General Discussion

A HERETIC I AM

(24,876 posts)

27. These trucks will try and kill you.

Fri Feb 1, 2013, 12:22 AM

Feb 2013

If they can't, they'll try as hard as they can to maim you. And they do. It happens all the time. Car haul is one of the most, if not THE most dangerous trucking disciplines out there.

At any large auto transport company with a roster of over 100 drivers, the top seniority guys were what we called at one co. (Teamster gig in Mich) "The walking wounded"

Most of the top 20 on the seniority board walked with a limp.

I have broken both thumbs, my right one twice.
Broke my right ankle
Sprained the living hell out of my left, that blew up like a grapefruit. Literally.
Cut my forehead open several times.
Left tufts of hair on an upper deck (I do a much better job of ducking now!)
The fingernail on my left middle finger has just now grown back from a smashing 6 months ago.
Bruised ribs.
Bruises as a matter of course.
Working outside loading and unloading in all types of weather. Put on a load of Fords in Wayne Michigan when the snow was coming down one and a half inches an hour SIDEWAYS

And I have to be behind the wheel at 6:15 in the morning to drive 75 miles to the port of Brunswick to load nine for a 3-way to Punta Gorda, Cape Coral and the Fort Myers Airport.

Luckily it will only be in the 30's when I hit the road.

Nighty night! Drive safe!

(A HERETIC I AM - closing on 1.9 million career miles accident free. 195,000 of those in the last 2 years, 4 months)

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Holding the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o'clock is no longer recommended [View all] DainBramaged Jan 2013 OP

Interesting,. hollysmom Jan 2013 #1

Not for a long time. TransitJohn Jan 2013 #2

I prefer one hand at 11 oclock, and one hand on the manual transmission. Travis_0004 Jan 2013 #3

I am close to that... Ohio Joe Jan 2013 #10

Yes, indeed! kysrsoze Feb 2013 #76

Ever driven a right hand drive manual transmission? muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #85

When I lived in Europe and Japan, I had a lot of fun adjusting! MADem Feb 2013 #107

I get that driving a British car on the European continent muriel_volestrangler Feb 2013 #120

Bingo--exactly. UK car in Europe--keep the sidewalk closest to you! Repeat to yourself, often! MADem Feb 2013 #122

I've driven on the wrong side of the road. . . . Travis_0004 Feb 2013 #125

I can't imagine trying to shift with my left hand. ananda Feb 2013 #143

You are talking about cars, right? randome Feb 2013 #87

That was how I drove for the first two years sir pball Feb 2013 #92

I was taught that keeping a hand on the stick was bad practice... jberryhill Feb 2013 #105

That's about the way I drive hobbit709 Feb 2013 #117

Interesting...indeed nadinbrzezinski Jan 2013 #4

Good informative post, thanks. MicaelS Jan 2013 #5

I lways do 8 and 4, it's more comfortable and my hand is closer to the shift. diane in sf Jan 2013 #6

I've been an 8 & 4 person for a long time without this knowledge, mostly out of comfort. JaneyVee Jan 2013 #7

I will try to stay off the road at those times. pennylane100 Jan 2013 #8

:) fishwax Feb 2013 #60

They've been teaching 9 and 3 Control-Z Jan 2013 #9

At Exotic Driving courses across the country, they request hands at 9 and 3. Roland99 Feb 2013 #78

I'm almost afraid to ask about "exotic driving" in Florida ... JustABozoOnThisBus Feb 2013 #86

heh Roland99 Feb 2013 #95

Oh, THAT kind of exotic driving! Whew! JustABozoOnThisBus Feb 2013 #99

Well, that could get dangerous in the summer... Roland99 Feb 2013 #113

I remember seeing excerpts from an Emergency Driving handbook kentauros Feb 2013 #100

When driving using my left knee to steer clydefrand Feb 2013 #108

I'm glad my car doesn't have cruise control, kentauros Feb 2013 #115

Lol. Control-Z Feb 2013 #110

We need to put clock-markings on our steering wheels kentauros Feb 2013 #114

Excellent...I simply wont hold the steering wheel anymore. Katashi_itto Jan 2013 #11

