Profile For BucketHead

Ok guys i said the other day I’d post about my first year otr with jb hunt. So grab your glasses and a beverage or two this might take a while.

To start with I started local getting my cdl employer helped with that. Gave them 10 months as a cdl a driver three years total. I had enough moved on out in 5 apps one here jb hunt was the first to call. My 33rd birthday was an eventful day. Quit one job at lunch had another by quitting time. But that’s another story. But I quickly found out that everything in the trucking industry is fast paced. When all this happened mind you I had never been in. Sleeper truck or used an eld only seen them through the window when I was unloading trucks and the lumberyard. Yes I started at the very bottom loading trucks pulling orders not that’s a bad thing. It helped me unknowingly learn about weight distribution. The tues after mother’s day I caught a bus for orientation three days lunch and breakfast provided I lucked up got a room to my self. Passed the hair and pee test took my road test and smith training. Skip to last day we split up by accounts intermodal dedicated and truckload or otr out of 20 to of us were truckload. I got to see the eld went over a few thing got a buss ride home. Before I had left the buss terminal my fm called and had me a truck in Atlanta I hit the road in a rental the next day. Found my truck moved in took the rental back had to get directions to get out of the major city of an airport. And came the culture shock and one million questions. Like a cab cost 40 bucks to go ten miles. Of my precious last 100 that had to last till my first check. Thank god for ramen and pb&j. I didn’t even know if I could idle the truck that nite but it was hot so I took a chance and did.

Got my first load a beer load grabbed an empty with a flat put it back then got sent down the road for one. Got to the shipper down there got checked in did my drop and hook scales out for the next for hours couldn’t remember the weights didn’t really have a understanding of it neither but the gentlemen on the inbound side helped me out and who I I thank every time I’m down there. Drove 100 miles and shutdown had to call my mentor help!!!! 400 miles seemed impossible. We went over trip planning the whole night. Luckily I made otd the day after. They took it easy on me for a bit lots of open windows on drops to help me in the grove of things that first week I probably quit 1000 times and was more lost and lonely then I ever thought possible. But this website here that your reading this on is what helped me along from questions advice and sometimes just knowing that I’m not the first to make that mistake nor will I be the last. Like all the nasty people on the cb or going into the out of the truckstop and instantly feeling like the biggest fool in the world. I’ve even went in the car side thank goodness it wasn’t a busy road that was a back out situation.

Little farther down the road 3 months almost I’m getting a good grasp of things my fm moved on I’m floating around between whoever till I get another I’m on a rest area reset boy are those hours of service tough on a new driver thought I had recaps boy was I wrong. Phone rings hey we have an offer they were running a program where all I had to Day was give up dention pay layover short haul and mileage bonus for a base pay of 900 gross and if I broke 2000 mile I’d get .55 cpm for all miles I started at .44cpm so I was all over that because at this point I had learned that 2000 wAs an easy number and now had a goal of no less if humanly possible. Only this program I’ll also get paid for home time as long as it was earned home time anything else they asked I used pto. That was supposed to end in December I’m still getting it guess I’m doing ok.

Got an fm with the program and started building a relationship ship with him great guy miss him now but the good ones move on I still will message him from time to time just to say hi. Still struggling along 6 months in my backing is way better when I was local I pulled a 48 ft flat bed tandems back with a lift I could put that thing anywhere add 5ft sides and tandems that are some different every load it was like starting over but with a good idea of how things worked. At this point I had also learned that on 77 through west va that there is a Mtn that the way the road is cut into it looks like your going down and not up I thought I had broke my truck I pulled over checked things out watched other trucks crawl by and tried again it was when I released my brakes that I noticed I was trying to roll back and it clicked. Felt dumb again this was probably more like weeks two out but I’m trying here so bear with me.

I also learned that there’s not a lot of parking there and to find a spot you need and early start I slept next to a ford dealership on a side street because Walmart said no overnight and I was down to minutes. I also felt that if I did violate a dot officer would come from under the bed with I ticket the second it happened. Wrong again but I did find out that when you do you will get a very stern talking to about the dangers and costs of it if you do it again. See part two for the rest.

Thanks everyone I haven’t been posting much but I’ve been following along. Love the new news thread also Brett. I’ll try and do like a year over view with my rookie struggles. And oh boy we’re there some struggles and hard lessons learned. And tons of wrong turns!!

Congratulations Buckethead!

Where / what are you doing for J.B. Hunt?

(Hoping to get back with them soon).

I was normal otr then they put me over on the feld account t finish out the season it’s an entertainment account Disney on ice Sesame Street live and more now I’m back otr till the fall when the season fires back up. I’ve also done kohls store delivery Walmart delivery. I let them send me where ever they need me if one of the dcs accounts are short drivers. And did some dray work around Atlanta. But I prefer to just be regular otr east 28 states east of i35 the store delivery’s drive me crazy in and out of the same place over and over no thanks.

