Getting started after training,only you and your truck. How stressful was it for you?

Most likely your first year solo will have you constantly learning and making mistakes. All the training in the world won't cover every possible situation on the road. But it gets easier. The key things to remember are:
1. Stay calm. The worst thing you can do in a given situation is flip out.
2. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Most drivers out there will help or offer advice if you ask for it but we're not mind readers. If in doubt ask questions.
3. Make a conscious effort to read every sign you see. It WILL keep you out of trouble. Your GPS may steer you wrong but knowing where you are and reading the signs can keep you from making mistakes.
4. Stay calm. Drivers do stupid things when they panic.
5. Pay attention to detail. The big obvious stuff usually won't be an issue but little things can get you easily. I once tried to pick up from the wrong warehouse because I had been to the same company's facility in the same city (OKC) 3 times in a week and assumed I was going to the same place. I wound up almost 30 miles out of the way because I didn't read my load assignment right.
6. Stay calm (see a pattern here?)

Keep in mind that every driver on the road has been through some variation of what you're going through. Hang in there and you'll do fine.

 

Oh, and like cab wrecker said screw the 4 wheelers. They can wait for you.

 

You need not be nervous about being nervous. You need to be nervous about being overconfident. There will come a day when you are driving through Oklahoma City or Atlanta or Dallas and they will have something call an ice storm. The road will not look very bad but there will be this fine sheet of ice. Overconfidence can get you killed.

All nervousness does is prevent you from performing with both of those twins you have dreamed about your whole life.

 

My first load was Atlanta to Indianapolis, was I scared? #### less. Lol. I went and got load. Got lost coming out of the customers ended up in a WalMart parking lot stunned, nervous, almost near tears. Couldn't get out of the wm parking lot. Was tight fit. Parked took deep breath, gpsed my way out and then parked for night. Next morning had to climb Monteagle....lol...all I could think about was getting home. Was going home to get wife. Not so nervous anymore except when I know picking up or dropping in a huge city like Chicago Boston etc.

 

Dallas, Waco, Temple are all messed up, or should I say 35 in general. Good Luck To Any OF You Driving Thru There. FRIDAYS ARE THE WORSE BEWARE. DRIVE SAFE !

 

I went solo last March of 2013.

We all feel like you do I think. But, it is exciting as much as it is nerve racking. I'll tell ya what, from a somewhat newbie only 15 months in solo, there is no better feeling than realizing you are making progress and improving. There will be so many bumps at first and not as many as time goes on. It is trial by fire and trial and error to some degree but there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that you are learning the job with Swift and that you are learning to be a trucker in general.

I think one of the most difficult things is picking up on those unwritten rules of trucker etiquette. Read what you can here and don't be "that guy". Learn from other truckers and pick up on the etiquette, i.e. - parking in the fuel lanes, passing etiquette, etc. Do everything on the safe side and follow your gut instinct using common sense. GPS sucks and will get you in trouble. If you start to make a boo boo, stop what you are doing and reevaluate. That first time you have to call the local police to get you out of a jam will suck. It will be a little embarrassing and will humble you but the next time will be easier (I've had to call the police 3 times on myself to assist in 15+ months). Better safe than sorry.

My first few days driving I felt like I was completely in the dark. I kind of felt like I didn't learn that much with the mentors just because so much comes up that didn't come up back then or things maybe came up and I wasn't paying enough attention. You will get it. Ask questions and don't be afraid to ask for help from other drivers. I have rarely ever encountered a driver that will say "no" to a request for assistance.

Hang in there, you're doing great.

 

You will learn over time when to drive in certain cities and when you can plan on sitting in traffic. Sometimes you can plan around it and sometimes you just gotta eat it. Personally I think Dallas is a tough city to drive in. You will also learn which cities are easier to park in and what time you should plan on finding parking before the lots are filled. It's a learning process.

I'll add, I've seen a lot of new drivers get nervous and try to turn around in places that they shouldn't resulting in big issues. Like they said above, stay calm. If it doesn't look right then don't do it. If you miss your turn then don't risk doing something stupid. Go straight, find the next intersection that has a large enough road and double back that way.