You made a funny, thank you DainBramaged Jan 2013 #13

:) Katashi_itto Feb 2013 #20

I used to work with a guy who made a point of using his knees. He said it was useful at times. freshwest Feb 2013 #48

this is how I hold my wheel Whisp Feb 2013 #38

Hahahah +10000 Katashi_itto Feb 2013 #138

CA dropped it from the licensing road test years ago pinboy3niner Jan 2013 #12

So, does this mean I have to move my suicide knob? Brother Buzz Jan 2013 #14

I used to roll perfect joints on the freeway while driving with my left knee... cherokeeprogressive Jan 2013 #15

Too damn funny! rufus dog Feb 2013 #25

I still do that. Webster Green Feb 2013 #37

+1 Go Vols Feb 2013 #80

i used to could do that driving a stick. in the city! pnwest Feb 2013 #89

Thus keeping keeping your hands at 4:20 jberryhill Feb 2013 #106

Thanks. You just made me spit me beer all over the dashboard. cherokeeprogressive Feb 2013 #112

Nine-O-Clock. A HERETIC I AM Jan 2013 #16

This message was self-deleted by its author darkangel218 Feb 2013 #18

That is one dangerous fucking job DainBramaged Feb 2013 #21

These trucks will try and kill you. A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #27

"closing on 1.9 million career miles accident free" -congratulations to you. n/t PoliticAverse Feb 2013 #77

Thanks! n/t A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #79

Then you weren't the guy who scraped off my driver's side and pushed me off the road! MADem Feb 2013 #109

Nope! A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #123

I was a bit "shocked," but I'm fine. MADem Feb 2013 #129

Whoever taught you "The Way Out" was spot bleedin' on! A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #133

Now I am wondering if that jerk isn't the guy who hit me!!! MADem Feb 2013 #141

Yup. 10 hours is a long time to have both hands on the wheel isn't it? cherokeeprogressive Feb 2013 #26

LOL!! A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #29

I could send you some nog, Bro. n/t cherokeeprogressive Feb 2013 #31

IS IT STILL ON THE SHELVES?!?!?!?!?! A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #32

It's listed on their website List of Products. I will get in touch with them tomorrow. cherokeeprogressive Feb 2013 #33

Dude. A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #34

This subthread reminds me of the old days Wednesdays Feb 2013 #52

LOL. CB traffic these days is nothing like it used to be. A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #54

Wot? You don't hang your gut over the wheel? TheMadMonk Feb 2013 #70

Guts not quite big enough,.... A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #82

Respect... n/t Blue_Tires Feb 2013 #81

I steer with my knees so I can text. Martin Eden Jan 2013 #17

10 and 2 for slippery conditions, twisty roads, turns, on-ramps, and maneuvering FarCenter Feb 2013 #19

One hand on phone, other hand on radio dial. proud2BlibKansan Feb 2013 #22

One hand holding phone, other hand holding coffee cup... KansDem Feb 2013 #55

I'm going to look for you. proud2BlibKansan Feb 2013 #57

I'll be the one talking into my coffee cup... KansDem Feb 2013 #59

While the 8&4 positions ManiacJoe Feb 2013 #23

I Was Actually Taught to Drive with One Dominant Hand at 12PM On the Road Feb 2013 #62

It is the 12 position that can cause problems ManiacJoe Feb 2013 #63

I'm sticking with my Brodie knob. aikoaiko Feb 2013 #24

I've got one hand in my pocket. And the other one is giving a high five... OneTenthofOnePercent Feb 2013 #28

That's on my iPod. freshwest Feb 2013 #50

icy/bad/twisty roads get 10 and 2 fizzgig Feb 2013 #30

Glad they pointed out the possible danger with hands too high LiberalFighter Feb 2013 #35

It's actually the sign of a poor driver, I keep a lookout for the death grippers snooper2 Feb 2013 #36

Saw a woman today, beautiful clear blue skies, dry road, moderate I 95 traffic.... A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #39

new driver, perhaps? nt ecstatic Feb 2013 #41

Possible, but she was easily in her 50's. n/t A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #43

lol. my grandmother learned to drive in her 60s! nt ecstatic Feb 2013 #44

Yes, but did her instructer tell her it was proper to have her 4-ways on ... A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #45

do a "scared driver" search on youtube..hours of entertainment... snooper2 Feb 2013 #42

I become a bad driver when I have outspoken "backseat driver" passengers ecstatic Feb 2013 #47

