Let's face it, truck drivers are funny creatures, very skilled at what they do, but sometimes they can get a bit bitey if they think an outsider tries to offer advice.
But there are times when outside advice is not a bad thing, and driver training is one of those times.
It is like most things in life that we do repetitively, we tend to get into a routine and believe that our way is not only the best way, but it is the ONLY way.
Unfortunately when it comes to driving trucks, that is not always the case, particularly when the trucks themselves become more and more technically advanced.
After all, this is why virtually every manufacturer has a team of driver trainers on staff, who go out and work with customers when they take delivery of new equipment.
When you think about it, it is really no different to mechanics undergoing a refresher course when new models enter service, they need the latest knowledge to understand what they are dealing with, so why not do it for drivers as well?
A big part of my job here at ATN involves driving the latest offerings from the truck manufacturers, and let me assure you, every one of them is different.
The first thing I do is go over the cabin and look for any unfamiliar switches or dials and ask what they do and how they work - who would have known there were so many ways to turn the lights on?
Then we might go for a short drive to let the professional explain the more significant and complex systems.
A good example is the engine shutdown mechanism fitted to Mack's 'New Breed' trucks, if the vehicle sits idling for more than a couple of minutes, then the engine turns off, saving fuel and reducing carbon emissions.
The 'New Breed' also has Mack's ‘Power Leash' multi-stage engine brake , which can be varied to meet the requirements of different situations.
While these are the more obvious examples, the truth is, without Paul Munro – Mack’s driver trainer – sitting beside me and explaining all these new devices, I would not have known how to make the most of the equipment, and would probably have cursed the ‘Mack that kept stalling in traffic’.
The same goes for fuel efficient driving, too many drivers, and I used to fall into this category, subscribed to the ‘Rip, Tear, Bust’ theory of truck driving.
While it might feel good, the reality is modern trucks do not respond well to this kind of driving.
With a plethora of driver aids and computer controls built into the current crop of trucks, it could even slow down, as the sensors detect what they believe is dangerous driving and begin activating systems like traction control or stability control, which can actually cut the available power.
However, a short session with a driver trainer can show even the most experienced operator how to exploit the various on-board systems that allow the truck to perform at its peak.
Scott Harvey, a well-known transport operator in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales, is a strong believer in training, and he regularly hosts professional driver trainers in his business.
According to Harvey, the proof is in the pudding – lower fuel bills, reduced insurance premiums through fewer accidents, and virtually no complaints from the general public about his company or his drivers, which means a greater chance they will use one of his distinctive Royal Blue trucks.
What about the drivers you ask?
They seem to be pretty happy about it too, with incentives for best fuel economy and other positive driving behaviours.
Really, what more can you ask for?