wrong place.
That's why experienced drivers will recommend keeping the kind of insulated winter clothes that would normally seem appropriate in Alaska (including thermal long johns and an Arctic sleeping bag) and two days' worth of food and beverages in the rig. As Reddit user and truck driver spyder7723 said, "Winter weather actively tries to kill you, do not let it catch you unprepared."
Be Sure Before You Call That Number On The Truck
Calling phone numbers displayed on trucks, particularly to complain about drivers, may not always yield favorable outcomes. Drivers often have limited control over road conditions and circumstances.
Criticizing their actions may not be met with support, as many owners stand by their drivers. Caution is advised when considering such actions, recognizing the complexities involved.
Truckers Pay Close Attention To The Names Of Roads
For most personal vehicles, it doesn't make a world of difference as to whether the road they're about to turn onto is a "run," a "parkway," or a "pike." However, it's an entirely different story when trying to navigate an 18-wheeler down one of these roads.
While numbered US and state roads are typically suitable for trucks unless otherwise indicated and the same is true for roads that end in the word "pike," roads that end in "parkway" will cause trouble for a big truck more often than not. The same is true for a road ending in "run," as these are usually creekside roads that predate the existence of trucks and thus, aren't safe for them.
Truckers Can Develop Some Keen Gut Instincts
A common rule of thumb among truck drivers is that if something feels unusual about a given haul, there's probably something to that gut instinct. If it feels like the rig handles differently for some reason, it's better to get out and check why that is than find out the hard way later.
That's also true for suspicious patches on the road that could be black ice or other vehicles on the highway that are wobbling a little erratically. As Reddit user Oersch said while giving this warning, "You can be wrong a thousand times but you only need to be right once."
Hobbies Are Even More Important Than Usual
While hobbies tend to be beneficial for most people's mental health and fulfillment in life, they're outright crucial for a job as isolating as truck driving.
The profession requires a level of commitment that makes it more of a lifestyle than just a job, and it's far easier to lose oneself to it if a trucker's life is only broken up between hauling and sleeping.
If A Truck Driver Is Armed, Nobody Is Supposed To Know
Considering that truck drivers will find themselves going all over the country and traveling through all sorts of areas and situations, some will take a step to ensure they're protected when nobody else is around.
However, experienced drivers will be very sure to caution that if a driver deems that step necessary, they must never tell anyone else about it. While details were sparse, being showy about such a thing tends to cause more problems than it solves. As Reddit user AnnieGs explained, "You don't discuss firearms, you don't know anything about firearms and you're upset with the fact they exist."
Truck Drivers Have To Watch For Their Own Safety
While truck driving can be demanding and time-sensitive job, one thing experienced drivers will emphasize to eager rookies is that their safety should not be sacrificed for their company's ambitions. That means that if a stop needs to happen while carrying a load, it needs to happen.
Otherwise, there are more tired, angry, hungry drivers out on the road and that's dangerous for everyone involved no matter what the driver's bosses say. As Reddit user AnnieGS put it, "Drive like the current load doesn't mean anything to you, if it means you get to pick up the next one."
Truck-Driving Is NOT For Everyone
The lifestyle of a truck driver demands full comprehension prior to embracing it. It involves sacrifices such as limited time with family and a compromised social life.
Long hours on the road can isolate drivers from their loved ones and hinder opportunities for social interactions. Understanding these aspects is crucial before pursuing this profession.
Each Of Mother Nature's Seasons Require Separate Skills
Having the skills to navigate through different seasons is crucial for truck drivers. They must be prepared to handle the challenges presented by each season individually. From icy roads in winter to scorching heat in summer, drivers need to adapt.
For drivers to remain safe and finish their jobs, they must possess the ability to make minor repairs even in extreme temperatures, whether facing cold or blistering heat.
More Truck Drivers Have A Change Of Heart Than You Think
The truck-driving industry exhibits a high turnover rate due to various factors. Constant exposure to dangers on the road, prolonged periods away from home and loved ones, and the lack of work-life balance contribute to drivers reevaluating their career choices.
