Nervous about heading out on my own. Any advice or help?

You're going to be just fine. Good luck to you and be safe. I'm out here pulling for you.

 

Do you have a smart phone with google maps? Look up the shipper/receiver in satellite view. You can see where the truck entrance is and the traffic pattern of the area. Look for the tracks in the pavement. Very often the truck entrance is not anywhere near the "postal address" that the GPS will take you to.

Compare the company directions with the atlas for logical routing. Then use the GPS to tell you where the roads are, not which roads to take.

Some guys write the directions in the corner of the windshield, in removable marker of course. I wrote them on a post-it note and stuck it near my line of sight.

Mikeeee

 

I would say that its pretty normal to feel nervous or anxious when you first go out there on your own. Its going to take a good 3-4 months of being out there before you are fully comfortable with the day to day happenings out there. The driving part will actually come a little easier its the lifestyle and other things that are going to take some getting used too. Like anything else it just takes time and practice and also doing it time and time again. You will be presented with many difficult situations out there and if you take them slowly and apply your learned techniques you shouldn't have a problem getting through them. The most important things to keep in mind are to take it slow and pay attention to what you are doing out there!

Good luck to you and drive safe out there...

 

Good luck you'll do fine.

Something you may want to invest in, less than $5 is the pocket truck stop guide. It will help, to plan out the day. There is a larger version with more info in it, but the pocket guide works just fine. It has truck stops and rest areas. I write notes in mine like;M for mc D's, arrow down for T/S I didn't like, H2p for hard to park, Bcl11 if bathroom closed at 11pm. Also we have run into rest areas and T/S that aren't in the book so I write them in.

Again good luck, drive safe and you will do just fine.

 

Im a new driver also and just started with Schneider too been driving for 2 months with them was prety nervous myself on my first time out but like everyone says just take your time. Truck stops really had me nervous first time when backing but now its a piece of cake. If you have a smart phone a good app to get is Truck and Travel it has all truck stops, rest stops, weigh stations and also tells you whats there (how many truck parking spaces, showers, scales, lounge) Gives you gps directions, time and miles. I check it everytime I get an assignment to plan my stops.

 

LOL I was the same exact way. Got my first load: they gave me 2 days to deliver from Fontana to French Camp......It took me 2 days LOL The first night was raining, my windshield wipers were smearing and my truck made god awfule rattling noises. But seriously, do what you did in training....the nervousness wears on in time. You have your OSR's numbers and trainers numbers, utilize it and call them if you have question. Ask other Schneider drivers for help, we were all rookies at once. Remember, we were all where you were at some point. 5 months ago, I was there.....and boy time sure does fly.

 

I remember my first load it was from Chicago to Casa Grande AZ. I was a nervous wreck. When I finally got to the receiver I was so happy and excited I forgot to open the trailer doors when I backed into the dock. The forklift guy looked at me like

Is this app available for Blackberry?

 

Take your time getting around the shipper/receiver lots. Please, take your time in the truck stop lots. Turn your jake off at the TS also. Get out and look at what you are doing if you need to. Don't be so #### anti-social like so many of the newer drivers are. I mean that as hold a door for someone, acknowledge if someone says thank you, that type of stuff. There are too many wierdos with a serious lack of socialization, but that's a whole other thread right there. Shower, and wash your clothes, we also have an over-abundance of slobs in this profession. We can do without any more. Breathe deep and relax, enjoy the views you'll come across, and try to have fun when you can....

 

Airreal had some good tips. Those truck stop guides are a must have! Another poster mentioned the apps too! The apps are great, personally my favorite is DAT Trucker Services. It has everything including the closest walmarts! Like Aireal mentioned though its good to have an actual truck stop guide book to keep notes in. A lot places aren't in those books and you can write them down in there when you come across them. There will also be many secret little parking spots you will stumble upon and these are great to write in your book. Next time you are in that area and the truck stops are full you will open your book and see that there's a little secret spot to shut down at! Also great to keep track of your favorite restaurants and such! Pretty much anything or anywhere we could get our truck we would keep notes about it. From restaurants, to flea markets to beach side parking, things to do on your day off etc...

 

Chompi is correct, DAT is nice as are some of the other trucker apps, but the book allows you to take notes. Texas in particlar, but other states as well have picnic areas, they are not listed as most have no facilities. Don't discount the weigh stations with safe havens, we have stayed at quite a few. Those get written in also, we keep food in the truck, cause sometimes those safe havens are right near the end of our time and if we hadn't planned on those then we may have had to stop early just to make sure we could find a safe place to park.

Any advantage you can use to get further during the day ( and still drive and stop safely) is to your advantage. That little place you put in your notes could be the difference in sitting on the same load over the weekend or getting a new one.

You don't have to take just my word, their are places that the parking is full by 2pm, places T/Ss are a long ways between and small to boot. Your notes may save your fanny. Don't just rely on phone apps or hwy signs OR the book, use everything.

Oh idk if anyone mentioned but not all walmarts allow semi parking, call ahead and ask.