Profile For RoadKat

First off, wow thank you to everyone who's taken the time to reply!

It is a larger LTL company, I don't want to be more specific as I've been told they take their "social media" policy seriously and not trying to find out the hard way. Especially since my concerns are things that are in regards to their equipment etc being questionable/definitely illegal. Now I know rookies are labeled as being more 'gung ho', a lot of which I feel is just figuring out our own process etc.

Trucking regulations are designed for safety of the general public, the driver and the rig.

100% and this is where I personally feel obligated to put my foot down.. If there is something that I know is possible of becoming a risk I can't in good conscience run that equipment. I know some drivers run it if it rolls. It feels like there is a big culture of "we don't usually get pulled into scales".

We also run hazmat, and it's a mess. Things incorrectly placarded, questionable paperwork etc.

I absolutely agree on the close quarters, it is not a training we offer but I've been doing as much of my own education and then applying it. Plus a lot of GOAL of course.

As for being fit for duty, I'm legally off for my ten. But we also are "on call" essentially so we get called with our time to come in; while on our 10. My sleep definitely gets broken because of this.. as I know others does. Plus the time traveling back and forth every day. Most days we get exactly or not much more than our 10 off, which starts dwindling quickly when that includes even a short commute. I usually spend my 10 getting as much sleep as I can, trying to eat well get a shower etc. I've always had a pretty flexible circadian rhythm, and I can usually get myself to sleep where I need to. We run day cabs/home nightly, so sleeping while we are out isn't exactly an option. But I also think some of it is creeping into the territory Kearsey mentioned, in yard move but maybe I need to look deeper at it.

And trip planning and time management is something I feel I've gotten better at, until every once in awhile I get a reminder. It's something I'm actively trying to work on/open to advice on, as I feel like it's as much of a habit and mindset as it is a practice. It's something I don't really feel time is allotted for, so I find myself trying to utilize either my own time or multi tasking it. Some of our routes are very tight time wise, to the point too much 'dilly dallying' will result in you getting stuck(running out of clock).

And Davy, honestly I really appreciate this response, especially hearing your own experience. I'm definitely an 'over analyzer' myself, I just try to channel it to good things (trip planning!) vs tearing into myself.

Self honesty in assessing your abilities and skills goes a long way. It doesnt mean that you are not capable of driving successfully, just that you have to work a bit harder and use tools to help yourself in areas that are tough for you.

I feel like this summed up what I needed to hear/ have confirmed.

My suggestion... put it in writing.

I've started utilizing this a lot more (should have been already). Especially in situations I've pulled over to rest, or for safety reasons. I've gotten a 'talking to' for pulling over due to weather. They have a habit of sending drivers out in weather most companies shut down in/NOAA is advising no travel. They threaten drivers with points and write ups for not running.

We have a very strict “Captain of your ship” / Stop work authority culture.

Safety above all else.

This is what I would really rather have..

I really am trying to have accountability, do my best to listen/learn and communicate as needed. I know rookie blues/struggles are a thing so I'm trying to take an honest look and separate those from other things as needed. Again thank you so much to all who have replied and anyone who's read all of this also =)

Hello, I need some advice (and maybe some tough love). This is a bit long, I tried to break it up the best I could.

I've had a lot of issues at my current company. I'm a rookie so I've been doing my best to grin, bare it and ride it out so I can get at least a year under my belt.. It's really been coming to a head recently to the point I've been concerned for a lot of reasons, relating to safety as well as legality. So I've been really debating leaving which isn't ideal but probably needed. Anyway..

The advice portion; Part of my concern is the lack of rest time I am getting. I know the dangers of this which is why I have fought so hard on this. Even more I have noticed myself making mistakes I normally don't. Unfortunately 2 of those mistakes were me hitting something. (Minor damage in both incidents, both in our yard). These are still 100% on me, and unfortunately probably is going to cost my job.

I've mainly been looking at training companies anyway. But I guess the advice I'm seeking is what companies (if any) not only are training/second chance but that I'm not going to be put back into a constant fight about running when I am not fit for duty. My training was with my current company.

I know it's our responsibility to know if we are not fit for duty, but I also don't feel like it should be such a fight with a company if this is disclosed. Or if there is a valid safety concern with equipment etc.

I love trucking so much already, but not enough to feel I am risking putting myself or others in danger. If I'm just done/doomed then so be it. I've filled out the training applications with fingers crossed and my head bowed.. but are these things something to expect most everywhere?

There is not a reason in the world you can't figure out how to accomplish your goals by trucking. You just got off to a bad start. You first thought you had a bad company, now you think you got a bad job. Start afresh with a regular OTR job, and take to heart the things you have got to change so that you can succeed at this. I know you can do it, and I hope we get to hear your success story some day soon.

Not OP but I really needed to read this today. I love trucking, but man sometimes it really kicks your butt and it's hard to remember it doesn't suck forever. Thanks for the reminder Old School =)