First impressions of doing OTR

As I’ve heard the first year in trucking is the hardest.Even though I haven’t even hit the 6 month mark so far so good for me. I wouldn’t describe it as hard but more of a learning experience. Truck driving school just gets you your license but this is where you gain hands on experience. I will admit my trainer was kind of a PITA, to be expected. And I did gain a lot of experience from driving longer 53 ft trailers compared to the 40/45’s I practiced in.Not to mention mountain driving and driving on windy roads. Driving in congested urban areas was intense at first but after the first few times I felt more at ease. Also getting used to driving with a loaded trailer tipping the scales just shy of the 80,000 pound mark, holy crap was what I said to my self when I started driving it. Second time I drove a loaded trailer I just shrugged my shoulders.
During my first week while still with my trainer I witnessed a truck on the opposite side of the road come around a turn to quickly and rolled over. Goes to show what can happen if your not careful!. Jet lag is another thing I deal with entering different time zones. As much as I enjoy driving trucks it does feel good after 8-11 hours of driving to get out of the drivers seat and lay down. After a long period of time behind the wheel my butt/back/neck hurt, although some days it isn’t so bad. I really enjoy working by myself and I love the peace and quiet, neither of which existed at my old job. And speaking of my old job I wouldn’t go back to it if I was held at gun point.The solitude doesn’t bother me as I’m a pretty solitary person and I don’t mind being away for a month. Eventually I do want to be home at least weekly if not every day. Anyone who can’t handle being a long haul truck driver is a sissy, grow a pair.

 

Swift of all companies!.

 

Im not slamming local drivers at all I will probably be one myself once I get more experience. The drivers I’m slamming are the 80-90% that don’t even make it to the 1 year mark regardless of if they quit or got fired. I see YouTube videos and read job board reviews about all the mega carriers on indeed/Glassdoor. What a bunch of babies, I never see my family/friends/ I’m never home. Or my truck broke down I’m sitting in traffic I don’t make any money. All those whiners need to drink a nice tall glass of get over yourself!.