These challenges often lead to drivers changing their minds after venturing into the truck-driving profession.
City Driving NEVER Gets Easier With Practice
Contrary to popular belief, highway driving in an eighteen-wheeler proves less demanding for drivers compared to city streets.
Negotiating these mammoth vehicles through congested traffic, maneuvering around tight corners, avoiding potholes, and navigating challenging receiving areas are just a few of the intricate tasks that make city driving more challenging than extended highway journeys.
If The Hands Of Truck Drivers Could Talk...
With the diverse tasks handled behind the wheel, the multitude of actions performed by truck drivers necessitates varied hand maintenance approaches.
For starters, constant hand-washing is crucial, considering the extensive use of hands. Proper care becomes essential to address dryness and cracks, ensuring drivers' hands remain in optimal condition.
Life And The Road Are One
One of the challenges of truck driving as a profession is that while on the road, the truck becomes their entire life.
Enduring long hours, driving overnight, and constantly moving from one job to another become their way of life. The truck becomes their home, workplace, and companion, requiring adaptability and resilience.
There Are Some Perks Along The Way
Occasionally, truck drivers experience delightful perks or unexpected gifts while on the job. Delivering goods like ice cream, candy, or chocolate bars often brings the reward of receiving complimentary samples.
These gestures not only bring joy but also serve as a token of appreciation for the hard work and dedication of truck drivers.
Google Maps Is Not All Truck Drivers Need To Have
In today's evolving transportation industry, truck drivers must stay ahead by being well-versed in a multitude of apps. These digital tools simplify their jobs and enhance efficiency.
Examples include navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze for optimized routes, load board apps such as DAT and Truckstop.com for finding available loads, and fleet management apps like KeepTruckin and Transflo for electronic logging and paperwork management. Familiarity with various apps has become indispensable for modern truck drivers.
Physical Fitness Is "Knee-ded"
The physical demands of the job take a toll on the body, especially the knees. Prioritizing exercises and training to strengthen the knees and back should be a priority, although it's easier said than done.
Finding the time and energy for such activities amidst the demanding schedule is a constant challenge.
Eating Properly And Staying Fit Is...Complicated
Driving a truck is physically demanding, but training the body for it is challenging. The constant rush leaves little time for proper meals, resulting in fast and often unhealthy food choices.
The certainty of exhaustion from long trips makes it nearly impossible to find the energy for regular workouts in between.
A Golden Rule Of The Highways
Avoid tailgating when driving big rigs. The consequences are severe. For the driver, it reduces their ability to react, risking rear-end collisions, property damage, and injury.
Other highway users face danger too. Tailgating limits visibility, increases the likelihood of accidents, and creates an unsafe environment. Keep a safe distance for everyone's well-being on the road.
Shy Applicants Need Not Bother
Strong communication skills are essential for truck drivers. They must relay vehicle information, cargo details, and inform receivers about delivery expectations.
Constant communication via CB radio is also crucial, enabling them to relay traffic updates, coordinate with other drivers, and stay informed about potential road hazards. Effective communication is vital for smooth and efficient operations on the road.
Danger Is Never Welcomed, But Is Also Part Of The Job
Driving big rigs like eighteen-wheelers requires immense skill, but no amount of training can fully prepare drivers for every road hazard.
The unpredictable nature of the road means that unexpected situations can arise at any time. Therefore, drivers must remain vigilant, adaptable, and rely on their experience to navigate the dangers they encounter.
Add Night Owl To The Tools Of The Trade
If you are a person who relishes their sleep, you should avoid truck driving. The job often entails driving overnight to beat traffic or save time, which can lead to drowsiness and accidents.
Prioritizing safety is crucial, so it's advisable for those who value their rest to choose a different profession that does not involve being behind the wheel.
Antifreeze In Their Veins
One crucial part of a truck driver's job is having the ability to remain calm. This not only ensures safety on the road but also offers health benefits by reducing stress levels.
During the most challenging moments, this composure allows drivers to make rational decisions, enhancing their overall effectiveness and well-being.
