Rookie Anxiety/Frustration?

The first few months are HORRIBLE. He is dealing with learning how everything works, he still doesn't even know what he doesn't know, he gets the cruddy loads, he is dealing with missing you, and he is wondering what on earth he has gotten himself in to. Sound familiar?

The driving is the easy part. If he could drive all day the job would be a piece of cake. Handling the truck, backing up, knowing that part of the job, that's easy. The hard part is the wrong directions, waiting, trying to plan his time, waiting, dealing with rude shippers/receivers, waiting, the lack of respect given to drivers, waiting, the attitude from people that he should already know everything when he doesn't, and did I mention waiting?

He will want to quit a dozen times, even if he doesn't have the guts to tell you that.

The most important thing to tell him is that this part will pass. The light at the end of the tunnel is coming. He will look back at this part of the job and laugh at himself over the rookie mistakes and frustrations that he had. No matter how bad it is right now, make sure he doesn't quit. He has to give the job a year before he can really decide if he likes it or not. Everyone started off this lost, confused, frustrated, and lonely. He is not alone. Be there for him whenever he needs to vent, listen, but don't get all emotional or defensive. Let him talk himself out of whatever jam he got in to, help him with directions or weather reports, and let him ramble on. Do everything that you can to not stress him out while he is out there the first few months.

 

This is good advice...when I started driving back in 99 I bet I told myself I was going to quit 100 times. The drivers get no respect at all out there and this alone will be hard to deal with. Yes the first few months are HORRIBLE I agree.... You can have him talk to someone at a truck stop about his logs if that will help. But there is a lot of help on here as well. I hope he gets more comfortable before winter hits. If he doesnt have a good cb in the truck nows the time to get one. They can really help when your lonely, looking for directions, construction updates, and road hazards ect. Even a xm radio and pictures of his family will help too maybe even a blanket and pillow from your bedroom that hes used to will help him feel better. Kinda like a new little puppy withouts its momma, you always keep something from the momma in its sleep area....."This to shal pass"

 

tell hubby it gets easier.

A simple formula for figuring ETA.

Total Miles divided by 50, then add 10 to the sum, for every multiple of 12.

IE Trip is 900 miles

Divide by 50 = 18 plus 10 equal 28

If he's scheduled to pick up at 9am, he can plan on being there by 1:00 pm the next day.

If he is delayed at the shipper...everything should shift according to the number of hours delayed. IE Leave at 11am, in by 3:00pm the next day.

Most likely he will get there much earlier. It depends on how steady he is at driving. Nobody averages 50, it's just the number the majority of drivers use to calculate ETA's

Using this formula, he has to be really careful about telling dispatch he can't make it.

IE Load is 1200 miles -- preloaded trailer 9am tuesday.

He realistically should deliver just before his second break, wednesday evening, if at all possible. Instead of thursday morning after the break.

Hope that helps.

 

Yes yes yes, Lady! I just spoke to my Moma and we were discussing that. Some of the stuff you hear on the CB will keep him laughing and also the added noise will help to not feel alone plus he can chat with another driver to keep from feeling alone. We do have a CB that my Daddy used but that too got left here when he went to get his truck because we didn't know if he would have to hitch a ride. It will be installed as soon as he gets to come home again.

Let him know that we all went through it and it WILL get easier. If it doesn't after he gets to his 6 month maybe he can find something that keeps him a little closer. Let us know... As my grandmother used to say...This too shal pass

 

I might suggest this to you as well.. If you can find family or friends to help watch your little one for a couple of weeks, you might want to consider going with him for a time. My wife went with me and it was a big help...

 

Trust me she calmed me down a lot, and she helped when she could..

 

What are you lookin' for?

TRANNY?!
Who'd she go out with THIS time?

When did Tranny finally get back in? .

Wait'll tomorrow.

YuP!
I agree.

And, as an added bonus, ..... he survived!
HeY!
Goin' through that stuff is GONNA happen.
Why not get it over with right off the bat?
Learnin' how to handle that stuff within short radius of a terminal is better than tryin' to figure it out on the road --- to New York City.

