I'm worried I can't do this job

Its not just them frieht is up just about all of us are going full blast my trk only does 62mph with all 11 hrs it can be grueling some days are harder than others but when my body wants to call it quits I think of my family and realize how bad they need the money I make.. its all about the money im not out here for my looks ....lol.. if you aint burnin your not earnin..

 

Work at Walmart.....

 

Driving 11 and off 10 is not particularly exhausting for me. But then again, I used to work 12-16 hour days in construction for 14 days straight with one day off. Even so, with my current company I've only had to do that schedule with two or three multi-day trips.

Don't let the company push you beyond what's legal, and you should do fine as a company driver.

None of the above applies if you're going to lease. The odds are against you as a lease operator with only one month of training.

 

Look at the posts from 200? til lately when guys where leaving to find work and have returned? Face your fears you'll be fine.

 

Also I only stay out the max of 3 weeks and take 4 days off...The goal is to erase your brain as well as possible so you can start fresh...for me that means spending quality time with my wife and kids..

 

I will say I do have some long days at times and it can be exhausting so I understand where you are coming from. This is the busy time of year for trucking so you will be going full blast right now. I would get it while the getting is good. You are protected under the HOS rules so your company can not force you to go beyond the legal limit without repercussions. If you are that close to getting your own truck, stick it out until you get it. Once you are on your own you can pace yourself a little more.

Many people have said it on this forum. Trucking is not for everyone. After getting a small taste of it I can believe it. Figure out where you want to be 2-3 years down the road. If you think it is trucking, stick it out because it does get better the longer you stay in it (more options, better pay, etc.). Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

Steve C,...1st off, rubberducky68 gave you some great advice, but now , you have a few choices to make man , some of them will be really hard , but they're gonna have to be made. You are in an industry that is making money only when the freight is being picked-up or delivered. You as the driver are the main gear in that transmission.....get used to it , or move on...sometimes its just that simple. Now I said that , to say this...YOU ARE IN CONTROL....never ever forget that. The HOS rules are there for your protection and any body that you meet on the roads also. Some places say that you MUST move the load or you're fired.....let 'em fire you dude...then take your logs to the nearest DOT office and file a complaint...it may not get you your job back, but answer me this...would you rather be UN-employed , with a CDL to go and find work elsewhere or ....DEAD.

Some companies out here will run you right up to the limit..and as long as your legal...well it is what it is. If you can hang on and try to get hired at another place, then I would say try that...If you are having 2nd thoughts about driving a truck for a living then get out NOW....don't be pushed over your limits , thinking that they care , they don't.....What will happen is you will try and do as they ask/demand, knowing that you are too tired or out of time, you'll get involved in an accident and if you're found to be out of hours they will put it all on you....and legally that can happen...YOU are the responsible party.

If you decide to push forward with these guys and try to get your 1st year in..then make sure that you run legally.....document everything to the 1/4 hour if you must, but document everything. Refuse to drive illegally, or too tired....even if you are legal to drive...You may have to be alittle hard-headed with them..but once they see that you won't be pushed , then they may back off some....I know you need to support your family, and that is commendable, but you can't do it from a hospital bed ...or a grave man.....Good Luck!

 

Might need to re-think that post StayBusyTrucker....It ain't all about the money...nope , no sir....Its about being safe...period. "if you ain't burnin your not earnin" that will get you or someone else killed in a hurry.....just saying.....you said it yourself......"when my body wants to call it quits I think of my family and realize how bad they need the money I make"..... listen to that statement real carefully...when your body reaches a certain point....it WILL shut down...without warning....or so subtlety that you won't/can't realize it til its too late... what will happen to your family then. I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job..only give you what I think is sound advice...it may save your life..

 

One idea that may keep you going is, what is the alternative? The economy is bad and getting worse & will probably never be as good as it once was. That's what kept me going, thinking of my wife and children needing a good income to keep them at a standard of living they could be proud of. I drank lots of coffee/no sugar, pigged out on the salad bar with no dressings instead of full meals with red meat, popped vitamin supplements & my body adjusted just fine and I'm still healthy to this day. By the way, I ran hard OTR. Look at the less stressful trucking jobs also, the OTR tanker or flatbed are much easier and less stressfull than reefer or van, due to the quality of people you deal with at shippers & receivers.