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What Makes The Best Trucker?

sbleich23 said:
Outside of any sort of competition, how would you determine what separates the best drivers from the rest of them?

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showing up for your shift on time or even a bit earlier.

being well groomed, and dressed neatly, not like a slob in ripped jeans and flip flops, or a dirty T-shirt.

a shaved face, or at the very least, a well trimmed beard if you have one.

being respectful to everyone you make contact with, as YOU DO represent your company, just as soon as your steer tires get onto the customers property.

doing as good a pre-trip (and post trip inspection if YOUR company REQUIRES a post trip)

making sure that you jot down any damages and report them BEFORE you drive off your terminal yard.

keeping the equipment you are using or assigned, clean, neat and smelling ood, but you do not have to go over board and do a spic and span cleaning.

making sure any and ALL paper work is done NEATLY and is easily read by anyone who needs to read it.

keeping with in the speed limits and obeying all traffic devices.

staying off the cell phone or texting device while driving.

in other words, drive the truck as a PROFESSIONAL and not like an ass or maniac.

when you finish your shift, do what is required to store your equipment away, if that means fuel it up, sweep it out (trailer, if you stay hooked up to the same trailer like i did), post trip inspection (some employers still want that done), sweep out the cab, properly park the equipment where it is SUPPOSED to be parked.

many more "little things", make one the "best" and makes that person "stand out", from all the others. the driving part is only a very small percentage of what makes a driver.
 
pro1driver said:
showing up for your shift on time or even a bit earlier.

being well groomed, and dressed neatly, not like a slob in ripped jeans and flip flops, or a dirty T-shirt.

a shaved face, or at the very least, a well trimmed beard if you have one.

being respectful to everyone you make contact with, as YOU DO represent your company, just as soon as your steer tires get onto the customers property.

doing as good a pre-trip (and post trip inspection if YOUR company REQUIRES a post trip)

making sure that you jot down any damages and report them BEFORE you drive off your terminal yard.

keeping the equipment you are using or assigned, clean, neat and smelling ood, but you do not have to go over board and do a spic and span cleaning.

making sure any and ALL paper work is done NEATLY and is easily read by anyone who needs to read it.

keeping with in the speed limits and obeying all traffic devices.

staying off the cell phone or texting device while driving.

in other words, drive the truck as a PROFESSIONAL and not like an ass or maniac.

when you finish your shift, do what is required to store your equipment away, if that means fuel it up, sweep it out (trailer, if you stay hooked up to the same trailer like i did), post trip inspection (some employers still want that done), sweep out the cab, properly park the equipment where it is SUPPOSED to be parked.

many more "little things", make one the "best" and makes that person "stand out", from all the others. the driving part is only a very small percentage of what makes a driver.
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pro1driver said:
showing up for your shift on time or even a bit earlier.

being well groomed, and dressed neatly, not like a slob in ripped jeans and flip flops, or a dirty T-shirt.

a shaved face, or at the very least, a well trimmed beard if you have one.

being respectful to everyone you make contact with, as YOU DO represent your company, just as soon as your steer tires get onto the customers property.

doing as good a pre-trip (and post trip inspection if YOUR company REQUIRES a post trip)

making sure that you jot down any damages and report them BEFORE you drive off your terminal yard.

keeping the equipment you are using or assigned, clean, neat and smelling ood, but you do not have to go over board and do a spic and span cleaning.

making sure any and ALL paper work is done NEATLY and is easily read by anyone who needs to read it.

keeping with in the speed limits and obeying all traffic devices.

staying off the cell phone or texting device while driving.

in other words, drive the truck as a PROFESSIONAL and not like an ass or maniac.

when you finish your shift, do what is required to store your equipment away, if that means fuel it up, sweep it out (trailer, if you stay hooked up to the same trailer like i did), post trip inspection (some employers still want that done), sweep out the cab, properly park the equipment where it is SUPPOSED to be parked.

many more "little things", make one the "best" and makes that person "stand out", from all the others. the driving part is only a very small percentage of what makes a driver.
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Get off my beard. We are hiring freak shows with piercings and tattoos everywhere. Blue hair. Man. Get off my beard.

