Cityslicker
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FedEx Freight | Super Trucker Skills
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Cityslicker
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Couple points of correction, Franklin.
For the most part you are right. The only things I would disagree on.
1) studying the book does make you more knowlegable about the industry and more importantly the rules and regulations. I've used that knowledge to dispute many claims made by overzealous managers, dispatchers etc. Granted a lot of the info that you have to study is of little use, but you can never have too much knowledge, don't ya think?
2)The cost: Unless you win and collect the $1000 prize, the cost isn't very significant when you factor in the fact that participaition WILL make you a safer driver. Once you've been (and actually won), you'll be extra carefull in your daily driving to avoid any little accident. Even to the point of taking a different route to your destination because it's safer. Some may doubt this but ask anyone whose been and they'll tell ya that the closser it gets to the event the more cautious they are because almost ANY accident will keep you from competing.
I can understand some questioning the value of the competition, epecially with some layed off, pay cuts etc. But I think it probably is cost effective. Plus if you do it, it's for yourself, not so much fedex.
Just some thoughts... Feel free to flame
Oooh bigshot, you sound like you've won something before...lol
.
I'm not going to flame, but I need to explain.
First of all, if you want to see where you stack up with other drivers, and the company is ready to pay for that, go for it. If you think that your going will make you a better employee in the eyes of your short sighted managers, go for it, but don't be surprised if your attending doesn't mean squat.
What I find silly about the competion is that they do not take in real world situations. Putting your duals in between tennis balls with a scant 1/4 inch variance is not real world.
The courses are set up for speed. Few if any backing probems. Most of them are "pull through" problems and turning problems.
But whatever. There is very little incentive for a driver to give up a weekend to sit and wait for hours to run a 2 minute course. The divdends for his superiors in the eyes of their superiors is much more than any hope of winning.
But if you want to test yourself, just be aware that you may be giving points to your boss who you may feel is a bit less than worthless and in the end, he/she won't give a crap you were there unless you win.
Now...what exactly were you able to bring to the table from the book when confronting overzealous managers? What I understand is that the book deals with dates and acronyms. I guess if you're having a discussion on the actual dates that said committiee became said board, you are right.
No you can't have too much knowledge, but you have to guage what is worthwhile for the time you spend doing it. Do I want to know that in 1953 the Department of Labor turned over it's interest in trucking safety to the Department of Interior Truck Cab Design? No, not really.
How will my going to a TDC make me a safer driver? I mean really. What makes me a safe driver is doing my daily business. Getting out of my tractor to look. At the rodeo, you have to guage how close you are to a back stop line or a front stop line. In real life, I don't worry about how "close" I am to something, I take pains to make sure I'm NOT close to something in the first place. I'm a safer driver because I have to be not because of problems set up on a course. If you want to make it more real, use cars and buildings as the problems.
If your reason to become a safer driver is to compete in the TDC, fine. You should want to become a safer driver because that is the TRUE measure of a driver. You should never hesitate to do what is safe in your view, regardless of your elgibility to perform in the TDC. Believe me, when I'm backing into a tight and difficult area, the TDC isn't even in my mind.
According to ATA rules, if you're in your tractor, and you have an incident, you can't participate in the TDC. That's fine. But the fact that you can participate doesn't mean that you have attained some heroic status.
I don't mean to belittle those that want to compete. I'm just not one of you. Do it a couple of times to get it out of your system I guess.
Couple points of correction, Franklin.
For the most part you are right. The only things I would disagree on.
1) studying the book does make you more knowlegable about the industry and more importantly the rules and regulations. I've used that knowledge to dispute many claims made by overzealous managers, dispatchers etc. Granted a lot of the info that you have to study is of little use, but you can never have too much knowledge, don't ya think?
2)The cost: Unless you win and collect the $1000 prize, the cost isn't very significant when you factor in the fact that participaition WILL make you a safer driver. Once you've been (and actually won), you'll be extra carefull in your daily driving to avoid any little accident. Even to the point of taking a different route to your destination because it's safer. Some may doubt this but ask anyone whose been and they'll tell ya that the closser it gets to the event the more cautious they are because almost ANY accident will keep you from competing.
I can understand some questioning the value of the competition, epecially with some layed off, pay cuts etc. But I think it probably is cost effective. Plus if you do it, it's for yourself, not so much fedex.
Just some thoughts... Feel free to flame
I'm not going to flame, but I need to explain.
