The OTR loneliness

Nice thing about texting?
You have something in writing.

So when dispatcher A tells you to go to location X and 4 hours later dispatcher B asks you why you're going there you can say, "A told me to,"

A: "no I didn't!"
Copy-paste-boom!

A laptop would be nice, but mine quit working around 2013 and at the time I didn't have the funds to replace it. Then when I did, I didn't like that the later versions of Windows were trying to mimic an Apple OS. Then someone got us a tablet for Christmas, then we bought another.

90% of MY computer use is websurfing, message boards, YouTube and news sites. So an iPhone gets the job done. The tablets at home have been stuffed with apps and games (wife and kid)

I do need a storage space for all the pics I take and want to keep and paying "rent" for the Cloud is not acceptable. My brother in law had a cool printer that printed onto photo quality paper. Might be a nice Christmas gift, print out all these family pics on my phone, get an honest to goodness photo album.

I've been thinking if I get another "computer" do I want a tablet for portability? Or a maxed out gaming tower to play things like Skyline, Star Citizen, or Minecraft?

Of course all of those would involve such an investment in time I'd have to not be working. I have Minecraft on my Xbox and I've barely scratched the surface. Lol

 

Please tell me you are NOT planning to use your phone even with texting as proof of improper or illegal instructions from your company! Please don't reply about texting, I know what it is. I know how the system works. However I get the impression you don't fully understand that QC and what is is. Yes, in such an event where outside Law Enforcement are involved your phone carrier has those texts. However this IS NOT what the company safety dept is going to want or have routine access to. They already have a built in system to archive QC messages. I am going to state this as nicely as I know how. You don't know how many different computer systems a carrier uses. You don't know how these systems are interconnected. You don't know what a safety dept has to do to satisfy the FMCSA in regard to compliance. Please put that phone down when communicating with your company. NEVER move your vehicle in an unsafe manner or such a way that a company rule is violated. If you get such an instruction make SURE IT IS ON THE QC.

If I wanted to I could write a tome as large as the forum software would allow on example after example of where drivers have lost these battles. I know a safety critter with a top 10 mega carrier that will not accept anything other then that QC in a dispute between the carrier operations and a driver. You try bringing in a phone text and you will lose. Now I know you are going to reply to this with a snarky reply that will be either you do it your way and I will do mine my way, or you will simply insult me and tell me I don't know what I speak of. I hope you don't do this. Further I hope you have the good sense to not violate a FMCSA or a company rule EVEN with a QC instruction. I also hope you never are put in that situation where you regret not listening to my advice on this. USE ONLY THE QC WITH OFFICIAL LOAD INSTRUCTIONS!

 

I suspect people like me are a minority:

I do not get lonely, and I never get bored. I've been his way my entire adult life.

I recently started driving OTR and I love almost everything about it. I'm sure I will eventually burn out on various aspects of the job.

 

Today I am 60 years old. With the exception of 3 times in my life I have lived a solitary life. All 3 of those relationships lasted less then a year. Women are nice, but I have discovered I am happier without one. I recently had a kitten to enter my life. There are times when even people that are married get lonely. I think we all get lonely, but I think some people don't understand it as being lonely. I do get bored. In fact I easily get bored. However when I was driving I never let that boredom cause me to lose focus on my driving. I'm not going to repeat my earlier posts. OTR truck driving has changed, and in my opinion in this subject not for the best!

 

Moose, you're assuming my company uses QC.

We don't.

 

I gave that comment made some thought before I hit enter. I did take a minute with that possibility. However because of the way you made your comment I felt then and still do that my comment was valid. If you are not using a QC that is fine. This means most likely you are with a very small fleet. So if you are getting dispatch information via texts then yes, your comment is right on. However I suspect the majority of active drivers in these forums are using QC. Just reinforcing this point. When dealing with the company ALWAYS make them use the QC. I once had night dispatcher disturb my 10 with a phone call, I was in our main company terminal taking a 10 waiting for a repower to come in from Nebraska. I told the guy to put it on the QC. This guy had a bad habit of doing this with drivers in the terminal. I went back to sleep knowing he would not bother me again. That QC is your best friend when it comes to preserving improper messages. The information can't be removed. NEVER NEVER NEVER allow a dispatcher, roadside assistance, shop or even safety contact you with anything official via the phone. make em use the QC or a signed letter!

 

The biggest thing I hate is the Stigma of being a truck driver.

I have 2 different women in the last year that were very interested in having a relationship until I later dropped on them that I am in Logistics.

 

In my company, it's less about law enforcement and more about office politics with the various departments.

 

I’ve been a loner since I can remember. This job is perfect. I like a little social contact but that’s about it. Any conversations longer than 5 minutes I tend to find excuses to get out.

 

Happy birthday and congrats on your little kitten. A good cat or dog can be great company and friend.