I just realized a day or two ago that this has been National Truck Driver's Week. Thank-you! Thank-you! Thank-you! Roses aren't necessary, please, don't throw that tomato!
So, as you go down the highway, you encounter a semi. You see the head and face of the driver, but you know there's more there. What is he doing as he looks over that hood??
Well, he's constantly scanning his mirrors, the road, the array of gauges on his dash. He is keeping track of the other traffic around him. He's watching you! Should you no longer be in his range of vision, he'll wonder where you went. Did you crash? Are you in a blind spot??
Blind Spots are areas where visibility of traffic from behind the wheel isn't good. Directly behind his trailer, he can't see you for some distance. He may notice the shadow of your car on the road behind him, thus he knows you're there. Right beside his passenger side door is another blind spot. You're directly below his mirror, and below the plane of vision out the window. It's best to avoid blind spots if at all possible. Remember, if you can't see his face in his mirror, he can't see you either.
He, of course, must shift gears occasionally. His truck will have nine, ten, thirteen, fifteen, possibly eighteen gears. The truck becomes an extension of the man. He feels the truck. He feels the road beneath because of what he feels through the truck. Slippery road is noticed in an instant. He feels the joints in the road surface, believe it or not, but he feels his wheels running over a stray cat. Sometimes he'll notice a vibration he hasn't felt before. Usually, he'll diagnose the cause from right behind the wheel. Something in the driveshaft? That shimmying he feels might be a tire about to blow out. (slb woke right up with that shimmying stuff!
). Truly, man and machine are one. If not, he ain't no truck driver.
Of course, his radio will be playing. Talk radio, different music stations, or a CD will help pass the hours.
He is subject to different rules than you "civilian" drivers. Should his blood alcohol level exceed 0.04%, he is legally drunk behind that wheel, while you are legally drunk at 0.08%. He must log his daily activities, keep track of the hours worked. Should his working hours exceed seventy in the eight day period he is in, he must shut down and rest to regain working hours. At any time, his log book can be requested for scrutiny by any law enforcement official. Yep, even your favorite town cop can demand a peek at that book.
He possesses a CDL, which stands for Commercial Driver's License. He has had to pass written and driving tests to be awarded this ticket. Along with that, he has passed written tests for each endorsement. One of these is a test of knowledge of the air brake systems that are germain to trucks. If he hauls hazardous materials, an endorsement is required for that also. Tankers need one of their own, as well as the double and triple trailer hookups that are more common in the western parts of the country.
I, personally possess all endorsements, save for the hazardous material. I do not, nor have I ever hauled such stuff.
Behind the cab, rides a sleeper compartment. This not only has the bunk where the driver sleeps, it also may contain a small fridge for storing food. There are several compartments for keeping personal effects. It is hooked into the air conditioning and heating system of the cab, so these "houses" stay pretty comfy. There may also be a tv, small microwave, dvd player, or some such other gizmos to pass time while stopped.
The life of a truck driver looks much more glamorous than it is. The driver is often treated poorly by shippers and receivers alike. He is a necessary evil to be dealt with in the process of moving goods from one point to another. He is often made to wait until such time as it is deemed convenient to give him a spot to deal with his load.
Yes, this is the kind of man who is a visitor in his own home. He learns more about his family over the phone than he does in face to face contact.
He is, the American Trucker.
~B~
Doc Member
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