Hey everyone been off a while but have been very busy. Surviving my first year otr. I say it like I did because that’s what it feels like I didn’t make it I survived. It was hard but it got easier as time went along. Still kicking with J.B. hunt and couldn’t be happier. I’ll keep it short for now but just wanted to say thanks to my tt family for helping me get this far. Still accident free and hope it stays that way. Y’all stay safe and I’ll try and pop in more often to say hi!!!

Marc lee I’ve only done otr I have done Kohls acct to help out right before Christmas out of Findlay OH. And I worked on the Walmart acct. out of woodland pa. I’m not to crazy about the dedicated stuff maybe if I could get home for resets but based out of eastern nc it’s hard enough to get a load within 200 miles from home for time off. Did deliver about 30 minutes from home once that was cool but hard at the same time because I still had a week before home time. The Kohls acct had a lot of double drops also. And the other driver that commented from Jb is right about the small company feel. I forgot his name and worried if I go back to look I’ll have to start this over. I’m called by my name treated very well and like to think I have a good relationships with people I’ve never met. As far as targets go I’ve only been in a few dc’s but they are very well marked and easy in and out one of my favorite places to drop. I p/u from Nfi a lot in IL think it’s edwardsville by the rail yard and the refinery might be Joliet can’t rember the town either way be careful in there dropping and hoolking it’s very tight. Well I look forward to following your training. And am curious how the target amazon acts. Work my wife says they should offer me a job with as much as I order. Anywho stay safe and best of luck. Oh and don’t forget drive like a champion!!

Thank guys if not for tt I’d probably still be on a lift loading truck and dreaming about driving them. And Marc lee no apologies needed that was funny and also if you have any questions if I can answer them I will. I wish you well and hope your experience is as great as mine has been if you don’t mind me asking where is your orientation?

Hey guys just checking checking in and letting everyone know how it’s going. And so far it’s great. I’ve been with Jb 7 months and just got my fourth truck. Sounds crazy but only one breakdown I haven’t been messing them up first was up for trade second broke down and after 4 days the said u can wait or repower and last night they sent me in for a detail for company event and said here just grab this one a new cascadia. Fm called me bout 20 minutes after said hope you like it you earned it. It’s got the auto trans it’s pretty cool but I reach for the shifter that’s not there. But things have been great. I went in with the starter company mindset because that’s what everyone was telling me there a good starter but Brett’s about that has proven to be correct why would I want to start over. Things are great here money miles and most important the relationships I’m developing when my fm and I chat on the phone we talk like friends or coworkers not boss and employee. He keeps me moving and I try and keep him busy by trying to get unloaded early or whatever I can. I don’t complain just take my load and carry on. And usually there’s a awesome load right behind it. I was late once I mismanaged my time that was a hard lesson learned not was i late on that Load but now I was late on the next three on one end or the other. Thank god I ran out of hours and was able to reset. I found out the hard way why everyone says don’t EVER BE LATE. And about communication we talked about it and so far all has been well. I’ve gotten a raise a new truck and now an invitation to hq for lunch and a tour. But I know I haven’t made a year yet but I don’t see myself going anywhere anytime soon. To me a year is just a milestone and a goal just to say I have made it. It’s been hard sometimes it’s like everything is against me and mostly it’s I can’t believe I’m getting paid for this. I’ve tried 3 dedicated accounts and it’s just not for me once was just to help out before Christmas. But I just can’t stand the same places same roads over and over it was making me crazy. I’ve almost hit 3000 miles twice it’s a personal goal. But other than that things are well backing is getting better and trip planning getting a lot better at first I was 100 miles past where I wanted or short now I have plans a-z. Things change at moments notice. I still stay out a month at a time and life on the road is becoming second nature and the coming and going is getting easier with the family. I think the biggest part about anyone considering a career is to stick it out it takes time to found out if this is for you. It’s going to be hard real hard but if your a go getter a hard worker and can keep a good attitude you will survive. And what ever you do don’t be late because if you out you’ll probably be late for your funeral it really throws a wrench in the mix. But 7 months in I’m having a blast and there are times I’m down and consider a different path but I get on here and get my self back on track. So for now I’m done rattling on y’all stay safe.

All this talk about protection me personally I sat if they want it they can have it it can be replaced. I’m going to try and keep it from happening but I don’t care about this truck and load as much as I do me. If I think my trailer is being broken into I’ll call 911 but I’m not gonna run out there to stop them. Now if there trying to get in cab all bets our off I will defend my life till my last breath. Even with wasp spray if need I do keep my thumper by the door straight razor in sleeper and my belt knife on my side. But I always say better to be tried by 12 then carried by 6. And sometimes I’ll carry my keys in my fist for a punching stabbing kind of way if the area I’m in makes me nervous. But I’m a always looking over my shoulder kind of person. I would like to open carry out here but company policy and varying state rules make it impossible. But also that cb mic could make a great weapon also think about that thing whacking someone.

