My first 2 months really sucked and were pretty much all consuming. 1st month was horrible. I cried, several times!! But, I hung on, about my 3rd month things seemed to start settling down a bit. After 6 months, it actually started being kinda fun and now, after 20 months, I'm more addicted to this than I care to admit to myself!
However, I started out OTR reefer. After about 6 months and a talk to my drive leader, I was limited to West Coast region. That's what I wanted and it isn't a hard line. On occasion I'll run a load back East depending on where it's going and the other load details. I don't know if that makes my a regional driver or just a West Coast OTR jockey. I'm still basically OTR in that I don't work for a specific customer (like our dedicated folks) or have a routine route that is repeated. I just go where they ask me to, and haul what they want me to, unless for whatever reason I don't want to do that load. Then, I just tell them nope and they give me a different load.
New driver with a quick rant
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by gone4truck, Jun 13, 2021.
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Not being able to take a solid 30 minute Off Duty having nothing to do with the truck and not being able to shower for days at a time is unreasonable.
Have you considered going to OTR? It'll get you out of your aforementioned complaints and without changing jobs.
The guys who say you have to pay your dues is correct in that you need a minimum amount of experience, but if you can get another gig that isn't so stressful, then go for it. -
Short trips, multiple stops are tough. Start looking, make a plan. Local, preferably hourly, or longer trips, or a dedicated 250-500 drop and hook. You’ll be much happier. Meanwhile slow down, be careful. Take care of your needs, shower, food whatever. Before going and waiting 3 hrs at a dock. I’ve learned that the hard way. Otherwise by the time you’re Loaded, or empty, there’s no time to stop. Otherwise it’s point a to point b. It’s tough because you have to plan, with this job. Easy to put it all on your shoulders at once. Break it down, try to relax, keeping a sense of Control. A few less miles isn’t going to make a big difference anyways. Dispatch knows it’s tough, don’t let them fool you. You’re probably doing a much better job than most. Take your time, be safe. Look at the big picture. This Job is only temporary.
nredfor88, GoneButNotForgotten and slow.rider Thank this. -
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Let me tell you guys a story...
I had dropped off a load somewhere in Jersey and then got dispatched to another pick-up somewhere near Hershey, PA. The deadhead was about 180 miles. So as I neared the shipper, I get a call from my DM telling me that the load was canceled. I went to a truck stop nearby and waited for another load. Usually with Stevens you don't have to wait long. They are huge. Sure enough, another job comes in on the Qualcomm after about 20 minutes. My load assignment says my pickup is back in Jersey somewhere. So as I look over the dispatch, I notice that the "paid miles" are extremely off. The paid deadhead was like 40 miles, but the pickup was like 150 miles away. I call my DM and tell him that the miles are wrong. (Keep in mind that I've only been with the company about 5 months.)
He says, "No, it is correct. The location is only about 40 miles from your last drop."
I say, "Yeah, but what about the 180 miles I just put in?"
He says, "No, that load was canceled so you don't get paid for that."
I say, "Is that so? I get paid by the mile. So unless you correct the numbers, I'm not accepting the load."
Crickets. Then he hangs up. I get another call about 10 minutes later from his supervisor asking me what the problem was. We had the same dialogue.
So he says to me, "Well we don't have any more loads in that area, so if you don't take this load, you will be sitting there a day or two."
I say, "Fine. I will sit here until you people either correct the numbers or get me another load a few miles from here."
He says, "Well there aren't any loads so I guess you'll be sitting." Then he hangs up.
I went over to a Pilot on I-81 just north of Harrisburg and stayed there the night. I don't get any calls the next day, so after showering, doing minor knick-knacks, and eating, I Ubered on up to the Penn National Casino and played poker the whole night. The next day my DM calls me laughing and gives me a load about 10 miles away. I think it was a Hershey load. So basically they were trying to play "chicken" with me to see if I would blink. But what they failed to remember was that I worked in the casino business for 15 years right before trucking. So I would have stayed there all week gambling, happier than a wolf in a henhouse.Last edited: Jun 14, 2021
DDRdan, nredfor88, Speed_Drums and 2 others Thank this. -
Blank white washcloths are often sold by the dozen. Pick up a few packs of those and start saving some larger beverage bottles to be refilled with tap water from the sink next to the coffee machines.
One washcloth folded into quarters with a few tbsp of water on it is enough to wash 4 areas. Face, armpits, and the two nether regions. Use a different quarter for each region. A second washcloth if you want to get between your toes.
Use an old coffee cup or soup can to rinse and spit into, and you can brush your teeth in the truck. Get yourself a 16oz gatorade bottle full of tap water and a towel, and now you've got everything you need to step out of the truck and wash and rinse your hair in the parking lot. Of course you'll want to throw on some shoes and pants first, then just bend over so the water doesn't run down your body.
Congratulations, you just took 85% of a shower. Best part is it only used 18 oz of water and didn't even take ten minutes total.Last edited: Jun 14, 2021
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Although I am not a big fan of job hopers in my opinion at this time there is no better time to be able to improve your employment situation.
Almost all companies are literally begging for employees in every aspect of the trucking industry and every other business in the US at this time.
With that being said many trucking companies and other businesses are for going the “pay your dues” mentality and bumping up pay because they need employees and they need them right now.
In this market you have a rare extreme employee driven market don’t waste the opportunity.
When the government stay at home pay runs out and people are forced back to work you will see it quickly turn back to an employer driven market but if you seize the opportunity it won’t matter to you because you will already be on your way.
Start researching and don’t delay.
.scott180 Thanks this. -
This is something I run across several times a month. New drivers getting run down and depressed. Right now 2 months is still VERY early in this business. Over time you will adapt. I also feel as @Hulld does. I just HIGHLY recommend staying put for 4 more months at a minimum. Take a break if you can afford it. -
Man, it’s gotta be tough working that long week, struggling, and then thinking about all the people sitting at home getting free money for the past year or so. Well stay positive and good luck, I’m sure it’ll work out for ya!
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