2 weeks of school left, scared to drive local?

Nobody runs before they walk, that's the point here.

 

Personally, you couldn't pay me enough to go back to doing Dollar General, I did it for two weeks and told the company either they take me off the account or I was leaving. And handed the OPS manager my keys. What I am saying is...you need to be able to handle a truck in forward and reverse before trying to go local. You need to find an account that is not just highway driving, but has a lot of city driving and stuff.

 

I started driving a bulk truck (48' trailer with twin screw day cabs) locally at Coca Cola at age 19. I remember the first several times I had to back in to tight grocery store docks or the terrifying experience of backing from a main drag with people waiting. I survived and so will you, OP. Just remember, there's a fine line between fear and respect. You may lose your fear, but a true professional always respects the rig and other drivers.

 

I agree with your instructors on this one. I think your having new driver jitters. Yes i think new grads can cut it driving local.I actually know many that have. If local is what you want then do it. I think everyone is different on how they handle things, For me i was so excited to get in a truck and drive, I really cant recall having any fear i just loved trucks. Do your best to relax in this last 2 weeks of school and it will all come together for you.

 

I was terrified.
Loved it.
Conquered it.
You'll be fine.

 

Most of the old timers i talk to who have 20-40 years experience all started out locally. They were fine. Be smart, take your time, G.O.A.L. 50 times if thats what it takes to not hit anything. Dont let anyone - your dispatcher, an ### hole shipper/guard/forklift driver, ANYONE - rush you. Stay on your toes and you will be fine.

 

After a week or two of 40+hours driving it will all fall in place if you paid attention. Just take it slow, be cautious and if you can't find it grind it! First load I ever hualed was maxed out at on a six wheeler. I probably took every slight curve at 5 mph. Felt like I was two foot over the lines on each side of the truck. If you are reading ttr you're already miles ahead of most drivers I've meet. Also just look around at truck stops at other drivers. If they can do it so can you!

 

Absolutely agree with this statement. I've also done foodservice and LTL, and their are some really tight places that even experienced drivers will have problems, let alone a rookie driver with no experience. Think of some of the places you have to deliver to in LTL, not to mention the residentials as well. You think a rookie has the knowledge to make residentials without tearing down powerlines? Or try delivering to South Philly, on a one way street, with cars on both sides, and trying to backin from there. Learning how to backup in major cities is no place for a rookie driver, because the people downtown will not have the patience for a rookie to learn how to backup. Yes there are people that pick it up really quick, and yes you will learn how to backup quicker starting local, but what good is that if you don't know how to backup from the get go. Learning how to backup from the safety of a school is one thing, learning how to backup in the real world is anouther thing. And you also gotta remember that your there to make money for the company. If your being counterproductive, by missing pickup and deliveries, what good is being local if you don't have a job in the end.

 

You may get the hang of the truck real fast like I did and I'm sure so many others did when we first started out, one question you may want to ask yourself is, what if you take an OTR position and your first load delivers in the middle of a big city? Do what you feel most comfortable with and follow your gut instinct, good luck in your new adventure!!

 

What the hell makes you think OTR will be any easier to drive for. The biggest difference between OTR and LTL is the quality of the companies your drive for. OTR companies will have you hitting the same docks as the LTL companies. Only in OTR, you will be doing those same backs with a 53', sleeper truck, and about 4 hours of sleep.