You mean someone like Ethel Merman? kentauros Feb 2013 #111

I only do 10 & 2 when I sense danger ecstatic Feb 2013 #40

I like to drive with my thighs while eating a burger and fries. It's easier to dip in ketchup. Lint Head Feb 2013 #46

Eating and driving is more dangerous than drinking, they say. Especially reaching in the back seat.. freshwest Feb 2013 #51

Yup. A friend of mine crashed eating KFC out of a bucket. SunSeeker Feb 2013 #56

OMG. I hope no one was hurt seriously. The chicken had already passed, though... freshwest Feb 2013 #61

LOL nt SunSeeker Feb 2013 #65

No, he'd just started eating the chicken. nt JustABozoOnThisBus Feb 2013 #96

I have to differ. KFC chicken is way, way dead. freshwest Feb 2013 #97

Depends on your definition of "passed" JustABozoOnThisBus Feb 2013 #98

That first line could be perfect for a driving song.nt logosoco Feb 2013 #84

I hold it at six o'clock Orrex Feb 2013 #49

So for digital clockers, just stay home? lonestarnot Feb 2013 #53

No, for you, it's points on a compass. kentauros Feb 2013 #118

Try that at 150mph DollarBillHines Feb 2013 #58

seriously you believe an airbag is more dangerous enabled than not having one loli phabay Feb 2013 #64

Some of us really use seatbelts! Mopar151 Feb 2013 #67

well unless you use a harness why not use your seatbelt and airbag. its like the people who loli phabay Feb 2013 #69

IF you're using your vehicle's stock restraints sir pball Feb 2013 #93

Airbags can get you killed. DollarBillHines Feb 2013 #127

I would only hope that you're not driving at 150mph kentauros Feb 2013 #119

Actually... DollarBillHines Feb 2013 #126

How safely You can drive isn't the issue. kentauros Feb 2013 #128

It's always 10 and 2 o'clock somewhere. William769 Feb 2013 #66

And it's 5 o'clock 10 hours, yay the weekend yay yay DainBramaged Feb 2013 #71

i basically drive for twelve hours a day at work. on the highways i use the eight and four position loli phabay Feb 2013 #68

Sebastian Vettle uses 9 and 3, and that is all I need to know 1-Old-Man Feb 2013 #72

I've done 8 & 4 for years. It is far more stable BlueStreak Feb 2013 #73

As long as people aren't HappyMe Feb 2013 #74

Time to change madokie Feb 2013 #75

I think my hands are all over the wheel, depending on a lot of factors. logosoco Feb 2013 #83

i employ the "detroit lean": right elbow on the pnwest Feb 2013 #88

When Jesus takes the wheel, he can hold it any damned way he pleases. sadbear Feb 2013 #90

That's the way my Mom taught me how to drive Jazzgirl Feb 2013 #91

Hold the widest-spaced spokes sir pball Feb 2013 #94

That was pretty amazing! kentauros Feb 2013 #121

The Type 125 sir pball Feb 2013 #132

I don't know enough about racing of any kind to attempt it, kentauros Feb 2013 #134

They do. A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #135

I was thinking not so much an arcade-type set-up kentauros Feb 2013 #136

Check this out; A HERETIC I AM Feb 2013 #137

You couldn't simulate the forces, though sir pball Feb 2013 #145

I know enough to know sir pball Feb 2013 #144

Putting my hands on the steering wheel takes my hands away from texting. Apophis Feb 2013 #101

You should hold the steering wheel whatever time of day you're driving. TheManInTheMac Feb 2013 #102

One at 6 o'clock, the other on my beer. kudzu22 Feb 2013 #103

I prefer to pop a few Viagra and just duct tape my penis to 6 o'clock. justanidea Feb 2013 #104

This is because airbag makers have gotten sued by people whose arms have been broken. leveymg Feb 2013 #116

Remember having the wheel torn from my grasp One_Life_To_Give Feb 2013 #124

Stock car drivers who lock on the spokes get their thumbs broken........ Mopar151 Feb 2013 #130

It is good to see you my friend DainBramaged Feb 2013 #140

I tend to naturally use 9 and 3 treestar Feb 2013 #131

I use the Mr. Miagi "wax-on wax-off" method myself tjwash Feb 2013 #139

You mean that holding it with my knees while MineralMan Feb 2013 #142

I drive guardian Feb 2013 #146