Last time around we were complaining about the rain. We're pretty sure it's raining somewhere right now, and where it's not, it's hot.
The summer heat wave is on it's way and it looks like it could be a scorcher. That's why we thought we'd share some summer time driving tips. Here is a list of things to keep in mind while you are rolling up and down the highways and the by-ways this summer:
• Leave early so you won't be anxious about arriving late and to accommodate for delays. Know your limitations; don't drive when tired, upset or physically ill. The heat only compounds the normal stress of driving all day.
• Expect the unexpected; look 1/4 mile ahead for a safe path. Leave yourself an out.
• Pull off to a designated parking area to use your cell phone.
• On entrance ramps, remember highway traffic has the right of way; maintain proper speed and use smooth merging techniques.
• Remember that those tourists don't understand that trucks are heavier and take longer to make a complete stop, so leave plenty of space between you and them.
• Slow down and take extra caution when traveling through construction zones.
• Watch out for farmers and children when traveling through rural areas. They live out there, so in their minds they own those roads.
• Be on the alert for adverse weather conditions - thunderstorms and tornadoes can appear suddenly and with very little warning.
• Help your fellow truckers out by communicating construction zones, detours, traffic jams and delays due to accidents or weather.
Remember, most of the four-wheelers out there on vacation this summer won't have a clue that your big rig is any different from their SUV, so be prepared to cut them some slack.
Another thing the summer heat makes more unbearable is grumpy old receiving dock supervisors.
As a professional driver, you already know that driving the truck is the easy part. It's all your other responsibilities that make the job challenging. One of those challenges is maintaining a consistent approach to customer service.
Here's a brief list of things that will help you provide customer service and satisfaction:
• Always be on time
• Greet customers courteously with a friendly smile and a hello.
• Introduce yourself and your company
• Keep your paperwork neat and in order
• Work with the customer to resolve problems
• Never argue with the customer, report all complaints to your supervisor immediately
• Wear a clean uniform or proper attire and be neat and clean yourself
• Thank the customer for their business
In most cases, you are the only person from your company that will ever have face-to-face contact with the customer. To the customer, you are the company…and your company is known by the customers you keep.
There is still a lot of high water around, and many people are in need of some assistance. Why not cut back just a tad on the fireworks this year and donate to your local Red Cross. You'll be glad you did. .
The results of the TruckDriver.com 2008 Presidential Election Survey are in and if our survey is any indication of how the real election will go, it's going to be a barnburner.
According to the survey (as we prepare this edition), McCain and Obama are neck and neck, with Obama slightly, very slightly, ahead with 43.89% of you casting your vote his way and 42.57% of you favoring McCain. No one else even comes close; Moore and Amondson aren't even on the board.
Almost 8% of you said you were exercising your right not to vote. That's your choice, and your privilege, but in a race this close, you might want to reconsider.
The other big issue that is up in the air right now, and may make a difference to some of you, is the Vice-Presidential candidates. Neither side has an official running mate at this point, who will the VP's be?
Take The TruckDriver.com Second in Command Survey Part One and let us know.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July weekend and remember, keep on truckin' and please drive safely.
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