Videos for New Drivers

Thanks BigDuker and Clay13 for the kind remarks.

As I said in the video, there is so much more to be shared, especially with the new guys. I didn't do a very good job of communicating the typical day, and, I could only talk about the job from a team point of view.

Two issues that are most difficult to communicate, especially to newbies are:

1 - Highway monotany - Most of your time is spent on the interstate. Not hours... days between places to load and unload. I-80 gets longer each time you drive across Nevada.

2 - Three weeks out at a time - Doesn't sound too bad when you are considering making a career change and going to school. Last weekend the guy that was my trainer called me (Now we are just friends). I was at home decorating the house for Christmas. The wife and I had some cognac in front of the fireplace and enjoyed the day together. He was in Salt Lake picking up a load, alone. He isn't sure if he will make it home for Christmas, in fact he isn't sure what day he will get home.

And that is the problem for the average new guy. Most have to start OTR. That's OK, after all, you have to pay your dues. But, the conversation you need to have with your family, especially your spouse, needs to center around this theme, "Don't count on me for much because I won't be home regularly, or, I'll see you in a year or so." If you go into it knowing your social life is over and your family will become a text message or phone call, you have laid the foundation for success. You and your family won't expect much and any extra time spent at home will be like icing on the cake. On the other hand, if you are planning to be home on a specific date or in almost exactly 6 to 8 weeks, you are destined to fail.

See my plan was to do it for about five years and then retire. Younger guys have a lot longer to go to get to the brass ring. One thing I have against me going in is, I really enjoy spending time with my family. After a career in the military I figured we were tough enough to make it through a year or so until I could find a job that would get me through the house more frequently.

My point is that I don't know how to best communicate to newbies that it is tough on your body, your relationships, your social life, your normal responsibilities. Many folks have said it isnt a job, it's a lifestyle. Capitalize that when you say it. If you have an established social or home life that is deeply engrained in your average week... one where you enjoy soccer games or gardening... then read these words carefully... Forget about the importance of selecting the right company to go to work for, forget about the bad or good things you have read about the megacarriers, forget about flats, refers or boxes... You have a much bigger gorilla to wrestle than these things. If you decide to go trucking, you have eliminated your social and family life altogether... at least until you have paid your dues and can find a local job.

For most of us these are serious words and must be considered before you let your testosterone guide your decision. BTW, driving the truck is a hoot, but driving it home is a hoot and a half.

 

If I take away the beard I have nothing to keep my chin warm! They say the hairline is genetic. My daughter is concerned!

I'm not driving for anyone right now. I might consider a local job but, I can't rest or sleep when the truck is moving so any training requiring team driving is out. When the event happened I hadn't closed my eyes in three days. I was the poster boy for fatigue. I guess it's kind of an OCD thing.

I have other talents that I can draw on to make a living. I would like to experience transportation from a dispatchers point of view. I firmly believe the industry could be improved by better leadership and a pay structure that rewards a driver based on performance. I mean serious rewards not the piddly ones that are in place.

 

An arterial spasm. It felt like a heart attack but wasn't.

 

I recommend Werner. Training takes about 8 weeks. They say 6 to 8 but, count on 8.