Following any one companies idea of housekeeping doesn't make a good driver.

Show me a million or more safely operated miles. And that's an awesome driver. He's doing all the important things right.
 
highspeeds said:
Get off my beard. We are hiring freak shows with piercings and tattoos everywhere. Blue hair. Man. Get off my beard.

Following any one companies idea of housekeeping doesn't make a good driver.

Show me a million or more safely operated miles. And that's an awesome driver. He's doing all the important things right.
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I have almost 2.8 million.
Over half of that without mirrors, or visors....
 
highspeeds said:
Get off my beard. We are hiring freak shows with piercings and tattoos everywhere. Blue hair. Man. Get off my beard.

Following any one companies idea of housekeeping doesn't make a good driver.

Show me a million or more safely operated miles. And that's an awesome driver. He's doing all the important things right.
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and that's what's wrong with the hiring process of any company. try getting a job looking/dressed like that in corporate America.

to have no self respect to be clean shaven or neatly trimmed, to have facial piercings or facial tattoos, does not make for a good long lasting first impression when dealing with customers.

as drivers were always represented our company. to look like an unkempt slob speaks volumes of not only the person, but the company.

when i ran the repair shop, years before i got into driving, i made it MY business to hire well groomed mechanics and gas jockeys. i did not want my customers seeing, then thinking/believing that the work inside the shop was a reflection of the way the workers looks....SLOPPY....!!!

in my state back then (it may have changed since) an employer HAD THE RIGHT to tell an employee how to look. in other words, I DID order them to get a hair cut, shave, and no ear ring, when men back then only wore ONE ear ring not 2 like today.

i DID have an applicant come in for a job pumping gas. he had long hair. I TOLD HIM, that IF hired he'd have to get it cut.

i told him NOT to do anything NOW, as i am going thru applications and by week's end, i'd be making calls...

well he went and got a haircut, but i had decided earlier that anyone not presentable at application time, the application was going to be tossed away, and it was.

he came in on that Friday to inquire about his chances for the job, all well groomed...

i told him, that earlier that morning, i made a decision and made the phone call.

he walked out disappointed.

too bad, he looked like a slob coming to me for a job.
 
pro1driver said:
and that's what's wrong with the hiring process of any company. try getting a job looking/dressed like that in corporate America.

to have no self respect to be clean shaven or neatly trimmed, to have facial piercings or facial tattoos, does not make for a good long lasting first impression when dealing with customers.

as drivers were always represented our company. to look like an unkempt slob speaks volumes of not only the person, but the company.

when i ran the repair shop, years before i got into driving, i made it MY business to hire well groomed mechanics and gas jockeys. i did not want my customers seeing, then thinking/believing that the work inside the shop was a reflection of the way the workers looks....SLOPPY....!!!

in my state back then (it may have changed since) an employer HAD THE RIGHT to tell an employee how to look. in other words, I DID order them to get a hair cut, shave, and no ear ring, when men back then only wore ONE ear ring not 2 like today.

i DID have an applicant come in for a job pumping gas. he had long hair. I TOLD HIM, that IF hired he'd have to get it cut.

i told him NOT to do anything NOW, as i am going thru applications and by week's end, i'd be making calls...

well he went and got a haircut, but i had decided earlier that anyone not presentable at application time, the application was going to be tossed away, and it was.

he came in on that Friday to inquire about his chances for the job, all well groomed...

i told him, that earlier that morning, i made a decision and made the phone call.

he walked out disappointed.

too bad, he looked like a slob coming to me for a job.
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At this point. Unemployment is really low. You can’t afford to turn people away because of appearances that that wouldn’t pass military inspection. Our HR lady has a full sleeve. Times have changed. In this atmosphere. You would be the one without a job. As your boss would replace you with someone capable of hiring people. Many of us have made complaints and where told to shut up and mind our own business. That old school thought process isn’t going to work any more. It’s all about acceptance.

