First and foremost a Capital Logistics driver is a seasoned Professional.

 

What is a Professional Truck Driver?

A professional truck driver is all of the above, and more. You see, professional truck drivers shouldn't even be called that. They should simply be called "professional drivers." Why? Because being a professional driver has nothing to do with the type of vehicle a person is driving, and everything to do with the mentality of the driver. Allow me to explain...

Often times, we see truck drivers who are simply 4-wheelers driving a truck. They have big egos. They feel like they must prove something by tailgating, blocking cars or trucks from merging or changing lanes, flipping their middle fingers, yelling on the CB radio, speeding, tailgating, not using their turn signal, and other things you'd expect from people who are not professional in their driving, or in the mannerisms. These might be truck drivers, and heck, they might even have millions of safe miles under their belts. But it doesn't make them professional.

 

True Professional Drivers are Always Professional

We all have our moments out there on the roadways when we just can't take anymore. But a true professional driver leaves his or her ego at home. They don't try to teach people a lesson. They don't try to let somebody know when they've done something wrong by tailgating, honking, or blocking the flow of traffic.

 

When somebody cuts off a professional driver, the professional simply slows down to increase his following distance without getting angry. When somebody races down a lane that's going to merge, a professional will let that person in, even if they don't "deserve" to be let in. When somebody is driving too slow, a professional keeps their distance and never tailgates. When a professional is the one being tailgated, he simply goes about his business, or even assists in allowing the tailgater to pass.Being professional is all a frame of mind. None of these things require that one drives a truck and being a truck driver doesn't make anyone a professional driver by default. It only requires a professional mentality. In fact, we see plenty of professional 4-wheelers all the time (professional drivers tend to attract other professionals somehow).

 

Professional Drivers are Safe Drivers

When truck drivers have this mentality, they can't help but to be safer drivers. A driver who remains calm and drives using their head instead of their emotions will almost always come out on top. Sure, you might let a few jerks "win" by allowing them to cut into traffic or make stupid moves.  But who cares? That's what being professional is all about. Doing what is safe, even if it doesn't seem right or fair. Everyday truck drivers see plenty of stupidity on the roads. That's because most drivers aren't professionals. As truck drivers, it's part of our job to be professional and protect the public. Only allowing people to make maneuvers when it's "fair for everyone" is a childish and unprofessional mentality.

 

Be a Happier Driver

Don't fall into the "police" mentality where you decide what others should or shouldn't do. Don't try to play "judge" where you sentence dumb drivers by blocking them or otherwise punishing them. Don't try to play "traffic controller" where you decide the flow of traffic. Instead, simply drive one vehicle at a time...yours...and let everyone else drive their own.

Expect unprofessional drivers will do dumb things. Try to predict when a driver is going to do something stupid, and take action before it happens by leaving enough space so they can make their stupid move. Leave your ego at home and never drive with your emotions. We guarantee if you do these things, you'll be a much happier driver and will suffer far less stress. I also guarantee that being a professional driver will not waste much, if any, of your precious time.

As a professional, you have enough on your plate trying to drive your own vehicle. Let the unprofessionals drive theirs and simply adjust to them. You aren't going to teach them a thing, and will only succeed in increasing your own stress level by trying to do so.

So relax. And of course, drive safely!

 

 

1. PLAN AHEAD     Know your route, know your stops, where you will eat, park, sleep, and fuel “A PLANNED DAY IS A PRODUCTIVE DAY”. This is the most important truck driving tip of them all.

2. CALL AHEAD     Contact the customer or shipper. Find out any specific truck driving details, detours, hours, parking on site, etc… Keep them informed of your progress and especially if there is any delays in your trip.

3. CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT     Check everything, every time. Check your trucking load, check your tractor, trailer, handcarts, everything. If you were flying on an airplane, you would definitely want the pilot to “pre-trip” everything before taking flight.

4. LOG IT AS YOU RUN IT     Log everything during your truck driving as it happens. Remember that when you are stopped by DOT, one of the very first things that they will request from you is your log book, and if it is current, neat and legible, many times the inspection will end there.

5. BE PROFESSIONAL     You are a PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER, you need to present yourself to everyone as a professional, and you will be treated as a professional in return. This is not only a truck driver tip but a tip for any profession.

6. LOOK SHARP     Dress for success, and definitely wear appropriate or required clothing and personal truck driving protection equipment. If you dress like a bum, and act like a bum, chances are great that you will be treated as a bum.

7. PAPERWORK     Attention to details, keeping accurate and detailed records are part of being a professional. These records could provide support to get compensated, or to show proof of delivery. We recommend keeping records of everything, and copies of everything for a minimum of 2 years. Make sure all BOLs have three (3) signatures on them: (1.) Driver, (2.) Shipper & (3.) Consignee.

8. ACCOUNTABILITY     Be accountable for your truck driving profession, and your work. I recommend taking pictures of the load, and documenting everything in your paperwork. Take responsibility for your actions, and be honest with others, and yourself. If you damaged the freight strapping it down, admit to it. If you did not check your load, then take responsibility when you get to the customer with the wrong load or freight.

9. DRIVE FOR THE CONDITIONS     Just because the speed limit sign posted says 70 miles per hour does not mean that you MUST maintain 70 mph. If it is raining and your traction is compromised, or there is fog and your visibility is reduced, slow down and drive for the conditions.

10. LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PICTURE BEFORE MAKING A DECISION     Many times we hear drivers leaving one carrier to work for another for an extra .02 cents per mile. If the other carrier is paying you a little more, make certain that they will be able to provide you the same miles per day/week, or the increase in pay is irrelevant. Also look at home time, equipment, utilization and load quality, not just how much am I getting paid per mile, and how fast does the truck go.

 

Remember, truck drivers are the backbone of our company and our country simply can not operate without them. Lets be the true professionals this industry requires.