Um. I think I'm going to hire a driver for my bus

[HighTechRedneck]

A bus nut friend, Dan McMurphy, lost both legs just above the knee when his Eagle hit the back of a tractor trailer (box trailer).  He was in tight traffic around Atlanta near rush hour.  No matter what the traffic around you is doing, it is vital to ensure that you have adequate stopping space in front of you.  People will pull into it, that is a driving fact of life. But as the person riding the business end of a 15-25 ton sledge hammer, it is in your best interest to back off again, over and over as needed.  And of course, whenever possible, plan your trip to avoid rush hour traffic near big cities.

[Oonrahnjay]

Scott   If you are going to hire a driver I believe the ex Cat bus driver is available.

uncle ned 

      Seems to me that hittin' somethin' is almost preferable!   

[Scott & Heather]

High tech, so true. Good to pause every so often and just realize the kinetic energy stored up in a bus and realize that as a driver we ARE part of the crumple zone. Slow and easy.


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[Jon]

If I had a cannon to shoot at every driver that "stole" my safety zone for stopping I would need a large trailer to hold the shells.

I assume car drivers that cut in too close are just ignorant, but when a trucker does it he is stupid because he should know better.

[Charles Seaton]

Jon,

Have you noticed that the percentage of "stupid" truckers HAS increased over the past several years?  Far more unprofessionalism than ever before,

- Seaton

[Tikvah]

Have you noticed that the percentage of "stupid" truckers HAS increased over the past several years?  Far more unprofessionalism than ever before,

I agree.  I used to consider the truckers to be respectable.  The safest drivers on the road.  Now, I fear their recklessness as much as any driver.  They are equally as guilty of texting, wandering, and overall dangerous handling as any cars. 
True that some still take their big rigs seriously, but too many are getting sloppy.

Dave

[Scott & Heather]

I've noticed this too. Pro drivers took their work seriously...we are starting to see a trend towards just the opposite. We spend a ton of time on the road (45,000 miles a year between the truck and the bus) and a bunch of time at truck stops and I've seen a gradual decline in trucker politeness and professionalism. The latest sad trend is truckers angrily (flipping the bird and cursing) pulling their air horns at fuel pump lines.


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[TomC]

Even though my truck conversion is a cabover, you sit at least 3 ft higher than a bus and there is a full frame under neath. It helps, but still the best is not to get into a rear ender with a truck or bus. Good Luck, TomC

[Jon]

We got our first Prevost in 1990 when very few were professional motor home conversions. Despite being a motor home the truck drivers of that time treated us with respect and we reciprocated. But back then we did not have as much in the form of distractions. Today it seems everyone has all kinds of devices that drivers seem compelled to play with while they should be driving.

But it is not only the devices which contribute to inconsistent speeds or failure to stay in lane. I think there is a basic lack of driver skills. Why does a trucker need to clear my bumper by a few feet and simultaneously swing in front of me while turning on the turn signal? When I watch them trying to back in at a truck stop it is scary. Notice the bent front bumpers and the full length scrapes down the trailer side. Look at the cracked or broken fenders and gas tank covers. And if you have the stomach for it, listen to the CB and hear these geniuses.

Then there is the complete lack of courtesy. Not only allowing space in front, or hogging the fast lane, but the obvious signs they just don't care about others such as pulling into a fuel island, not to get fuel but to get something from the store. They tie up a fuel island, slowing drivers who are trying to make money while they save a few steps of walking.

[bobofthenorth]

There are very few "professional" drivers left on the road.  Most of them have been replaced by steering wheel holders.  Deregulation turned truck driving from a profession into an entry level position. Call me racist but too many drivers are recent immigrants.  The fact that you have a pulse and can recognize a stop sign shouldn't be sufficient qualifications for employment but too often it is.  I used to love driving between 11 PM and 6 AM because there were mainly pro drivers on the road at night.  Now they're all parked in the truck stops watching TV in the bunk and my night vision is going so I can't take advantage of the empty highways.

[MB LeMirage]

One of the problems with the crop of Drivers over the last few years is the fact that they have made trucks so easy to drive, that there is no longer any pride in being a rig pilot. They are being made so that anybody can drive them just like their pick up. Manufactures are so focused on the car like ride with automatics, and driver aids that they can put just about anybody who has ever dreamt of being a "pro" driver behind the wheel. Out here the profession is being treated as a job bank for every poor soul on government assistance. As long as you can drive a car, thats all the employment office cares about. They pump them through crappy driving schools that last 2 weeks, stick them in a truck and let them loose on the public. It's a dam shame that it has become hard to find a good driver let alone a Pro these days. And lets not get started on courtesy. When I first started in this industry the drivers wer polite to each other out on the road and helpful/mindful of all the regular vehicles out there. Now I cant even get my guys to talk to or help each other out let alone anyone else out on the road.
Touchy subject these days.

[Dave5Cs]

So a Trucker cut me off a few days ago on I-10. I see him at a Love's getting fuel next to me. I said don't you worry about the 50K lbs behind you when you cut people off like you did to me back there. He says no I was in a hurry to get fuel? I say that that is a lot of weight behind you that normally comes forward or to the side and wipes out a bunch of people or you yourself fast. He says nope don't worry about it I am a good driver and as far as all the weight behind me that is why I don't worry because it is behind me? I had to stop listening because there was not a 2 x 4 around to beat him with.

Dave5Cs

[Jon]

Dave,

I was awed by the fact you would even talk to him. Even more so by the fact you didn't hit him after his comments.

Maybe it is my age showing, but morons like that are clueless and I find myself wanting to shoot them so I try to practice restraint. Besides my wife has likely already screamed enough for both of us as well as given them the finger.

[buswarrior]

Behaviour is behaviour, whether on the road, in the store, passing on the sidewalk, in the halls of legislative power...

Best just get on down the road, don't ascribe anyone's driving behaviour as having any meaning or nefarious selfish purpose, or you'll surely go mad?

The fear that drove those old days is not missed....

Great Depression, failed crops, famine, no aid, millions of war dead, undiagnosed PTSD, regular beatings - physical, emotional and economic, from those in authority...

No one automatically follows anymore, post Kennedy/Watergate/Jim Jones/church sex scandals/civil rights/horrific miscarriages of justice/lying in court/the Kardashions...

Is widespread "respect for others" possible anymore?

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[lostagain]

I drive a lot of miles both in Canada and the US, in our private cars and pickups, the bus, and commercial trucks. And I find most drivers to be good, safe and courteous. Sure the odd one tail gates or cuts me off, or shows me the finger. But most of it has to do with me being relaxed and staying back, not pushing. You should not blame the other drivers if you are driving aggressively yourself. I am in Fort Worth now with the bus, after driving 3 days to get here, and I had nothing but a good experience on the road. You can't blame other drivers for your troubles. Nobody will admit to being a bad driver, even myself, ha ha. Telling a story about a bad truck driver is one thing, but bashing truck drivers is bad. They are no worse than the average RV driver...

JC


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