My second load and I screwed up….

Driver leader called me and asked me to alert the receiver I was running late so I decided to take an exit of the interstate. Little did I know this exit has the on ramp on the same side as the off ramp and you would need to make a unturn… I turned right (dumb mistake) and before I know it I was on a road with 5 cars behind and nowhere to turn around. And then after I realized there was no way I was going to get down off this mountain side road, I tried to back down the road (dumb mistake) I got caught in the mud and could get out. They had to tow me out and there was actually a place to back up about 2 miles down the road but they needed to clear the road of traffic in order to make the turns around the corner.

Luckily for me I’m back on the road and my truck only had a minor scratch. But it did cost the company for the tow which was about $1200.

I’ve been stressing about whether my trucking career is over since they are making me take a lid near the terminal and I did get a tricked the other day for out of date stickers. Sheesh, I haven’t had the truck a week and it’s like this trucking thing is no joke.

 

Your trucking career isn't over; just a bump in the road.

 

Alright. You didn't have an accident, you had an incident. You're fine.

For future reference, don't feel pressure to move until you absolutely KNOW what's going to happen. If the exit is different than you thought, STAY THERE until you know what's going on. A look up the road on your maps app could've saved you some headache.

Your future? Depends on your company. You'll get another job if they let you go. Just choose carefully if that becomes the case, because some second chance companies prey on drivers with damaged records for cheap labor.

 

Next time turn left and get back on the interstate going the opposite direction, then take the next exit and get flipped around.

 

You’ll be fine. I kind of did that once when I was still fresh. I-84 Eastern Oregon had to go. Pulled off the freeway on some ramp that led to a cement place. Drove down the road looking for a place to stop. Just hit the shoulder. Next thing I know my trucks sunk in leaning to the side. Surprised it didn’t tip luckily. Had to have two trucks come out to tow me out, one to pull and the other to stabilize the trailer. I got back out on the road and yup about a half mile was a proper turnout. Thought I was screwed, would go on my record, everything. Never heard a word about it from my company. If they let you go, you’ll find another job somewhere.

 

You now qualify to be a driver mentor for Western Express or Swift.

 

Lol look. He got rushed into making a bad decision. He doesn't know to hold his position, not apologize to the four wheelers...it's something that comes with experience.

Hopefully with time he'll know what he doesn't know and take his time.

 

You’re right, trucking is no joke. As you found out the hard way you can end up in a world of hurt very quickly.

Your dispatcher should have informed the receiver that you were running late or your nanny (driver leader) should have..

Imo it wasn’t your duty to make the call so maybe it’ll be a blessing if they fire you.

Anyway, cheer up it’s not the end of the world.

 

UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, never answer the phone while you are driving, let it go to voice mail and take your time, find a place to get off the road properly to listen to the message AFTER you park.

As for you calling the receiver, they should have done this for you when they see you are running late.

 

You will laugh about these goofs as you become more experienced and cars will no longer stress you.

As soon as you recognized where the on ramp was, this should be your automatic response. I prefer to do all communication with shippers and receivers myself, because I know my ETA better than anyone else, and it’s oh so much simpler to keep the office people out, but I don’t do late either. Do your best to be on time. Every time.

Luck in battle, friend.