Yup, one year ago this week I started school in Dallas. Cool. And I started the Aviary post. I was going to start a kind of 'training diary', but I just didn't have the time. So, one year into it? I'm still liking it. The training was as good as I thought it was, even though it was my only experience in trucking at the time. Now, a year later, which is a baby step in the industry, I'm already seeing how good it was compared to what I hear and see daily. My driving is good, even by my standards. I've never had an at-fault accident in my life, nor any kind of tickets but a seat-belt warning when I was half my age. I had one accident my first year, where I bent a trailer rim and flattened that tire. That was my second month solo. And I got a warning ticket for by-passing a scale. It was out in Oklahoma I think. A place so small it didn't have EZPass, it's own entrance (shared with a gas station and a small truck repair shop) or even a flag to fly. It was a brown trailer in a desert. A trailer. Next to a gas station and a garage, sharing entrance and parking lot. Geeze. And I was stuck in the left lane beside a WalMart that slowed the same speed I did, just keeping his trailer at my tractor. This was before I learned that my air horn is often my best friend. So I slid past, and was doing 45, looking for a turnaround to go back. The lady cop still gave me a warning, even though I was 37k and didn't want me to even scale when she was done. She knew not to inspect me though, as it would have been a waste of her time, even she could tell. Seen accidents that still make my spine curl. Seen some amazingly stupid things done by cars and big rigs alike. Been cursed out for doing 45 in a 55 construction zone, and backed up, over the cb. Stab braked more than once to avoid many cars, a few pickemups, and even two big rigs I can clearly remember. One a Swift going from the lane on my left to the exit, clearing me and a car by less than half a trailer length, and making the exit by about the same. The other almost jack-knifed making a lane change, three of them, all at once to avoid slowed traffic ahead on the right lane of four lanes. If I hadn't braked right away, he'd have taken off my bumper. Another time I braked along side a truck that was being slowed by the car that had just done a lane change in front of him, and was currently being pushed along sideways by that very same truck, in the lane to my left, right next to me. I watched the back of that car go right past my door. Yeah, been a fun year! I'm already on a regional fleet around my home territory. I'm making enough money to support myself. If I had a family, it'd be harder. I'll never get rich working for Stevens, I don't think. But at least I know what I'm doing. And I'm getting to do what I've always wanted to do. And my truck is kept in top condition. And it's comfortable. And I can keep it clean without paying for it. I'd like to be making more per mile, but not if it meant being trained less or driving inferior/unkempt equipment. Though some of the dry van trailers on our fleet are really, ummm, not up to spec! Mechanically, most have been made good, but as for looks, almost embarrassing to pull. Wonder if anyone in Dallas has seen them? Anyway. One year! This time last year I was in Crosslands, probably going over the books and such for the day, and wondering what I'd be doing in a year. LOL I'm glad I chose Stevens. I almost can't believe it's been a year! Why didn't I think about that until tonight? I should have been thinking about it all week I would think!
Awesome post Smokr. Im going into week 3 of class myself. I cant wait to take the driving test on Tuesday. Hopefully a year from now I will be able to make a similar post.
Great Post Smokr. it sounds like you have seen a lot in the 1st year. Just think about how much you will see in the next 20 years. I'm glad you like the home route you have. I'm glad Stevens has worked out so well for you. It's nice to see a great post about Stevens and how much you like working for them. Keep rolling and keep it between the lines and always stay safe.
Smokr, That was great to hear about your experience. Always have to be a defensive driver at all times, car or truck. In the airline world, we call it Situational Awareness. I hope to thorougly enjoy my experience at Stevens. Also, anyone know why people call it Stevenson, when it clearly states STEVENS on the side of the truck?
It's not all been perfect. I've sat in the meat patch for resets and been stuck on I-40 in a blizzard overnight, gone without anything to eat but PB&J or bologna, did a month of the cali-texas produce shuttle/repower circuit, paid $300 for a damaged rim, got stuck with a dead battery on a reefer more than once, had late deliveries for trailer tires needing replaced, misjudged how long it took to get to a pickup or drop and been late, had to drive with the squirts, runny noses, body aches, sore foot and a headache from hello. Stevens could have asked a simple question before I got the school, but it was so simple I never thought of it. They didn't until graduation day, Christmas Eve, and wouldn't put me in a truck until I got the hospital to fax the records. And there wasn't anyone in the archives office until after the holidays. Luckily, later, one of the ladies was willing to go do it, since she used to work in that office and knew how to. More too. I still say the lease at Stevens is one of the most difficult there is. TLeaHeart and others prove it can be done, but you have to really want it, and not have a run of bad luck. Others can't hack the strict policies. Some don't want to put up with being stuck in a rut, or don't know how to handle working almost one-on-one with someone over the QC and phone. But I'm enjoying it, and others are too. And I think I made the right choice with Stevens.
Smokr I'm glad you stuck with it. You have shown how much hard work that it takes to make it even when the times are tough. So where are you at with your current load? Keep it between the lines and stay safe.
