war1974:
think its also a younger generation thing, they all think they know pretty much everything nowadays ( see you tube with these little pricks quoting laws to police etc. ) why would they be any different once they have a hgv licence.
A slight generalisation there, but I get your point! Yes there is a percentage of the population (young and old) who’s confidence outstrips their capabilities and knowledge. However, I’d suggest that the real difference between the young and old, is that a lot of the older more experienced drivers have learn’t from their experiences of being a bell end, and changed their ways. So yes there probably are a lot of “Smart arse newbies” out there, but they will (or should) learn with age that being a “smart arse”, only ever sets you up for a fall. So you experienced drivers should revel in the fact that at some point, a smart arse newbie will make a ■■■ of themselves, and you older more experienced hands can rap yourselves in a smug blanket of satisfaction from that.
So please do not stop giving advice from your years of experience, as there are plenty of not so smart arsed newbies who want to listen and learn!
P.S. Taking the ■■■■ and having a crack is optional, but I think it adds to the experience and is a right of passage!
ckm1981:
Personally I think all this “old school driver” is a bit of an insecurity thing,when you actually break it down there is very little “knowledge” of trucking between someone that’s been driving 5 years as someone that’s been doing it for 35,and by that I mean relative knowledge that is actually of use in today’s world of trucking but it gives the oldies something to hang onto and make them feel important,but let’s not forget most of this 35 year old knowledge is completely useless nowadays ie when they start blabbing on about Eton twin splitters or having to double the clutch,but they still expect the newbies to sit crossed legged,wide eyed on the floor in front of them whilst they spout this ancient font of knowledge.
Suppose it gives them a sense of comfort.
You’re way off there bud, totally secure and very comfortable thanks
But hey, thanks for the concern,… even if it does come across as a tad insecure in it’s self.
BillyHunt:
I don’t offer advice to anyone unless asked, young or old, new or experienced. I don’t need or expect any respect from anyone, why would you need it from people you don’t particularly know very well or care about? I tend to avoid the bell ends in the yard but I will give new starters a short length of rope to see which way they will swing.
As I was told very early in my army career, “I don’t need you to like me or respect me, we aren’t friends we are work colleagues at best, I just need you to do as I tell you, no more no less”. Works for me.
Spot on we are not at work to make friends, but if we do it is a bonus if we don’t crack on regardless.
war1974:
think its also a younger generation thing, they all think they know pretty much everything nowadays ( see you tube with these little pricks quoting laws to police etc. ) why would they be any different once they have a hgv licence.
A slight generalisation there, but I get your point! Yes there is a percentage of the population (young and old) who’s confidence outstrips their capabilities and knowledge. However, I’d suggest that the real difference between the young and old, is that a lot of the older more experienced drivers have learn’t from their experiences of being a bell end, and changed their ways. So yes there probably are a lot of “Smart arse newbies” out there, but they will (or should) learn with age that being a “smart arse”, only ever sets you up for a fall. So you experienced drivers should revel in the fact that at some point, a smart arse newbie will make a ■■■ of themselves, and you older more experienced hands can rap yourselves in a smug blanket of satisfaction from that.
So please do not stop giving advice from your years of experience, as there are plenty of not so smart arsed newbies who want to listen and learn!
P.S. Taking the ■■■■ and having a crack is optional, but I think it adds to the experience and is a right of passage!
fair point and yes it was very generalistic of me, however I was lucky enough as would a whole load of ‘old’ drivers on here to spend most of my time off school in a truck with my dad learning how to load/manoeuvre/rope and sheet/ route plan/ read signs etc. this tends not to happen now so what you often get is people pass do the cpc and think that’s it.
others will listen and have a laugh whilst doing it, I for one had on my first run a driver hanging from my window trying to assist me to get on a blind side reverse with a twin steer Iveco which had no lock. if it wasn’t for him I would possibly still be there now. whilst as some have said not all of our experiences will have been positive it may stop you doing the same thing.
OVLOV JAY:
Whilst I’ve come across 1 or 2 arrogant newbies over the years, the most arrogance I’ve seen, has been displayed by the older generation of drivers. What some of them don’t realise, is that experience doesn’t always mean competence
This. So very true. Almost never have I met a know all newbie but my god I’ve encountered so many old ‘I know it all’ bullshitters
Ckm1981 is correct in some ways, having been out of truck driving for 12+ years I would be the newbie now and seeking advice! I have never driven a truck with an auto box (nor one with a synchromesh gearbox come to that! ) and haven’t a clue about a digital tachograph, poa or current driver’s hours etc so I would either have to listen very hard to someone who is (possibly) younger than some of the contents of my fridge or blag it and make loads of ■■■■ ups! As I would want to get it right then I would listen and learn, age difference means nothing to me and no point trying to be the ‘big I am’ know it all when your livelyhood depends on it!
OVLOV JAY:
Whilst I’ve come across 1 or 2 arrogant newbies over the years, the most arrogance I’ve seen, has been displayed by the older generation of drivers. What some of them don’t realise, is that experience doesn’t always mean competence
This. So very true. Almost never have I met a know all newbie but my god I’ve encountered so many old ‘I know it all’ bullshitters
And there endeth the first lesson by a self proclaimed driver God
You get know it alls and bell housings in all walks of life, young and old. I’ve been driving trucks for 8 years, and class 1 for 18 months, and although I no longer have a fear of not being able to turn round, I’m still far from perfect!
Only yesterday, I had to reverse blindside into a yard, and did it in one. On the same day I had to reverse onto a bay in an empty RDC…and yep, took 3 or 4 shunts
What ■■■■■■ me off the most is the old hands that think if you drive an auto, use cc, use a sat nav, have working AC/night heater, etc etc you’re not worthy because it was etons, roping, no bunk etc etc “back in the day”
Heaven forbid we as drivers use tech and advances in truck design to make the job that bit easier, it’s like we should still be using slates and crowding round the wireless when the World Cup is on ffs
Just treat both the road and the truck with respect, use a bit of common, and you won’t go far wrong. Most people can suss out a bs merchant within 100 yards, so use your instinct and seek advice off the right people, and do your best to help those that want to be helped. Those that are too pigheaded to take advice, aren’t worth the time trying IMO.
I’ll always take the time out to help a new starter, if I see him struggling, or if he asks. Whether he takes my advice is completely up to him.
I’ve been a truck driver since 1985 ( I took a couple of years off a while back), but I’m not that old that I can’t learn new tricks or listen to advice coming from a younger & dare I say, a less experienced driver.
If someone else knows a better way of doing thing’s, then I’ll listen…
Geoffo:
I’ve been a truck driver since 1985 ( I took a couple of years off a while back), but I’m not that old that I can’t learn new tricks or listen to advice coming from a younger & dare I say, a less experienced driver.
If someone else knows a better way of doing thing’s, then I’ll listen…
Me too I have had a young female trucker show me some new tricks and I can tell you she received my full attention.
OVLOV JAY:
Whilst I’ve come across 1 or 2 arrogant newbies over the years, the most arrogance I’ve seen, has been displayed by the older generation of drivers. What some of them don’t realise, is that experience doesn’t always mean competence
This. So very true. Almost never have I met a know all newbie but my god I’ve encountered so many old ‘I know it all’ bullshitters
And there endeth the first lesson by a self proclaimed driver God
If you can point me to where I have self proclaimed my driving godlike status I’d be most appreciative. I won’t hold my breath. Manythankyouplease
whilst as some have said not all of our experiences will have been positive it may stop you doing the same thing. 