Hey everyone just an update on the beginning of month four solo. Hope this finds everyone safe. As for me I’m in a hotel for my trucks in the shop. Or as I joke with my wife I’m getting a 60 dollar shower. I was due at this point a mud puddle would have done. But things are getting easier backing is getting easier along with trip planning not saying it’s easy all together nor am I saying I’m good at this because this was my first shower in four days. Some of it was pour plans and some of it is location still learning that I need to take the opportunity when I can because it may may be there in two hours and 100 miles two days ago I could have gotten fuel and a shower all in one but I said nah I’ll get one when I stop for the night. I ended up sleeping at bbq restaurant with truck parking but no showers thank god for baby wipes and gojo wipes. But other than that hiccup things are well I’ve been pushing hard I’ve gotten a raise a base pay no matter how little miles I turn as long as they see I not slacking off. And now I’m trying out this dedicated thing doing Walmart store delivery’s I told them I’d try it but I like the whole new state daily thing. It’s easier in my opinion and now I get a daily pay and not cpm with set appt times and always ample time to make and they give me a route but I’m worried I will get burnt out that’s what I hated about my local job was same place same roads same people all the time day in and day out but for now it’s a nice break. I’m still learning everyday and some days I still can’t believe I get paid to do this I meet new people everyday and see things I never thought were so breathtaking right here in this country. I’ve over cane so many fears. Like till I started trucking I’d never eaten in a restaurant alone before ever would get it to go and eat in the car. I’ve also learned that there are a lot of people out here that have nothing good to say about you or anything else. I’ve also learned to let it roll of my back. I also haven’t eaten a peanut butter and jelly sandwich since my first trip out. That was a hard month. And I’m also scared of meatloaf now thought I was gonna die safety almost called an ambulance and for the first time I slept with a door unlocked. Parts of the country have become regular places. I rely on my gps less and drive a lot memory and my atlas. I’m by no means an expert but things are getting better. And I have gotten my self in a situation using twice now using my gps because I listened to it instead of trusting my atlas you don’t realize how small the streets are in a subdivision till you have to make a right to get out and all the signs are on the corners. I made it out clean and no problem but it was a tense thirty minutes. Now I verify everything by my atlas and write everything down for quick reference like the name of the shipper or my fuel exit. I’ve established a great relationship with my new fm last one got promoted. And I communicate everything anything that may cause me to be late or if I have a question even if my preload turned into a live load. Or if I call in for a tire from road service I let them know and when it’s done. I also thank them for there help and what they do. Because there always thanking me for my hard work but what most don’t realize is that there working hard to watching you and possibly 40 other divers watching your logs your location planning your next load and I’m sure more then I know. I’ve learnt that you just don’t get in a truck and take this from a to b. I’ve also learned it’s ok to ask for help from other drivers some well say no others will be glad to help. I asked a fellow the other day he said no problem I don’t want you to hit me any more than you want to hit me. Everyday I’m one more closer to that one year mark and one more mile closer to that 1,000,000 mike safe goal I hope to make. But I think at least at this point I have finally made my dreams come true I’ve wanted to be a trucker since a childhood family friends have said you’ve wanted this since you were a little guy. And let me tell you if you want this it’s not a job at this point it’s a lifestyle. I dont work everyday I get up and have fun not everyday is great but boy do they out way the bad my wife says in 18 years I’ve never been so happy. But there are days I’m a bipolar maniac on the phone and her in return because there are a lot of things were both having to adjust to. Like weedeating had to get a smaller one for her because in a month the grass gets tall. But we find a way to make things work. And you will to you just gotta have a good attitude good support and don’t think anyone owes you anything you haven’t earned. As for me I’ll be here checking things off my bucket list and overcoming challenges I never thought I could do and learning everyday like how to back up who knew these trucks had reverse just kidding but backing can be a struggle take your time and GOAL they will get over it if you dont know who you will soon enough. But for now y’all stay safe and keep the rubber down. But most importantly rember to slow down and have fun. Or as my mama used to say before she went home last year you gotta remember to stop and smell the roses!!! See y’all next month

That’s a great article old school you know I tell everyone it’s all about the kids. We were talking about blowing the air horn and jake brakes in orientation and how it’s illegal in town and the restrictions and I said I’m sorry but I’ll blow the horn in church if a kid starts pumping that arm. Thank you all for your great advice and help along in this lifestyle it’s not a job or career but simply a lifestyle.