So, I wear my big Santa Claus beard. And they dress up like girls. Whatever.
 
highspeeds said:
At this point. Unemployment is really low. You can’t afford to turn people away because of appearances that that wouldn’t pass military inspection. Our HR lady has a full sleeve. Times have changed. In this atmosphere. You would be the one without a job. As your boss would replace you with someone capable of hiring people. Many of us have made complaints and where told to shut up and mind our own business. That old school thought process isn’t going to work any more. It’s all about acceptance.

So, I wear my big Santa Claus beard. And they dress up like girls. Whatever.
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the employment situation comes and goes in cycles, always did.
 
highspeeds said:
Get off my beard. We are hiring freak shows with piercings and tattoos everywhere. Blue hair. Man. Get off my beard.

Following any one companies idea of housekeeping doesn't make a good driver.

Show me a million or more safely operated miles. And that's an awesome driver. He's doing all the important things right.
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Don't forget about the one that can't decide which bathroom to use.
 
highspeeds said:
... That old school thought process isn’t going to work any more. It’s all about acceptance...
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Leading to major societal problems. Que(er) Georgie. One goes to work for an employer to receive pay. That pay is earned for not only the work, but also for adhering to company rules. This “inmates running the prison” mentality does little but diminish good employee morale & bring into question company morality. Neither are good for business.
 
Just don't be one of those "super truckers" that doesn't even realize he's driving a long nose because it's hard to see the end of the hood let alone the road when you're slouched down and have your seat resting on the floor......plus the chain on your wallet will pick up moisture off the floor in inclimate weather causing it to rust.
 
pro1driver said:
the employment situation comes and goes in cycles, always did.
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Yeah. And societal boundaries ebb and flow. I get it. Loving being able to wear a beard though. And with the freaks in the world now a days. I actually get a lot of compliments on my furriness. So, for me. It's nice that things aren't as strict as they used to be in that regard.

I maintain my original statement. How you clean the truck or yourself doesn't make you a good driver. It may be helpful in finding good drivers, to look for these traits. Because they indicate " give a damn ". But the best groomed driver with the shiniest ride ain't worth lick. If they can't control and maneuver the vehicle or find and or fix mechanical defects.

Show me millions of safely operated miles. Proof is in the pudding.
 
White said:
Leading to major societal problems. Que(er) Georgie. One goes to work for an employer to receive pay. That pay is earned for not only the work, but also for adhering to company rules. This “inmates running the prison” mentality does little but diminish good employee morale & bring into question company morality. Neither are good for business.
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Problem is the inmates are running the country. And the company must adhere to the law of the land or face lawsuits for discrimination and who knows what else.
 
kboomarang said:
Just don't be one of those "super truckers" that doesn't even realize he's driving a long nose because it's hard to see the end of the hood let alone the road when you're slouched down and have your seat resting on the floor......plus the chain on your wallet will pick up moisture off the floor in inclimate weather causing it to rust.
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Funny. So many different types of drivers out there. I work for an LTL. I drive a tiny little under powered day cab. On purpose. I get into some tight spots. And it helps. I could have bid a different tractor. Didn't want it. But this cab is so uncomfortable. I put the seat all the way down and all the way back and lean it as far as it will go, all the way to the back wall. And if I hit a few of these bridge joints just right. I'm hitting the ceiling. LOL It's not an old Ford. Where I'm pinned between the engine hump and the door hanging onto that huge old school steering wheel. It's got some plusses we didn't have back then. But when I read your post. It just reminded me. This used to be so much more difficult. I would carry a mess of tools. Just in case. Now. I got a pair of vice grips and a 3 pound hammer. If it takes more than that. Send a wrecker.

