CSB I used to be a UPS driver. Well I had never really driven a standard but I had proved myself to be a competant warehouse worker so they overlooked my struggles with the transmission during the training period in anticipation of me figuring it out and becoming a hard working delivery driver.
My first day on my own was a Friday and the supervisor who trained me had off that day. Also because it was Friday the driver on the route next to mine had an early request for that day so a significant chunk of his route was shifted over to my route. No big deal I thought I'll just go deliver it.
This section was right off Vickery Blvd in Fort Worth next to 183 and led to a bunch of apartments. I was coming back from that area and turning back onto Vickery when I stopped at the light short of the railroad tracks. The light turns green, I start to go, I fuck up the clutch operation and the truck dies out. Right on top of the railroad tracks. The cars behind me went around me and gave me dirty looks.
Right as this happens the rail crossing lights and buzzer start going off. The arm of the railroad crossing comes down on top of the UPS truck. In front of me traffic is moving 45 mph+. Finally I get it started and in reverse and back up off the track. I could see the damn train coming.
The next Monday I told this story to my supervisor/trainer. He told me to never tell anyone that story lol