Originally Posted by P A Frederick

Don't forget:

When on foot (which should be least often as possible) make sure you walk out in front of trucks driving through the parking lot. They have to slam on their brakes to stop for you, you're a pro, they're not.

Originally Posted by VPIDarkAngel

That first one happened to me this morning at Princeton, WV. It was a SuddenLink employee who stepped out in front of me, my truck, and 34,000lbs. of cheap junk. Not 30 minutes after this, one of his co-workers in a pickup pulls right out in front of a Valley Proteins tractor-trailer. The moron in the pickup was on his cell phone, too.

Here's another few.
When pulling up to the guard shack at a customer, take the truck out of gear and coast, especially when you're right behind someone in line. Also, shut off the engine before applying the parking brake (if at all). A 'pro' can keep the truck stopped without brakes. (Yes, this just happened to me at the distribution center this evening... Yes, he was on his cell phone too.)
When backing, never use the four-ways, never alert anyone behind you that you're about to back up on the CB (if there's anyone there), and never, EVER, under any circumstances, get out and look. (The same cell phone wielding idiot pulled that same stunt on the yard while I was inspecting my trailer.)

Originally Posted by P A Frederick

Don't forget:

When on foot (which should be least often as possible) make sure you walk out in front of trucks driving through the parking lot. They have to slam on their brakes to stop for you, you're a pro, their not.

When in the truck drive 50 mph through the truckstop parking lot. Those wusses trying to get inside or into a spot have to stop for a pro like you.

Take showers as little as possible. People can tell by your smell you're a pro.

Find something to complain about at every full service restaraunt. It doesn't matter what it is or if you're consistent, you're a pro and they should treat you as such. Also never tip after making a commotion about stupid stuff, they should tip you since you're a pro.

Walk out on the tab whenever possible and make the watress who's making $2 an hour pay for your meal. She owes it to a pro such as yourself.

Don't ever wait in line with the other, non pro drivers at a shipper/consignee. Rush to the front and demand they take you right then, even if your appointment is 3 hours from now or was 3 hours ago. You deserve to be loaded/unloaded before everyone else. Cursing and screaming will help solidify the fact that you are indeed a pro.

Whine and complain about every company out there except the one you work for (cause it's perfect) on every Internet message board, coffee shop, and on the cb. In three months when you decide to change jobs again (or are fired) promptly go to same locations and complain about how they are the worst in the business. Find another perfect job, repeat.

Originally Posted by Fredog

When in the truck drive 50 mph through the truckstop parking lot. and make SURE the jake is on high

Originally Posted by Kevin0915

After a year of being on the road, i have YET to hear anybody get on the CB and say, "excuse me everyone, i'm about to back up...." I've heard other drivers warn the driver backing up some guy is rounding the corner coming out of the fuel island at 30mph, or when another driver stops and stops the traffic behind him to allow another driver to back into their spot.

Originally Posted by allan5oh

This happens to me all the time in Wisconsin, I'm the truck being passed. I don't understand why light trucks always try to pass heavy trucks on the downhill side. Or better yet get to the top going 2 mph faster, and cut over right when I start to gain speed.

I always try to maintain my speed(not speed up too much downhill). But if there's no other traffic what's the point? I had one guy get upset with me because he started to pass me. Even before then I had the jake on full. Even with that I started gaining on him when he was just past my bumper. Boy did he get upset.

He thought I was playing games so I told him I was fully loaded and even had the jake on. Oh well.

It's pretty obvious when I'm fully loaded you can see the damn freight on the trailer. But it still happens. My truck rolls downhill easier then 95% of the trucks out there. I can catch up to loaded trucks when I'm only 60-70% of their weight.

Originally Posted by Flatbed

Make sure and tell everyone who will listen about your former experience as a Navy Seal/special ops/Delta Force/US Marshall etc... and when asked why you are driving a truck make sure to have a good story about how you put your supervisor in the hospital because of a disagreement.

I am continually amazed at how many drivers used to be in the black ops world.

Originally Posted by allan5oh

This happens to me all the time in Wisconsin, I'm the truck being passed. I don't understand why light trucks always try to pass heavy trucks on the downhill side. Or better yet get to the top going 2 mph faster, and cut over right when I start to gain speed.

I always try to maintain my speed(not speed up too much downhill). But if there's no other traffic what's the point? I had one guy get upset with me because he started to pass me. Even before then I had the jake on full. Even with that I started gaining on him when he was just past my bumper. Boy did he get upset.

He thought I was playing games so I told him I was fully loaded and even had the jake on. Oh well.

It's pretty obvious when I'm fully loaded you can see the damn freight on the trailer. But it still happens. My truck rolls downhill easier then 95% of the trucks out there. I can catch up to loaded trucks when I'm only 60-70% of their weight.

Originally Posted by VPIDarkAngel

While I admit that it's rare, it does happen, on occasion. I'm pretty sure I've done it a time or two, just to avoid confusion and collisions, but that's mostly in really crowded places, like the Troutville T/A.