In part one of this post, I gave you "Things" 1 thru 6. Below are "the rest" of the things I've learned since becoming a truck driver. I hope you find them helpful, or at the very least, a fun read.

7. We Are Family

When you become a truck driver, you become part of a family of drivers. Everyone out here knows what you're going through; most likely, they've been exactly where you are now. You have support if you seek it, friends if you want them and someone who always has your back. Although times have changed if you listen to the stories the old timers tell and the talk on the CB is more often than not rated R, but that doesn't mean there still aren't plenty of people out here who will help you out when you need it. And really, it's your duty to do the same. If you see someone with a headlight out or notice that a strap or chain has come loose, do your best to let that driver know. Some people, like me, don't drive with their CB on. If you can catch their eye to get them on the CB (wiggling it in the air like I do, showing them I urgently need to speak with them), believe me when I say they'll appreciate the heads up. I've helped out drivers with trailer doors open, a flat-bedder who had dunnage that was slipping from its securement and even one guy whose interior curtains were flying in the wind outside the passenger side window he rolled them up in. Take care of your family and they'll take care of you.

8. Be the Tortoise, Not the Hare

I drive like a grandmother; fifty-eight miles an hour, no matter where I'm going. Oh, there are occasions where I kick it up a notch, but it's extremely rare. When you're getting 6.5 miles per gallon, you do your best to conserve. Not only is driving at higher speeds dangerous, it burns excess fuel and puts undue wear and tear on your equipment. Your reaction time is minimized, your tire treads wear faster and pretty much everything that turns, cranks or injects works harder. Driving hard and fast will always cost you money in the long run, and no one is in business to lose money. Slowing down will get you there alive and believe me, in plenty of time. I don't think I've been to a shipper or receiver in over five years that didn't make me wait once I got there. Besides, it instills a sense of calm when you drive at a leisurely pace. My number one priority is safety and Ed's motto for fourteen years has been "slow and steady wins the race." Try it. Speaking of slow...

9. When You Think you're Going Slow Enough, Go Even Slower

Unless you're on a dedicated route that takes you to the same places day in and day out, chances are you're heading to a shipper or receiver you've never been to or pulling into a parking lot you've never seen. This may be the day you have to navigate the small parking lot of a local, off-the-beaten-path truck stop. No matter how well you scope out your entry, exit or parking space (and nothing beats getting out of your truck to visibly check if you're unsure), going slow is the one and only way to ensure a successful execution. Whipping your truck around a parking lot (I've witnessed it with my own eyes) is not only stupid, but it can cause damage. It's going to be tough to explain exactly how the fiberglass in your bumper got a big hole in it. It's much better to take your time and proceed slowly. If you think a shipper's entrance looks too small, slow down. If you think you can't back into that spot, know that you'll have a better chance if you get out and look and take it slow once you proceed. Unnecessary damage can be avoided if you don't move like the hare.

10. Know That What You Do Is Necessary, But It Can Also Be Fun

What we do is necessary to keep our country running. People and industries depend on us. According the American Trucking Associations, "more than 80 percent of American communities depend solely on the country's 3.5 million truck drivers for the delivery of their goods and commodities." If you're lucky enough, you'll be able to visit the more than 80 percent of those American communities. I don't look at what I do as just a job; I truly look at it as an adventure. You have an opportunity as a driver that most people will never have in their lifetime; the chance to extensively travel our country. Make it fun! If you approach everyday with a sense of adventure, you'll likely get just as much out of it as you put into it.

Until next time, live adventurously.