Every profession has idiots. That's why I hated driving Team. One partner could not read a word and another one would not sleep except while driving dropping down into L.A. off the mountain. Most are safe though. I drove OTR for about a year 27 years ago. I liked getting a decent paycheck and being home better so I quit LOL.
A company has $200K- $300K depending on rig invested in tractor and trailer plus the liability of the load which can be several million dollars. Most companies will not hire someone without either some OTR experience of a year OJT or a commercial driving school completion and even then you are teamed for a while with an experienced partner. Biggest issue as far as the driving was fatigue.
Several basic things to know about trucks can save your life. Stay far back unless passing. If a tire is coming apart they can bust through even todays windshields. The same thing with the cap {can} on the trailer air brakes. If you can't see their mirror they can't see you. Riding their draft can get you killed. I would never, ever, pass a rig on the right side on say a six lane interstate unless there was just no other choice.
I had persons ride in my blind spot for several miles. When I would attempt a lane change too my right I did several defensive maneuvers first. First was too signal. Look in the mirror, speed up 3-5 mph, then slow down 3-5 mph, then while looking in mirror slowly move right. That was an attempt to expose any hidden vehicles in the blind spot. I mainly drive a conversion van or pick up with camper cover and still use that method. Next thing you know once the truck moved right the person beside me would suddenly make their presence known.
Some folks tag beside or directly behind trucks to avoid speeding tickets. It can get you killed. Basically anything from the rear trailer tandems forward to the front bumper should be considered a blind spot on the right side of the rig.
Yea I have seen some who tick me off especially one on my bumper knowing I can't get out of the way. Heres a trick. Without actually braking tap the brake pedal to where the lights come on. Keep doing it. They'll get the message. Not many drivers will stick around for that LOL.
With the CB I could usually tell what truckers too watch out for. I'd listen for the one cussing and mouth running 90 miles a minute. Good chance you had a wired driver. Harder to get by with in these days of drug testing. I haven't turned a CB on since 1985.
Last time I turned on a CB(I bought an old Caddy that had a built-in CB), all I heard was Spanish.