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Thank you for this!!As another young guy (25) that just went to feeders don’t sweat it. Accept that you’re the new guy and listen to what the senior drivers tell you. When they help you, return the favor when you can. Most senior drivers are more than willing to answer your questions.
Learn at your own pace from the senior drivers. The guys that cowboy their dolly might be able to tell you how to do it, but that doesn’t mean you should try it for the first time trying to build a set in in the choke point of a busy yard.
You’ll gain respect from the other drivers by showing ability and safety, not speed and recklessness. You already have an advantage by coming to feeders from within and not as an outside hire.
Keep your tractor clean, have some pride in your office especially if you share a tractor.
Double Check everything. Paperwork. IVIS. Hook-ups, etc.
Do it the same way every time and develop muscle memory, especially when building sets.
When you make a mistake, stop and own it. Don’t try to sweep it under the rug or hide it.
Tug test every time. Especially leaving any rest area or truck stop.
If you can’t get a seal on your airlines, a bit a fifth wheel grease off the front lip of the trailer can get you back home.
Good gloves, zip ties, a good flashlight, hammer for knocking tires, glass cleaner, rags, some type of extra layer for rain. Grab a few red tags and keep them in your tractor, even if you don’t have to write anything up, they’re handy to have in case your light cord is loose. Carry a few glad seals and know how to change them.
I have a 12V Radio Transmitter that is nice for being able to listen to your music in the older tractors, even the ones with USBs on the radio don’t always work. I run a CB. A lot of people don’t but I enjoy having it.
I'm prissy about everything.
I know how much responsibility this job is, and I'm ready to own everything.
My family does not like that I do 90% of my car repairs (oil change, brakes, hub assembly, etc), as I do not trust mechanics to ensure that every nut and bolt is secure, and to the proper torque spec.
I'm going to treat this job the exact same way, ensure everything is correct, by the UPS book, twice.