Things have been dumbed down. And it's for the better. It's harder to mess up. All the ELD stuff has made running illegal very difficult. I would guess very few are still running wild out there with three log books and zero sleep. I don't want to sound like the old guy that thinks things were better the way they used to be. We romanticize an older era. And we appreciate the journey. But that don't mean we want to have to go and do it again. LOL And while you are staying off my beard. STAY OFF MY LAWN !!!
 
highspeeds said:
Things have been dumbed down. And it's for the better. It's harder to mess up. All the ELD stuff has made running illegal very difficult.
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so you think the "dumbing down" is good? for jobs? for America? for our society? for trucking?

no thank you, i wish not to be surrounded by dumb people.

i wish not to be surrounded by Rhodes Scholars nor Yale, Oxford, Harvard, Princeton, nor Notre Dame educated people either, (as many can be snobbish towards us ordinary people).......just ordinary people like many of us here, that have the intelligence to know right from wrong, and to owe up to thier mistakes, and not pass it off onto someone else.

i will not rehash the years i ran a garage and my demands, yes demands for well groomed workers, that represented my company, but if not you, then certainly many others here got that point, of looking, smelling clean, rather than look like a slovenly fool. meaning, no tats showing, no facial piercings, no ear lobe holes, no long hair, clean work clothes, no rips, tears, or missing buttons. well trimmed beards.

and i have no lawn, so i cannot yell "stay off my lawn" to the moronic kids as they walk to school each day.
 
pro1driver said:
so you think the "dumbing down" is good? for jobs? for America? for our society? for trucking?

no thank you, i wish not to be surrounded by dumb people.

i wish not to be surrounded by Rhodes Scholars nor Yale, Oxford, Harvard, Princeton, nor Notre Dame educated people either, (as many can be snobbish towards us ordinary people).......just ordinary people like many of us here, that have the intelligence to know right from wrong, and to owe up to thier mistakes, and not pass it off onto someone else.

i will not rehash the years i ran a garage and my demands, yes demands for well groomed workers, that represented my company, but if not you, then certainly many others here got that point, of looking, smelling clean, rather than look like a slovenly fool. meaning, no tats showing, no facial piercings, no ear lobe holes, no long hair, clean work clothes, no rips, tears, or missing buttons. well trimmed beards.

and i have no lawn, so i cannot yell "stay off my lawn" to the moronic kids as they walk to school each day.
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You don't get it. And you sure sound like management. Which you claim to be. So you never will. Why are you on trucking boards anyway ?
 
highspeeds said:
You don't get it. And you sure sound like management. Which you claim to be. So you never will. Why are you on trucking boards anyway ?
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formerly a mechanic/manager in my younger years.

then truck driver, for over 30 years.

and also a truck driver instructor at 2 schools in my area for about 4 years.

if you ever took the time to read my thread....https://www.truckingboards.com/bb/threads/career-ending-operation.58735/

then you would know that i have had a career in trucking.

satisfied now...???
 
pro1driver said:
formerly a mechanic/manager in my younger years.

then truck driver, for over 30 years.

and also a truck driver instructor at 2 schools in my area for about 4 years.

if you ever took the time to read my thread....https://www.truckingboards.com/bb/threads/career-ending-operation.58735/

then you would know that i have had a career in trucking.

satisfied now...???
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I don't have the motivation to read every post you have ever made to understand the one post that I read. If that is your requisite. Then I can put you on ignore so I don't have to see your posts. And we can not worry about it.

In 30 years of driving. How many millions of safe miles did you have ?

How is it that after 30 years, and with having driven back in the day when things were considerably tougher, can you use appearance as the key component or metric in asserting who is a good driver ? Ever hear you can't polish a turd ? I saw mythbusters do it on a TV program. But even though they did manage to polish it. It was still a turd.

Show me millions of safe miles. I will show you a damn good driver.
 
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