My first run experience.....HORRIBLE!

lol, at 8pm nearly every truck stop and rest area will be full unless you're driving in the Midwest. you might get lucky and find a spot on the ramp of a rest area though, maybe a weigh station

 

Dude! Although I'm don't think I quite had the number of dilemmas you had, I remember my first month solo and it was horrible! I was 59, so close to the same age when getting started. I cried, a grown man, several times that first month. It wasn't at 'break even' emotionally till about my 3rd month. AND, I did have a mentor and a darn good one at that. So, my 1st solo month was after a good month with a good trainer.
Anyway, just want to encourage you to hang in there. I'm so glad I didn't hang it up. I've been on the road a year and a half now and enjoy it quite a bit.
Sounds to me like you just need to slow down and take it easier driving. Don't try to 'keep up with other truckers. Never go faster than the speed you are comfortable with or the speed limit, whichever is slower. Driving one of these 70' long vehicles weighing up to 80,000 lbs is alot more different than most realize. You develop new driving habits and attitudes to match. It is also alot more mental work and concentration than a 4 wheeler. If you are new, and you've driven 4 or 5 hours and aren't exhausted from it, you probably aren't doing something right. It does take a little while to build up the demands of driving a rig 9 to 11 hours a day for days at a time. We all get there, but we don't start that way. Patience, pay attention to the basics, driving! and just have some faith and trust in yourself that you'll get there.
Lastly, when you get in a tight space and have other truckers waiting on you, ask them to help spot you. Truckers are a funny lot. They'll sit there and watch you struggle and be impatient about it. But, if you ask one to help, you'll be amazed at how helpful they will usually become.
Good luck to you and hang in there!

 

Bad advice........KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO PARK BEFORE YOU START YOUR TRUCK. Also, do not try to park at 8PM. Start your day no later than 0500. I try to start between 0000-0300. Parking is NEVER an issue between 1200-1500.

 

It’s like anything in life. You have to focus and see your goal and work for it. You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Discipline is mandatory.

 

Nothing wrong with switching from a different career at your given age. But the transition may vary for most. I started out at 21 and got experience here and there throughout the rest of my 20s. Mistakes were made, tempers flared and blew up, and many jobs were lost. Fortunately, all those bumpy roads led to a more stable career period that I'm enjoying now.

So who knows, these negative experiences may end up being something to reflect on every few years. Find out where it went wrong and how not to let it do you in again.

At the same time though, there's the other side of the coin. Where long time truckers are forced out of this and into another line of work where tolerances for their habits will be given less chances. I see the trucking industry as somewhat more forgiving than say, transferring into the service industry or something where you're now the only "old guy" and you've got 20 somethings as either your supervisors, or experienced co-workers. I'd imagine that would be just as bad of a "make or break" environment than any.

 

Don't worry you'll look back years from now and have fond memories of your new driver frustrations.

It's part of it. Everyone has done something dumb at one point.

 

Yes they say that "Presumption" is the mother of all evil and this experience proves just how true that can be. Unless you've known someone for a really long time its best to assume the worst that way you won't be let down so much it if proves your assumption of the worst proves wrong.

 

All we’re doing is just Driving. That’s what I’ve heard anyway. How hard can it be? Lol. No sweat, it’s a whole new world at first. Can easily become overwhelming, trying to remember everything, while dealing with all the unknowns. Just focus on task at hand. Nothing like a good challenge. Over time things become much easier. Take all the time you need, especially before starting to drive. Get trip plan, and direction routed before leaving out. I still make that mistake, pull out of a customer and go the wrong way! Lol. Only human.That anxious feeling that you’re in someone’s way, or being scrutinized, criticized, is all perception. Try not to buy into it. Relax, focus, concentrate on the moment. The Truck won’t do anything on its Own. You’re in control. Soon it will be easier than Driving a car. Second nature. Good repetitive habits helps in the times you need to act from reflexes. Half the Trucks you see flying around, tailgated, switching lanes, are inexperienced Drivers. They’ve just gotten comfortable taking chances. Riding on a false sense of security. Accidents looking for a place to happen. Let them go, stay away from them as much as possible. No need to quit, unless you just hate the Job. When you start feeling real confident and comfortable, be extra careful. Most accidents happen after 3-5 yrs. of Driving for a reason. No one who’s ever been involved in an accident, expected it to happen. No one.

 

Winner.

 

At the risk of repeating what others have already said (ha!), you should never start rolling without a plan.

More specifically, I work out my route (I use Google Maps, and always double check with Hammer for truck routes). I plan for fuel stops, and I locate places to park for my breaks. Common sense says that parking gets scarce starting in late afternoon/early evening, so I either plan to be parked by 5 pm or else plan to drive until well after midnight (early risers start freeing up parking about 3 am).

Truck stops are my least favorite places to try to sleep. I greatly prefer rest areas if there are any near my route. Best of all is if the customer allows overnight parking on site.

As far as actual driving is concerned, take it easy. The difference between driving like an aggressive snot-gobbler and a chillaxing mellow fellow is probably five minutes.