One month on my own.. need some advice

bigger question is why does anyone want to work an in industry where you get less than 34 hours off a week?

I never understood run off your recap, they explained it to me once, I tried it and went over my 70 hours, anymore I just sorta keep driving, if I have a concern about hours I let my FM know, he usually doesn't even respond, if I go over and the log department catches it then make me call in and they give me a talking to.

TMC... we'll send you home 400 miles empty Friday night but make you load at 2am Sunday morning, and don't forget to leave Sunday with enough time to get a full 10 hour break!

 

HUH?... How are you only getting 34 hours or less off a week?
There is there is a 168 hours in a weeks... with only 34 hours off that leaves 134, if you divide that over 7 days that is just under 20 hours a day...
So, even if you are driving only 11.. what are you working on or doing the other 8 hours in a day..

 

Hey driver hang in there. I was an outsider who came into the freight biz without a clue. Passed my road test, was told to see the dispatcher for my manifest and away I went. No clue where things were, how to get into them, what door to hit Etc. needless to say, I made a lot of turn arounds back in those days.It gets easier when you start to learn the system, how to deal with the locations you deliver and pick up from. I think we all had those stressfull days starting out, but it does get easier as time goes on, so just hang in there.

 

My first trainer was a very meticulous, effecient, organized experience driver... It wasn't untl I ran with a driver who wasn't effecient... horrible time management... and not very organized... he always tried to cut corners... bu he only made things harder... it was much, much, much more difficult and stressful to run with him than my first trainer...
There is a groove to things... you have to develope good habits... and once you get the groove of things... it all comes together and really isn't that bad... even when things come up aong the way or at the shippers/receivers....

As rookies... we really need to make sure to develope those good habits that successful drivers do all the time automatically....

 

off = home

I am not "off" when I am in a 5x8 box.

 

Amen carter!! When I'm off, I do what I want and go where I want, I'm not off on a 10 yr break, I'm off when I'm home!!

 

If you only consider time off as the time you are at home, why are you truck driving?

I'm not being sarcastic, just curious.

 

People act like this is the only industry that requires time away from home . All forms of transportation require it - rail , ships , air . I worked for a company where we'd go on location and work 12 hour days for 3 or 4 weeks straight . Salespeople travel all the time . My BIL was an accountant and he traveled to China , Mexico , and France .
If you don't want to be away from home don't take a job that requires it and don't expect any sympathy .
There are plenty of people out there that would gladly take your place . Why don't you stay home and give them a shot at it ?
I look at people serving in the military and what they go through and people like you make me have even more respect for them .

 

I started CDL school today in SW Ohio, had the TMC recruiter in, I want to get into flatbed, and as far as I can see TMC gives you good training, I'm looking not to make TMC my career, just want to get the experince with a good flatbed co. I was in sales for 28 years and travel 3 out of 4 weeks and loved it. There was a guy in class today asking if he could work part time so he could be home a few days a week, lol.