I wouldn't look at this experience as totally unnecessary.
NopE!
Odds are, break-downs are gonna happen.
How a driver handles those situations is very important.
An experience that can be more stressful for even a seasoned Big truck truck driver.
Those who have already had "shop" experience, should be a step ahead of the game.

Here's what I did ------
I used the time to bump elbows with the mechanics whenever I could. Got to know them by name.
Asked questions --- got REAL answers.

I respected that.
In return, I made SURE we were all communicatin'.
I personally described the situation to the proper mechanic(s), and kept the frame spotless, well, ....... for a company truck.
NO grease on the frame rails or 5th wheel slider, though.

I'd call them on the phone, sometimes,.........
But I NEVER rush a mechanic!
NopE!
When mechanics ask when a driver needs his/her Big truck, I bet they hear YeSTERDay! a lot.
Me?
I tell 'em when THEY say they can have 'er ready and right.
After all, they don't tell me when to drive!
And usually buy 'em a soda.
(But I've been known to smuggle a case, ......... of beer into the waiting truck of a car. Timed it just right, too.
Friday --- quittin' time.
And the beer was ice cold.

I sat around and downed a few myself, .... with them.
You'd be AMAZED what'cha can learn about drivin' a Big truck from mechanics.

If a driver is shuttling Big trucks that need repair,
Shux Howdy!
Ask the mechanics who work on them, which one they'd recommend of any of the Big trucks up for grabs.
Find one?
Call dispatch, or whomever, and request THAT Big truck.

After all the bovine excrement of learnin' about shuttlin' trucks and mechanical procedures, a thankful and appreciative dispatcher, or whomever, could figure they owed a driver that much.

If not, the experience is priceless, anyway.

Am I alone?
Or does anyone else have issues remembering what PTA & ETA, ..... are.

And this great forum thanks goodness for you, too ---- I'm sure.

You probably already know what my opinion of those who keep the home-20 fires burnin', ........ is, .......... right?
Hardest of the two jobs, ---- IMO.

Even solo drivers drive "team" --- if they have a family.
Working WITH each other will have a better chance of success.
Are you even aware how much the home-20 support you're providing means to a newBee/rookie out there?
Can y'all imagine a constant barrage of
WHEN are you gonna git'chr buttox the hail home, buster?!
YeEE gawds!

Flowers to you, mi amiga --- for doin' what'cher doin'.

I think that experience will begin to wane after a little more truckin' experience.
Right now, the support displayed will be beneficial.
But after awhile,.................

Sounds like you were where you were needed
most, under the circumstances.
Ya reckon.

Hmmmmmmm
I'd say chances are good that he's tellin' you the truth.

There AIN'T no cryin' in Big truck truckin'!
So it musta been for you, ..... and the kids.

No doubt.
And to be expected.
Show me a trainee lacking frustration and anxiety, .....
and I'll show them the door on the right.
Sorry!
You lose.

Next contestent!
Uhhhhh, ....... don't hit anythang on yer way out.

WhATs WRONG with him?!!!

ToP priority right now is his
ATTITUDE!
A good attitude.
Look on the bright side, where some don't see the light.
What'cher goin' through IS a learnin' experience, if y'all will just realize that.

Will y'all make mistakes?
GooD gawd!
I hope so.
Not serious.
But educational mistakes.
Learn from 'em.

Every cloud has an equal and oppossite reaction to the silver lining, that every cloud has,..............
or sumthin' like that.
I forget.
Memory.
Second thang to go
doncha know.

You're kiddin' --- right?
Like, ........ we're 'sposed to amit it, right here in front of thousands of readers?
I don't THINK so.

A few weeks.
But something out of the ordinary can always pop up, from time to time.
Has hubby had to fill OUT a B.O.L. himself, yet?
And that will be THE paperwork.
Inventory ALL Items by product number.


Best advice?
Just start studyin' B.O.L.'s.
Don't jus t get 'em signed.
ReallY LOOK at them.
Read 'em.

I, Shakey AfterShock, have NO experience in that area.

And NoW, I hear a shout from a Lady in Dallas.
Come in, Lady D!