Quite A Productive Year (so Far)!
From Veteran Driver Days, our new Personal Mentor Program to our first Veteran Driver Hero award, 2016 is rockin!
Introducing Veteran Driver Days! Veteran Driver Member Arthur Boudreau kicked off our new program at MATS and we are pleased to report it was a huge success! The purpose of Veteran Driver Days is to humanize truck drivers to the general public, and bring awareness there is help for any newbie driver through dialogue and free coffee. We have more banners ready for the latter half of this year and plan to target rest areas and truck stops. So, bring your questions, and time to visit, we hope to see you soon!
CAN'T GET 3 TRUCKERS IN A ROOM TO AGREE ? WELL WE DID!
The bond we share as truck drivers runs deep. And we thought it was long overdue to organize what we agree upon as a baseline. Each of us has agreed to practice these ideals, and be the example.
1. We do not bright-light a passing truck to move over.
2. Others having trouble, offer assistance.
3. We take the time to get to know each other.
4. When a driver moves over to let you on, be courteous and check your speed until he is able to move back over.
5. Fuel islands are for fueling. Go park, if more time needed.
6. Use you CB to communicate danger, hazards, smokey bears, accidents and good food, be professional, no trash talk.
7. Center in your parking spot within the lines.
8. No racing through the parking lots.
9. A backing truck has the right away. Be patient, let him finish.
10. Look and act professional. To each other and the public.
11. Don't perpetuate negative terms like steering wheel holder.
12. Drive defensively, learn the Smith System, it works.
13. Don't tailgate each other or 4-wheelers.
14. The shoulder is for emergencies only.
15. Wear proper footwear (close-toed shoes).
16. When you are passing another governed truck, make sure the hammer lane is clear for at least a half a mile.
17. Don't rely on your GPS. Nothing replaces an Atlas and a phone call to the customer.
18. Never touch another driver's equipment. Period. There is nothing lower.
19. Do not get in between the O/S or heavy haulers and their pilot cars. Also shout out that you are coming around.
20. In the winter, wait a few extra seconds to pass to avoid the heaviest of the spray and slush.
And Now: MY MENTOR ! There are many situations our newbies just do not wish to interact on social media. That's when it's time for a personal touch. Look no further! We have dozens of experienced drivers willing to help you on the telephone. I have a newbie myself that drives for Schneider, and I can attest that it is a very rewarding experience!
VERY GENEROUS ! 15 Free OOIDA Memberships were given away by our own David Capps, and in his words, here is why: "As a life member of OOIDA, I believe in the mission to help trucking as a whole. This includes both company drivers and owner operators. And now I also challenge other OOIDA members to do the same."
An Extraordinary Act of Bravery: As our first recipient of our new Veteran Driver Hero Award, Rick Manning who pulls for Fed Ex demonstrated superb driving skills, courage and quick thinking that indeed saved lives in the following summary of accounts: Early March 2016, between Houston and San Antonio, Rick came upon a fresh accident. A fatality that involved a mini-van crossing over the lanes with debris strewn everywhere. With traffic behind him, next to him and nowhere else to go, he chose to hit the engine block laying in the travel lane, not knowing the outcome, throwing sparks, and dragging it until he could safely park his rig. In his words: "I felt my truck jump over the engine block and the sudden jolt hit my air ride seat so bad I lost the steering wheel for a second. I felt the fear and shock come over myself as I grabbed ahold of the steering wheel. My truck was swerving so badly and my driver side wheels were in the grass threshold of the median as I began to regain control of the truck, I checked my mirrors to move over to the shoulder and come to a safe stop. I got out of the truck shocked, confused, and wondering if I was even alive. Then began running back to the scene to see how I could assist. The man who was behind me came up to me and said I had saved his life, shook my hand and said I was a hero .
I said no, I was just doing my job."
Well, that was ONE HECK OF A
JOB Rick, VERY Well Done!