I'm not a trucker yet, going to start school on the 22nd or 29th of this month. I do have a story that can help you out a bit though. Like it was said, i'm sure you were nervous at first about driving a car. I'm also sure that you have been nervous about alot of things, and you feared all of the what if's. Did you overcome those fears? I'm sure you did. Everyone has fears about doing new things, but they overcome those fears by learning first, and then doing and gaining experiance, and that brings me to my story.
I had looked into skydiving for quite some time, and I was really nervous about jumping out of a plane. I talked to quite a few people about the sport, and learned how safe the sport really is, and then I decided to do it. I took the First Jump Course at a local skydiving center, and made my first jump. On the plane ride up, my stomach was twisting like crazy, and I wasn't sure why I decided to do jump. My time came to get out of the plane, and I let my training take over. I stepped to the door, checked with both of my instructors, counted off, and jumped out. It was the greatest feeling of my life, just jumping into the unknown. After I landed, I couldn't wait till I could jump again.
The moral of my story is: I had a fear, but it was something that I really wanted to do. So I put the fear aside, and just did it. I am really happy that I jumped, and I'm sure that if I didn't jump, I would still be wondering what it would be like.
So, my advice to you: If you really want to drive a truck, then apply for a truck driving school. While you are in the school, the instructors are there to provide you with the proper training, and to help you gain confidence in yourself with driving the truck. Once you have confidence with driving the truck, your fear of driving the truck will be gone. After that, all you have to do is remember your training, get advice from other drivers, and learn from your own experiances.
Sorry for the long post, just wanted to chime in and help out.
Jul 23, 2008 Rating
You'll Over Come That Fear... by: MiNuS...
Think when you first started driving your car...i'm sure you was kinda nervous at first...making sure your doing everything right and triple checking things...but i'm sure now when you jump into a car it's natural to you...you can do and think of tons of things while driving and not feel as though your going to crash...but the point i'm trying to make is that the more you do things...the more you'll understand how it works and get better at it...so at first i'm sure to others you'll have simple mistakes maybe on your log book or forgetting to connect air lines or something...but the driving part will have to come with experience...just take your time and try to always know what's ahead of you and to your sides...because unlike a car...you can't just drive until the person infront of you hits their brakes...in a truck...you take longer to stop...so you need to know what ahead might make someone stop...plus you'll be sittin up over cars so you'll get a good view..."that's why trucks merge in construction zones early cause they seen it like mileeeeeeees back lol"...plus when you got out with a trainer...his or her job is to train you and help you out...so starting out you won't be out there along traveling...
Jul 21, 2008 Rating
Should You be afraid to get out on the big road as a truck driver? by: The Crazy Trucker
Absolutely Not.
Hello Milton,
Man, It's naturally to be a little hesitant to jump into the unknown, even if you know a little about it. I understand its not the same as getting out there.
There probably is a much greater chance of something going wrong at a football game, or on your way to Walmart than something tragedy occurring to you as a truck driver. I can't lie, is it dangerous? yes it is. But not so much so that its something you stress about.
I been driving 10 years 1 million miles and yes 2 accidents, neither my fault. I am here able to respond to your question and about to get on the big road head to Kansas City in a little while.
Accidents can happen. Here are some things that I learned to best avoid getting caught up in them.'
#1 If you get sleepy pull it over. If you are not at a safe place, pull over real quick and do some push ups and jumping jacks to get a little energy and then pull off as soon as you can and take 45 min. nap if you need to.
#2 Always try to allow yourself a cushion when traveling down the highway. Don't drive in a crowd. This gives you a better vision of what's happening farther ahead and all around. You react to what you see happening and not to someone elses reaction.
#3 If you are the worrying type, I see you are also the Christian type. Let the worries go man. Say a Prayer before your trips and let God have it.
Think about it man, if God got your back what is there to worry about.
The way I look at it, if its my time to go, then its, my time. So I don't worry about dying or the what if's much.
I just try not to do nothing stupid to test the whole thing! Lol you know I am not gonna jump out in front of a moving train with my chest out! haha
So that's my advice man. Don't worry. Pray and let it go. It's not as bad as the news makes it. Think about it hundreds of thousands of truck moving everyday. Our drivers are the safest on the road contrary to popular belief. Any truck driver and even AAA will tell you that.
PURSUE YOUR DREAMS MILTON
If you don't you will always wonder about what if I had became a driver. 10 years from now you'll be saying to yourself. I wonder what it would have been like if I had done it. You don't want that.
PURSUE YOUR DREAMS.
If its not meant to be, something will happen to keep you from finishing truck driving school. Or the companies will find reasons not to hire you.
If work toward your dreams and God lets you make it to the big road...
