A Couple of Questions Concerning Stress and Job Satisfaction

I have learned to deal with the stress of the industry. Some say I have a bad attitude because :
If you want it there on time, get me loaded on time.
If you want me to drive all night, then get me a driver to drive while I sleep.
If you can't give me proper trip or load information, then how do you expect me to complete the job, I can't read minds.
If you don't like the job I am doing then fire me and save both of us a head-ache.
If you force dispatch me, you just force me to find another company.

In my ten year career I have never been fired. The companies I have worked for have given me an open door return policy if I need work. I want to enjoy this job, not become a slave to it.

It is attitude that will determine your success or distress in the trucking profession. Create your own work well attitude and stick to it. If your new to trucking it may take a few years, but you'll find it. Don't give in to the pressures and you may be surprised at the respect you eventually get. If you don't get the respect, then you don't want to work for that company anyway.

 

Traffic can be stressful when you see people driving erratic
Slamming on your breaks cause some idiot cuts in front of you making your load shift or get damaged.

Dispatcher constantly lying, could care less about you being legal

Cops constantly trying to make a buck off of you.

New truck drivers taking your hood off while you sleep.

Beggars constantly bothering you at truck stops.

Weather

Tight pickup/delivery times

Jerks at shipper/receiver (also includes guard shack security)

Constantly trying to read sign to make sure you don't miss something like a low bridge, no truck ext...

Trying to get to a shipper/receiver and having poor direction (even after you called and got them from the shipper/receiver)

and much much more

Owner operators have the additional stress in trying to run a business..
In a very competitive market at that...

 

Stress? whats that? That word is not in my vocabulary!! I don't suffer from stress, although My ex would say I'm a "carrier"... And yes, I'm perfect as well, have been ever since my hemmroid operation..

 

But isn't it wrong of an employer to even ASK this of an employee? In virtually any other industry, this wouldn't fly... right?

 

Pulling 12,450 of gasoline behind you can be stressful! But what makes a job nice is when the company realizes that the job in itself can be stressful. So there's no reason to stress about the load or breakdowns because you'll still get paid and the company backs you 100%. A relaxed driver is the best so I must be perfect too.

 

I sure wish I was perfect! Oh well! Guess we can't all be perfect! lol

 

Just dont get too stressed out about it

 

About the only things that get me stressed out are customers giving me last minute loads going where nobody wants to go, and paying nothing.

Drivers that don't give me check calls, then customers calling to find out where their stuff is and make me look like an idiot for not knowing... and then the driver acting like a d*** because I'm calling him to ask for an update.

Drivers that don't call when loaded or empty

DOT inspections that ALWAYS happen during time sensitive loads

Waiting for permits that are delayed for no good reason.

Those are the big ones that bug me, I'm sure there are some others as well. I think the only one I really get stressed about is the first one though. :smt091 The others just aggravate me. :smt104