Maybe the Shortest Career in Trucking

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Wanderdog, Jul 2, 2013.

  1. Wanderdog

    Wanderdog Bobtail Member

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    "To the OP: Don't sweat it. Those are all relatively small, minor incidents. I am sure none of them resulted in an insurance claim. You didn't hurt anyone. Keep applying to the big companies, explain to them what you are trying to do, you will find something. Perhaps see if you can find a company that will run you for very long loads so you get more experience on the driving part, and can hopefully adjust your schedule around a little bit so you can be parking at the truck stop in the early afternoon when there are plenty of spaces and you can get a little bit of practice every day. If you aren't comfortable with that, use rest areas for your breaks, they are generally easier and fill up a little later than the truck stops do.

    All in all, don't let it get you down. Crap happens. What would you rather say? "I had a few screw ups in the beginning and got canned so I just gave up and quit." Or, "I had a few screw ups in the beginning, got canned, but was determined enough to put myself where I am now." If trucking is really what you enjoy and want to do, you will make it happen. Good luck to you."

    Thanks. Yeah, I am thankful that no one was ever hurt. I'm glad I never backed into anyone or anything, damaged anyone's car/truck, or injured anybody. And you're right about the rest areas, they were easier and QUICKER to get in and out of, and less noise if you wanted to get some sleep. Thanks for the encouragement. You've got a point there.
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2013
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  3. Wanderdog

    Wanderdog Bobtail Member

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    Thanks to everyone for your advice and, especially, your encouragement. I really expected to be thrashed and trashed for confessing the inexcusable goofs that brought me to my present pitiful situation, but you were all very civil about it. Maybe some day I'll be out there again, wiser and a WHOLE LOT more careful! Good luck to you all, and keep on truckin'.
     
  4. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Everyone makes mistakes. We all have. The thing that we should all want to do is to better our craft. You had 2 incidents with the trailer. Something you were doing in the turns just wasn't working. The last happened because of carelessness. "Carelessness"? Does that mean that you didn't care or there was something else that occupied your attention instead of your driving?

    instead of giving up and going to flip burgers, how about trying again....this time put more effort in developing your skills. Round Two!
     
  5. TheRoadWarrior

    TheRoadWarrior rocking-n-rollin again

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    You have nothing to be ashamed of what so ever. At least you have the balls to admit your mistakes. Now you learned from them so fine tune yourself. THINK first about the situation your coming upon if it looks bad find a different way. Never assume the people who send u someplace have ever been there before most can't find crap in their own neighborhoods. We have all made mistakes but we learn from them and get wiser the next time. Don't give up keep digging just remember scope it out, size it up and if it looks tuff find another way.
     
    davetiow Thanks this.
  6. HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

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    Your driving career is far from over. It's not like you killed someone! Keep your head up. You'll find a job. There are companies out there that know what it's like for new drivers.
     
  7. landstar8891

    landstar8891 Road Train Member

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    Now STHU and get out there and tear some more #### up...Geeeshhhhhhhhhhhh...:biggrin_2559:
    :biggrin_25522:
     
    Aireal and HotH2o Thank this.
  8. Wanderdog

    Wanderdog Bobtail Member

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    :biggrin_2559:
    Thanks. I'll do it.
     
  9. chaz7r

    chaz7r Light Load Member

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    I'm in the building trades. 15 years worth. Now I'm driving truck in north dakota. Get your tanker end. and hit the oilfields. We break stuff on our trucks every day here. Hell I rolled a brand new mack three weeks ago standing still, almost got crushed to death and my manager just sent me out in another one two days later. Its dangerous as hell here but you will be able to easily find a good paying job
     
  10. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    Just like everything in life you can get used to anything. It looked like I was going to him something every time I backed up when I was new. Now I back into spots without a pull up while other drivers struggle for 10 minutes. I may compete in the rodeo I wouldn't be surprised if I win. I haven't met a spot I struggled with yet and I drive through New York. In time you will get the same confidence.
     
  11. Hairqueen

    Hairqueen Bobtail Member

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    Hi all, I hope I am posting to a relevant thread here :dontknow:. I'd like to add my hubby's story and maybe get some answers.
    My husband had a squeaky clean MVR up until a month ago. He's been driving for 4 years now, and has received just about every award imaginable from work,,,an A-1 employee. Then all heck broke loose! December 23rd, he blew a stop sign rushing to his next pick up and t-boned with another vehicle on the highway. The poor man in the other vehicle was injured, but thank God, not critically. His Supervisor told him "don't sweat it, you've got 4 incidents before you would get fired"; told him he was being put on administrative leave. We get a court notice in the mail, he will be charged with "Failure to Yield/Right of Way". $183 fine and 4 points.
    Two weeks later, with not a clue as to what's going on, and no paycheck... HR finally tells him "Oh no, you're suspended, not on leave". Would have been nice to know that! Two more weeks go by with not a word from anyone, and finally last Thursday he gets the call saying he's terminated because of "safety issues". WOW. What a crazy ordeal! So much for not getting fired.
    Okay, so we will suck it up and move on...but now because of the length of time this all played out, his Fed Med card has expired (the company DR told him he could not renew it while he was being investigated)? And now his CDL shows suspended. So anyway, my questions would be,,,should we wait to renew his CDL (he has since went to our primary DR and obtained his Med card again) until after his court date on the 27th, to see what's going to happen with his license? I hate to spend the money to renew it if it's going to be yanked again after he is convicted. WILL his license be suspended for a period of time because of injuring another person? And, as of now, nothing is showing anywhere as far as an "accident",,,will this all be documented after the court date as well? Should we get a lawyer to try and lessen the blow to his CDL, or is that fighting a losing battle?
    He is in the same boat as some of the guys I have read about on this thread; wondering if his driving days are done. Any suggestions for companies in WI who are willing to take someone with a fresh incident such as my hubby's?
    Thanks for letting me rant, I feel a LITTLE bit better :help::help:
     
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