First of all, if you want to see where you stack up with other drivers, and the company is ready to pay for that, go for it. If you think that your going will make you a better employee in the eyes of your short sighted managers, go for it, but don't be surprised if your attending doesn't mean squat.
What I find silly about the competion is that they do not take in real world situations. Putting your duals in between tennis balls with a scant 1/4 inch variance is not real world.
The courses are set up for speed. Few if any backing probems. Most of them are "pull through" problems and turning problems.
But whatever. There is very little incentive for a driver to give up a weekend to sit and wait for hours to run a 2 minute course. The divdends for his superiors in the eyes of their superiors is much more than any hope of winning.
But if you want to test yourself, just be aware that you may be giving points to your boss who you may feel is a bit less than worthless and in the end, he/she won't give a crap you were there unless you win.
Now...what exactly were you able to bring to the table from the book when confronting overzealous managers? What I understand is that the book deals with dates and acronyms. I guess if you're having a discussion on the actual dates that said committiee became said board, you are right.
No you can't have too much knowledge, but you have to guage what is worthwhile for the time you spend doing it. Do I want to know that in 1953 the Department of Labor turned over it's interest in trucking safety to the Department of Interior Truck Cab Design? No, not really.
How will my going to a TDC make me a safer driver? I mean really. What makes me a safe driver is doing my daily business. Getting out of my tractor to look. At the rodeo, you have to guage how close you are to a back stop line or a front stop line. In real life, I don't worry about how "close" I am to something, I take pains to make sure I'm NOT close to something in the first place. I'm a safer driver because I have to be not because of problems set up on a course. If you want to make it more real, use cars and buildings as the problems.
If your reason to become a safer driver is to compete in the TDC, fine. You should want to become a safer driver because that is the TRUE measure of a driver. You should never hesitate to do what is safe in your view, regardless of your elgibility to perform in the TDC. Believe me, when I'm backing into a tight and difficult area, the TDC isn't even in my mind.
According to ATA rules, if you're in your tractor, and you have an incident, you can't participate in the TDC. That's fine. But the fact that you can participate doesn't mean that you have attained some heroic status.
I don't mean to belittle those that want to compete. I'm just not one of you. Do it a couple of times to get it out of your system I guess.
freightslave
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I agree. Thay want to write us up for am pm time cut our hours threaten to cut us off our regular runs. And then be proud to represent them?
If we work 4 hrs. on Friday then take off to go to the TDC. They pay us 4 hours. I live 19 miles away from were they hold the TDC. They still get me a hotel room and pay my expenses. I have been doing it for 9 yrs only came close once. I also did it when I worked for Crouse Cartage Company.
Franklin said:
1) My exp. has been that our center manager hates to deal with the TDC. Especially covering for those who take off. And if you will, there are a lot more days to be off.
2) As for knowledge... Yeah, the dates, acromyms, and hazmat parts get boring. But helpfull are things like, leagally a pretrip inspection takes as long as it takes. Same with securing the load. There can be no absolute "gate time"... reasonable goals yes . Also when asked to pull a dolly down the road behind a tractor (no lights, brakes etc.), Yeah this really happend... the answer is no. I could go on here the list would get really long.
3) If you've been before and really want to return to the competition, you will be more cautious. Almost every one I know who returns says the same thing, they are quite a bit more carefull with the event in mind. It is a byproduct of the event. Weather it's taking that extra pull up to be extra sure, or getting out and looking when unsure, or taking a different (safer) route to your next stop.
Most of your post was correct though, Franklin. Gotta run, See ya!
Colopurple
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I think Fed Ex should cancel all unnecessary expenditures until people get back to work.
imported_fedex slave
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Hey if I wreck during the rodeo is that counted as a preventable?
Super Chief
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Hey if I wreck during the rodeo is that counted as a preventable?
In our region, I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
imported_AxisTrick
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Yeah, but we're not travelling 65 mph at anytime during the competition. We all know there are many times during maneuvers that we have to get close to objects.... it actually takes the monotony out of everyday affairs. Plus, the competition will provide work at our barns for the less fortunate sitting at home much of the time when the participants go to states for two days...
Roadeo vs rodeo
The use of the word "Roadeo" was intentional. Do a google search, or , check out these links.Connecticut Professional Drivers Association , State Roadeo. There are many more. I am sure you get the picture.
The use of the word "Roadeo" was intentional. Do a google search, or , check out these links.Connecticut Professional Drivers Association , State Roadeo. There are many more. I am sure you get the picture.