Stress

I'm confused, you're in Las Vegas... isn't that what you're supposed to be teaching them?

 

Trucking is stressful and gets many new drivers. You ask an experienced driver and most will say it's not. That's because most learned and are good at dealing with stress. After so much, you build a wall up against certain things. That's one reason you can see one trucker putting another trucker down in this forum and it doesn't phase them. Just an observation, lol.
New truck drivers have troubles dealing with bad drivers, irrate customers, or problems with their dispatchers not getting home or pay issues. You learn with time things go better if you remain cool and act professional. Most jobs have some form of stress. You just adapt.

 

All of the children who you cannot control, and their parents that allow and form their behavior will be the same folks that you will have to share the road with, or they may be you dispatchers and shippers and recievers! And as a trucker, it will always be your fault.

 

Getting lost is always fun. I'm more prepared now, plus the added techology of a GPS and cell phone helps alot.

I remember back in my first year going to Weirton, WV to pickup a load late at night. I was dead tired and fighting to stay awake. Anyone that been to Weirton, you have one exit to get off to the industrial district. I been there a few times but this time I missed my exit. BIG MISTAKE! After that exit the highway turned into a small curvy two lane and off into the mountains you go. There was no where to turn around. No side roads. I was tired, nobody would answer the CB. That's a sick feeling. I went maybe 10 miles and finally there was a small church with about a 100" parking lot. No trucks allowed! Screw it, lol. Normally I respect them signs, but I was desperate. Evidently I wasn't the first or they wouldn't of had that sign in the boonies.

For some reason, I remember that incident over others. I guess because it was so traumatic.

 

Trip planning can really reduce your stress. And I mean really good trip planning, knowing what roads you are going to take and writing down your exit numbers somewhere visible so you can easily glance at them. Have an idea of where you need to be at what time. Know where you should be able to park for the night, know what your options are when you get delayed so you have a fall back and just aren't guessing. I'd say ask your dispatch team for help but I'm quickly learning not all companies are willing to help the drivers. Invest in a truck stop guide and an atlas for sure. GPS, Smartphones, Laptops, will all come in handy. Remember to take things with a grain of salt, like my advice I've never driven and for that matter I don't want to drive. I like going home every night.

 

You don't have all that much stress when you realize that you are the one driving the truck and nobody else !
The office flunkies can cry all they want they may even fire me but I will get the load there when and how I feel is the fastest safest and closest way!
Trucking jobs are a dime a dozen if you have a clean mvr no matter what some idiot put on your doc or what ever system these mega fleets use.
There allot more small freight companies than there are mega fleets.