Friends, I’ve learned a few things over the past couple years, and with the new kids asking similar questions recently, I’ll share what I’ve learned.
I started 3 years ago in your shoes.
I looked at the company sponsored schools, but they never set right with me.
I didn’t want to be leashed to anyone.
I got a grant through the American job center for vocational retraining that covered school in full.
I had to cover tests and license stuff, about 300 bucks.
I hired on with a tanker company hauling gas.
Smartest move i could have made!
Tanker pays more, I’m home every night, and i lucked out having a stellar terminal manager.
In truth, i looked at van, flatbed, and reefer, but none offered what this gig does.
Bumping docks felt boring to me, and i really didn’t want to be throwing straps and tarps in ungodly heat and cold.
Yeah, I’m lazy.
I really don’t want to work that hard anymore.
I see certain mindsets in the successful drivers, and common things with those that fail.
If you’re out solely for the money, you’ll fail horribly.
And tarnish your reputation in the process.
If you aren’t willing to give your best every day, you’ll reside at the bottom of the barrel when good stuff comes along.
The most successful drivers i see are those that show up every day, and give their best.
They run their loads, and go home.
They don’t whine about which loads they pull, where they go, or what they drive ( we slip seat) and they take pride in what they’re doing.
Dispatch gets that we all have days where certain things won’t work for us, and if we ask, they’ll work with us.
Need a longer or shorter run? They got that.
Want an extra load? If they have it, it’s yours.
Don’t feel you can run a load safely? Call them and discuss it. Maybe they can shift loads around to make it safer or easier.
I’ve only had a couple instances where my request was flat declined.
It needed to go right now and i was the only driver available to get it there in a timely fashion.
It’s rare, but it happens.
Point being this- if you help dispatch get the work done, they’ll be more willing to help you when you need it.
Make their life difficult, and you’ll make misery for yourself in the process.
Next point-develop yourself.
The more you know, the more value you bring to the table.
Once i felt proficient at gas, i trained on chemical and dry bulk.
And pump loads with gas.
Why?
Gas cycles each year, and there’s times the work is thin. Having the other modes in my pocket keeps me rolling making money while others are making minimum.
I do my best to grab extra loads when I’m able to, grab the weird stuff that’s difficult to pull off accurately and correctly, and I’m one of the go to drivers for the dumpster loads.
Those loads suck. They’re a pain to run, take forever, and really don’t pay well.
Why take them? Because on the back side, I’ll get gravy loads that are fast, pay awesome, and more than offset the dumpster loads. Usually I’ll get 2 gravy for each dumpster load, and I’m totally good with that.
Point being this- helping the team win gets you more wins too.
All the loads gotta go, and cherry picking won’t get you far. Dispatch ain’t dumb. They know what’s gravy and what’s trash. The top shelf gravy loads only go to the drivers that help with the trash loads.
Next thing- take care of your toys.
Your truck makes you money. Keep it clean, keep it in top shape. If it’s broke or not working right, get it fixed. Never cheat on maintenance. Top performing equipment pays you back hugely. It runs better, faster, and is a pleasure to work with. Broke stuff is a fight to get it to do what you need it to do.
That sucks your Jesus out of you.
Keep spare parts on board. Little things like light bulbs, fuses, glad hand gaskets, electrical tape, and baling wire can and will get you out of a pinch. I keep extra stuff in my pack for that reason. I’m also sure to swing by the shop to get it fixed properly ASAP.
I save time and money with the quick fix, and the shop saves time and money because they didn’t get called out to fix it.
Will they? Absolutely. I make their job easier because they don’t have to waste time and are able to handle things in the shop, where they have everything they need to do it right.
As you come into this business, understand that you’re the new kid on the block, and the world owes you nothing.
You have an opportunity in hand.
What you make of it, is totally up to you.
We experienced drivers will help you best we can, if we see that you’ll take our info and use it.
Yes, I’m still green in many ways, but I’ve also got some knowledge to pass along to help those with less time in the seat.
I want you to win.
I want you to thrive.
I want you to succeed hugely.
Now show me you want to as well.
Tips for new drivers
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TNSquire, Aug 23, 2023.
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rollin coal, Lav-25, OldeSkool and 11 others Thank this.
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I’m motivated now! No more clowning around acting all bat crazy. From now on, I’m going to get to my truck by 7:00 and get home at 3:00! No more 7:02 and 2:58.
Seriously, glad things are working out well for you. It seems you actually have some smarts about you and did your homework. All the best in your driving career driver!lual, SoulScream84, tscottme and 1 other person Thank this. -
SoulScream84, tscottme and Kyle G. Thank this.
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MACK E-6, iraqralph43, SoulScream84 and 2 others Thank this.
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Describe one of these “dumpster loads” if you would please.
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Difficult entrance and or exit, guaranteed water in their tanks, neglected infrastructure making safety an issue, difficult customer that wants to play 20 questions and talk your ears off ( i get paid by the load, not the hour) and that don’t pay Comparatively to the challenges of the load.
I started going minimal contact on a couple.
Pull in, stick tanks, drop product, verify drop with stick measurements, drop docs, roll out.
Cut 30 minutes off one, 15 off the other.
Ran them like they were closed.
In, out, safe, done…on to the next one.
In comparison, a gravy load is fast in and out, pays well, zero issues.
Did one yesterday.
Budget on it is 2 hours.
In and out in an hour 30.
Multiple tanks same flavor, 2 hose drop, ample real estate to operate safely, no fuss in and out.
22 minutes to drop 7700 gallons, paperwork, clean up, and be ready to roll out.
Customer is happy, I’m happy, all is well.Lav-25 Thanks this. -
Here's another tip for new drivers that I thought about the other day. You will help yourself out and look more professional IF you know exactly where you're at when driving. In case of a breakdown, you don't wanna talk to your dispatch or the service truck guy and say where am I? Oh I'm between xtown and xtown. Now interstates are easy with mile markers, but get on a state highway and they don't have that luxury, so if you just note your speedometer whenever you pass a certain point every so often, then IF you do have a breakdown, you can proudly say and help them get to you faster by saying, oh I'm x Miles East of hwy xx on the south bound shoulder of hwy xx. Take it for what it's worth.
Lav-25 Thanks this. -
Come in early, work hard, and give it your all so the company knows that they can abuse you
Works every timeLav-25 Thanks this. -
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tscottme Thanks this.
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