My first job in a van Trailer as a P&D Driver, Will track my first Year!

Hello,
I am a 26 Year old truck driver and have done flatbed since i started. I recently got a job doing local P&D with a 53' Van trailer and i joined this site in hopes of geting advice and help about what to expect and tips and advice. The support has been Great and overwhleming with alot of drivers wanting me to keep them posted on how things go with the different areas of advice i have received. I know not every one is interested in this and will never read it but for the view who asked, this is my attempt at that. Hopefully it can help a few other newbies at this as well if they run across it.

Feel free to leave comments or questions or anything you would like. Connecting with other drivers is always fun.


I start the new position March 10th with a brand new 2013 Kenworth runing in a radius of 250 miles of Columbus, Ohio. Hitting my Fuel/Safety bonus will be a challenege as i learn my routes and new position so hopefully all goes well. Thinking of investing in a Commercial GPS unit, Any thoughts???

 

Good Luck to you

 

So who did you go with?

 

I guess i did forget that part, I accepted a job with a smaller company called Honey Bee Express. I enjoy the feeling of the small companys where you more then a employee number. I have had pretty good luck with it up to this point.

 

GPS's are nice tools to have! They help with time management, but are limited in what they can do! Remember to use all the tools you have. Your experience, your paper map, customer directions and common sense. You can't drive a truck with only an accelerator! You also need brakes, engine, truck body, frame.... etc.

 

girlsdrivetoo nailed it with "They help with time management, but are limited in what they can do!" I have a Rand McNally GPS but it's far from perfect and will never replace the need for doing a detailed trip plan... which will always include my paper maps/atlas.
Have fun - Drive safe - Good luck!

 

Log 1 - Oreintation

Went to my company oreintation yesterday. So far everything sounds good with this company. Then again, dont they all make it sound good haha. The new trucks we are suppose to get have been help up a month do to the factory not getting them built on time. So they are renting some from ryder for the time being. No big deal to me. They also have phones we are going to be useing to track Routes and pickup and delivery spots. I also had to do more paperwork for this company then i have ever had to do before. lol

I will be starting next monday and cant wait to get started.

 

Good for you! Welcome to LTL! I think you'll enjoy it. Definitely a far cry from flatbedding, I'm sure!

 

Did you get yourself a GPS? Just curious.
Drive Safe & Have Fun!

 

Yes sir, went with the 7" rand mcnally, did the update on it when I got home and I I'm going to take it for a test run tomorrow in my car.