How Does a Truck Driver Spend a Workday?
Being a professional truck driver doesn't mean all you do is drive, although that's a big part. Before any trucker gets out on the roadway, he or she must do a PTI--a pre-trip inspection. A detailed list is determined by government regulations, and the rigorous inspection of the truck is to discover and repair a problem tire or worn leaf spring before driving. Truck drivers walk all the way around the rig, checking bumper to bumper and under the hood, making sure there are no problems with the air brakes or trailer as well.
After the PTI, the driver catches up her log, filling out information, including how many hours she's spent sleeping and when she refueled last. Truckers have to carry this updated information with them at all times and be ready to hand their logbooks to a Department of Transportation officer whenever an officer asks to see them.
Next, most truckers call dispatch to let the trucking company know how far along the shipment is, if the trucker is going to be on time to deliver, or to find out if dispatch has another shipment waiting to be picked up. Truckers call ahead for directions to warehouses and to learn whether they need special items like decking bars or heavy-duty straps to hold a shipment securely in place.
Once the truck driver is underway, she either drives a certain number of allowed hours, or to her next stop. According to hours of service rules, a truck driver may only drive for a total of 1 hours a day. There are lots of regulations for how many breaks a truck driver may take and when her workday must start all over again. Most truck drivers today go to school to learn both how to drive a truck and to stay within the rules.
Pulling into the place where he makes his delivery, the truck driver will have called ahead and asked whether the dock workers are ready for the shipment. Backing to a dock in the middle of other trucks and forklifts moving freight can be very challenging, and truck drivers spend a great deal of time carefully getting the truck settled into place. Once the load is either off his truck or a new one is put on board and secured, the truck driver leaves and goes to the next delivery or out onto the open road, watching traffic and constantly checking the mirrors.
On the road, a truck driver stops when his or her schedule allows time to eat, get a shower and go to the bathroom. Remember, each stop must be logged as well as each delivery or pick up. Most truck drivers listen to music or the radio while they drive, and many have hands-free phone systems to talk to their family and friends at home. Being a truck driver means you'll see a lot of different sights and meet people from every state.
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After the PTI, the driver catches up her log, filling out information, including how many hours she's spent sleeping and when she refueled last. Truckers have to carry this updated information with them at all times and be ready to hand their logbooks to a Department of Transportation officer whenever an officer asks to see them.
Next, most truckers call dispatch to let the trucking company know how far along the shipment is, if the trucker is going to be on time to deliver, or to find out if dispatch has another shipment waiting to be picked up. Truckers call ahead for directions to warehouses and to learn whether they need special items like decking bars or heavy-duty straps to hold a shipment securely in place.
Once the truck driver is underway, she either drives a certain number of allowed hours, or to her next stop. According to hours of service rules, a truck driver may only drive for a total of 1 hours a day. There are lots of regulations for how many breaks a truck driver may take and when her workday must start all over again. Most truck drivers today go to school to learn both how to drive a truck and to stay within the rules.
Pulling into the place where he makes his delivery, the truck driver will have called ahead and asked whether the dock workers are ready for the shipment. Backing to a dock in the middle of other trucks and forklifts moving freight can be very challenging, and truck drivers spend a great deal of time carefully getting the truck settled into place. Once the load is either off his truck or a new one is put on board and secured, the truck driver leaves and goes to the next delivery or out onto the open road, watching traffic and constantly checking the mirrors.
On the road, a truck driver stops when his or her schedule allows time to eat, get a shower and go to the bathroom. Remember, each stop must be logged as well as each delivery or pick up. Most truck drivers listen to music or the radio while they drive, and many have hands-free phone systems to talk to their family and friends at home. Being a truck driver means you'll see a lot of different sights and meet people from every state.
http://rightnowloads.com/
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