Money May Not Buy Everything, But The Salary Can Help
The salary of drivers can be a potentially lucrative endeavor, with many having the opportunity to earn well depending on their job or the company they work for. It can be exponentially more profitable if they own their rigs.
While it may not make them wealthy, a good income can significantly improve their quality of life, making things more comfortable and manageable.
Only Drivers Understand Drivers
Truck drivers possess a unique skill to engage in seemingly cryptic conversations with their peers, an incomprehensible language to the uninitiated.
For example, they might say "10-4," which translates to "affirmative" or "understood." It's an acknowledgment of the message being received. To the layperson, this secret code remains an enigmatic form of communication.
Many Companies Use Computers To Limit Speed
Many trucking companies often install onboard computers to limit speed and monitor mileage for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures compliance with safety regulations and prevents accidents caused by excessive speed.
It also helps optimize fuel efficiency and reduces maintenance costs. While drivers may feel frustrated by the speed limitations, it's important to remember that it's beyond their control, as these measures are in place to prioritize safety and operational efficiency.
Uber Offers Many Drivers An Escape Plan
After securing their trucks in safe parking spots, many drivers now turn to Uber as a convenient means to explore town rather than being confined within their cabs.
Embracing these services enables them to experience local attractions, sample diverse cuisines, and engage in leisure activities, adding a touch of adventure to their otherwise demanding trucking lifestyles.
Why Not Make The Truck Like Home?
The transformation of their rigs into cozy mini homes has become a common practice among those spending extended periods on the road.
These mobile abodes are cleverly designed, boasting well-equipped kitchens, dedicated spaces for tools, a compact yet comfortable dining area, and a snug spot to catch up on much-needed sleep, ensuring that life on the go is both efficient and comfortable.
Truck-Driving Is No Longer A Man's World
According to a 2023 study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprise 8% of all truck and delivery drivers in the United States today.
This statistic indicates a positive shift towards increased female representation in the trucking industry, highlighting progress in breaking gender stereotypes and promoting diversity in traditionally male-dominated professions.
Desperation For Company Can Lead To Poor Choices
Picking up strangers as road partners can be extremely dangerous and ill-advised. It's impossible to gauge someone's intentions or trustworthiness upon first meeting.
A reminder that extended periods of time spent together can quickly turn into a nightmare if you don't genuinely like the person. Prioritize your safety and avoid unnecessary risks on the road.
Pay Attention To The Truck's Details
The logos on trucks often symbolize independent drivers rather than belonging to a specific company. Many drivers aspire to own their own rigs and establish their own companies, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit within the trucking industry.
These decals serve as a proud representation of their independence, dedication, and the pursuit of their dreams on the open road.
Boredom Brings Creativity To Drivers
Truck drivers often personalize, accessorize, and decorate their rigs to combat the monotony of long hours on the road. One common practice is placing plush toys on the grills or dashboards, adding a touch of whimsy to their mobile homes.
These small accents provide a sense of companionship and bring a bit of joy to their otherwise solitary journeys.
Trucks Speak With Their Headlights
Driving a truck is like joining a secret society; they utilize their headlights as a silent language on the road. A quick flash can convey various messages: a warning about speed traps, an expression of gratitude, or a request to yield.
It's a subtle code of communication built on mutual understanding and a shared sense of camaraderie amidst the chaos of traffic.
"Lot Lizards" Are Common And Drivers Advise Avoiding Them
Considering how many truckers can find themselves in rest areas at a time and how endemic loneliness is to the profession, it's not uncommon for some enterprising ladies of the night to scope out these places for potential clients.
However, trucker communities typically caution against agreeing to their services. Even putting the legality of such an arrangement aside, the experience is rarely considered worth it when all is said and done.
CB Radios Are Still The Way For Drivers To Go
Despite living in an era of advanced communication technology, truck drivers often find solace in the traditional realm of CB radios.
Because of their nostalgic allure and inherent reliability, CB radios foster a sense of camaraderie among drivers, providing real-time updates on traffic, weather conditions, and potential hazards—a dependable lifeline on the open road.