Day by day adventures of a new solo OTR driver

I was hired on out of school. I am sure they have a time limit that they want you to get on with them after you graduate school, I'm not sure about how long though. I don't have my hazmat - they told me they'd like me to get it within 90 days. Unless they threaten to fire me over it, I don't plan to get it for at least my first year... I want to be very, very comfortable before I start pulling hazmat loads.

 

So, back home for a day while my truck is in the shop. Remember that issue I've been having with the drag and pull on the front left brakes for so long? The issue I've had 3 shops look at and all they do is adjust the brakes, tell me the slack adjuster is working fine and send me on my way? Well, today I found out what the problem really was. More on that in a minute.

I finally got through Charlotte to get my plate picked up and go through the "safetrack" thing they make all new drivers go through to basically check and make sure you are still being a safe driver. This consisted of several different things:

First we were put on the simulator, there were 2 different scenarios - one is city driving - you have to basically follow signs and detours through a city as if you were "lost" and do so safely. Speed doesn't matter, I rarely got out of low range during the city part. I hate these simulators, but it was no big deal. The second scenario is highway driving, with some traffic and dealing with construction zones, people pulling out in front of you, merging, etc. Again, no big deal, lost a couple points because my following distance was too close in the construction zone - the brake pedal on the simulator does not accurately simulate air brake "feel" in the least so I got a little close when slowing down. No problem though, plenty of points left over for passing.

Next we went out to our own real trucks and did coupling and uncoupling with a trailer, remember to check to look to see that the brake shoes are against the drums on the trailer and check to make sure the pins for the tandems are locked in - they are looking for this - as well as making sure that when you back under the trailer the 5th wheel picks up the trailer substantially so there is no chance of a high-hook. I made sure to go over Schneider's official coupling/uncoupling sheet the night before so this wasn't a big deal either.

Then we backed into a spot at the lot, remember to make sure to get out and look at least once. No problems with that either.

Lastly we did a trip plan - you have to use that stupid trip plan sheet that is in the resource books when you go through class - its a pain in the rear but I was able to remember how to do it for the most part. Enter that data in the Qualcomm, they basically look for the green checkmarks and tell you that you passed. Done.

So, I wanted to talk with someone there about the issue I've been having - poor miles, poor communication, etc. I waited and waited and eventually got fed up and decided to take my truck to the shop while I was sitting around. I had lots of smaller issues, needed to get my new license plate installed, door hinge looked at, cb antenna fixed, windshield leaking water on the passenger side, power mirror not working, windshield washer not working, Qualcomm making the speakers pop and hiss, etc., etc., etc. But before I took the truck in the shop I decided to look it over real well and look for anything I may have missed. So, I got around to that front brake. Why is this freaking thing still having issues? Why am I CONSTANTLY having to have the brakes adjusted for just this one side? I looked closer at it where the mount for the brake chamber meets the s-cam tube. Something didn't look right. I still had my sledgehammer in my hand from checking the tires and gave the mount a little whack. Sure enough, the whole chamber slams back and the mount had completely broken off where it was attached to the s-cam tube. THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS. I asked the guy at the service desk about this and apparently its a common issue with these Freightliners - and it happens slowly so you might not always see it start the crack and bend back if its covered in grease until it finally breaks completely free. Welp... out of service goes the truck.

So, I get told my truck will probably be ready to go Sunday morning - we'll see... I'm not too hopeful.

After that I finally got to discuss some issues I've been having with crappy miles, crappy communication, etc., with them there and we'll see if stuff improves once I get off the 0-90 day DBL as they say it will. I really hope it does because it has GOT to improve otherwise I'll be looking elsewhere. But, I want it to work out, so I'll stick around and if it improves, then great, if not, then we'll worry about that when the time comes.

So, I got home this evening and will have tomorrow off and maybe return on Sunday... maybe. I finally got to drive my old Dodge truck home from the OC for the first time in a month - I do not want to know how many gallons of diesel fuel I burned between Charlotte and here... let me just say after being stuck in a truck that can only do 63 MPH for weeks on end I was sure to enjoy the fun a 12v Cummins with a 5spd and 3.55 gears and the fuel turned up can provide...

Until next time.

 

From what I can tell it REALLY depends on what OC you are based out of. When I was back for Safetrack I talked with another driver that I went through training with, he has had the exact same issues that I have been having with miles and getting stuck doing the northeast hellhole. I will say I will kinda miss my old truck, its had its problems but its been good to me. A brand new one I would be so scared of putting one little scratch on it, because you know they will be watching...