A Newbie's Outlook After 1st Home Time

Well, it's been a LONG 7 weeks, but I finally got to come home for 4 days. (1st week orientation, 3 weeks with trainer, then 3 out on my own.) Let me say first before anyone starts yellin, I CHOSE to wait until now to come home rather than right after soloing out so my wife could take some time off as well. I'm heading back tomorrow am and called my DM today to tell him I'd be ready to roll at 8am from the Yolo Yard.
Couple of thoughts after my first 8 weeks with May....
I definitely feel as though I chose the right company for my first time getting into this career. And after seeing some of the other rat traps some other companies give their drivers to drive and live in, I am once again, glad I went with May. I got an International Prostar that may not have as much power as the Pete I trained in, nor the kick *** stereo of the Pete, but it does drive like a Cadillac and turn on a dime! Have there been times that my DM had me running on fumes LITERALLY before fueling? Sure. (#### Ca mountains!!)Have there been times my DM has tried to push me into taking a load I knew would be late and told him repeatedly so? Sure. (Can you say HD?) Do I still feel as though this has been a great experience? Yup. Am I ready to throw in the towel and head home? NOPE!
Granted I moved from Atlanta Ga to San Anselmo Ca in November, so I didn't have much chance to enjoy the 'nicer' weather of the new place until this past weekend of home time. It did make me realize that staying gone on the road for a permanent job isn't for me. However, with that being said, I do still have the support of my wife and family. And my wife, as well as I, both realize that in order for me to find something closer to home that will get me home more often, (at least on weekends preferably) , I'll need to pay my dues and put in my time. I almost fell prey to jumping ship to a company that promised more home time, but I came to my senses before I made any mistakes.
I am still actively looking for local jobs around the Bay area, only because I know its not normal, local jobs DO come open for newbies like myself with good records if I'm in the right spot at the right time. I am planning on sticking it out with May until something closer to home comes along, Probably 6 months to a year, realistically 1 year, but I'm staying optimistic.
I've just found out Brooks ordered a new hood for my truck, so I'm guessing I'll be in Brooks over the next few days. When I do, I plan on having a sit down with my DM, (or Carol, not sure which?), and discussing the 48 states option. So far I've been on the 11 Western, and I'm getting the hang of it, places to stop, times to get to places, etc... And my miles haven't been bad, last week was about 2800. However, I know the 11 Western aren't going to give me those kind of miles consistently, so I'm going to probably tell my DM to swap me over to all 48. But I did tell my DM if I end up with a preplan headed into Jersey or NYC I'm going to suddenly have a stomach flu.
Any of you that changed over from the 11 Western to all 48, can you give any insight? Should I try and hold out for a newer truck? Any down sides to it over the Western 11 besides obviously getting home on time? I've heard that May is putting a cap on days off to 3 regardless of how long you are out. I actually had a hard time getting 4 for this time round even though I've been out for 7. So if that is the case, once I'm on 48, should I put in for home time then at 3 weeks out? Or is that pointless and plan on putting in for home time at 5 weeks and suck it up?

 

Since I've got to head into Brooks to get my new hood installed they ordered for me, I noticed I've got about 3k until my next service is due. I figure I might as well tell them to service it now if I'm going to go 48... I really wish I was getting a newer one since I feel the power in this IHC is lacking a little. But then again, it would be my luck I'd get one with major issues....

 

Well I had my talk with my DM. I told him I feel more comfortable on the 11, and he said that right now the way freight is moving out east, I'd end up getting stuck doing short runs up and down the east coast. So I've decided to stay on the 11. I did however explain to him that even though I realize I'm new and have to 'pay my dues' as it is, these weeks of 5 runs under 400 (sometimes under 300), and the delivery times being the following day minimum aren't going to work. He said he woould see what he could do about getting me off of the I5 since that, exception for one run to Usk, is all that I've been getting. And so what did I get first run out after that? A 240 mile load due the next day, then the next one 1.5 hrs away from my drop yesterday that couldn't be loaded until 1500 today, can't be delivered until tomorrow, and is only a 360 mile trip.... UGH... I know its not the DM, but the planner that puts these runs in, but since my DM is new, and unfortunately getting all the newbies I hear, I'm starting to wonder if the planners are only giving him short runs because of it? Then again I did meet another driver that is also under the same DM and he's averaging 3k a week.

Also, thanks everyone for chipping in about my hometime/days question. That answered a lot of my concerns. Even after all this, I STILL feel that May was the best company for me to start learning from. However, I am going to keep my eyes open for someone that has a yard or terminal closer to San Fran for later on. Obviously my eventual goal, which I know won't be easy with me still being green, will be to find a local job closer to home. But for now I'm going to stick it out with May. If they can ever get me off of this &$#*ing up and down i-5, 3-400 mile runs only!!!! AAAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!

Okay, I feel better after my outburst. Going to sit in the back of the class again. Thanks for listening.

 

Okay, just so it can never be said that I only complain about the negative, and not report the total story, I was just sent a PP for a run thats a little under 800 miles. Getting better, but it cant be delivered until 4 days from now, and once again, I-5 here I come again.. But hey, at least i'm rolling. And even though its 3 and a half days for 800 miles, its better than 2 days for 250, right?