Reply to Rob


"RobZip" <whoknows@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:cpEkf.9373$lh.9101@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> "gpsman" <gpsman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1133652347.264218.319420@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> I object to his assertions that he achieved "veteran" status in a
>> matter of 6 short months having driven (-his- questionable assertion)
>> less than 4 seasons! That confirmed to the group the fact that he's a
>> moron.
>
> Ya know, I've been driving commercially a little less than 3 years, mostly
> dry van and reefers with loads varying from very light to max weight. I've
> driven in all seasons and all terrains in varying degrees of weather
> intensity. There's been a few times in bad snow/ice and intense summer
> downpours that I've pulled it off the road and waited for conditions to
> improve.
>
> I haven't seen it all but I've seen enough - enough to know when my
> practical limit of skill and experience has been reached and how to
> recognize that limit well ahead of exceeding it. With every extreme
> encountered usually comes a new situation where 'proceed with caution'
> becomes the ticket to learning to handle a difficult situation instead of
> being bitten by it.
>
> For anyone starting out who would view 3 years of incident free driving as
> veteran status, I still consider myself a newbie. I don't brag or
> cocka-doodle-doo about my accomplishments. Every success I have is based
> on
> the experiences and sometimes the misfortunes of those who have gone
> before
> me. To them I owe gratitude for the opportunity to learn something that
> keeps me and those around me safe.
>
> I'm going out tonight in 3-4 inches of new wet snow that is still lazily
> drifting down as I type this. I seriously doubt that both of tonights
> loads
> will be on time. The road I run is less than ideal for big trucks even in
> clear dry weather. ( In particular the section of US 33 between Ft. Wayne,
> In and Ligonier, IN comes to mind. Narrow, hilly, curvy..)
> Tonight the challenge will be to simply arrive at some point, complete the
> job without damage or injury and go home.
> If things get too dicey, I'm not above telling the dispatcher to run it
> himself if he's feeling braver than me. I'm at a point in life where I
> have
> nothing to prove to anyone. One ill advised risk that results in an
> accident
> totally wipes away all that I've managed to do safely thus far.
>
> Despite my attitude and experiences in my short time behind the wheel, I
> still feel that I know about enough to be dangerous at times. I'm at the
> mercy of the elements and those around me. I look forward to tonight with
> humble thanks for all that others have taught me to help prepare for the
> conditions I'll encounter and a short prayer for protection.


Cool Rob,

That "veteran" stuff was more to say I had been driving over 1 year. What
would you call it then. And don't say "wannabe."

Brag? You call someone that post about pulling a 100+ foot long load
bragging? I just thought I was being informative.

As for Safety Awards, I've had a few, but then again too few to mention.
:-) Hmmm, after that, I guess I could say "I did it my way." <VBG>


.

Loading