Profile For Jaybird

So chef... do you catch any hell for going out of route from Jill? And is it ok if you go out of route and the route you take has tolls? Thanks!

Well...one full month as a solo driver. Some of you may have read my previous post how I was otr for two weeks and decided that wasn't for me. This last week I drove on my new dedicated route and is a much better fit! I start on Monday mornings at about 0200 and get done on Fridays about 1300.

Also, I am so much more comfortable out there! My first two weeks I was a nervous wreck . My shifting has improved emensly. Because my shifting has improved so has all the other aspects of it. Like recognising my space needed to make turns and backing, also reading and understanding my navigation system has improved as well. Using and understanding my qualcomm is becoming second nature.

I am really starting to enjoy this new career. If your new and having trouble keep plugging away and don't quit! It gets easier! Thanks! Jaybird

Hey chef and unholy, this may be the wrong thread to do this but not sure how to do private messages. Couple questions about schneider. I been solo driving with them for three weeks.

was wondering if its ok to go my own way at times instead of following there nav? The other day they took me right through richmond va and near dc. I wanted to take 64 to 81 but it seemed way out of the way but my gut told me it would be a way better route. Sure enough I ended up sitting in traffic for about three hrs!!

Also if I take a different route and it has tolls how does that work? I know my ezzy pass will work but will they be upset with the tolls?

Thanks guys! Jaybird

Some of you may have read my post earlier about how i did two whole weeks of otr and was done. Well...my truck needed a pm and while i was there they talked to me about it. I told them my reasons why i wanted to switch and they were totally understanding! They went over some options of where i could get home on weekends. I was having trouble choosing so they said "We'll just put you on each one for a week and you can see which one fits best for you. I thought that was really cool of them. I know they don't want to lose me after investing all that time in me but they could have handled it like jerks and they didn't. I'll keep ya updated!

Also, when they say weekends, that means home on the weekend for a day and a half. Say home on fri night back out sunday afternoon. Be nice if they gave ya the whole weekend.

I'll keep ya updated bud, i have a feeling this may happen a lot. They probably have more people that just quit before trying anything else. They were more then happy to move me. In fact they went over several options, no local just different accounts that would get me home weekly. Hoping to go local after a year, just wanted to get experience first.

Thanks old school, it started to hit me when i was out with my trainer. He is a regional driver and has been doing it for 20 years and has a stay at home wife. I was asking him about the historic snow storm we had in march. He always leaves out on a mon afternoon and the storm was hitting that night. He said he left as usual and left his wife to deal with the storm. He was saying how he bought her a snowblower 20 years ago to deal with the snow lol. He said he talked to her while it was going on and she said she just couldnt keep up with it. He was idling at a truck stop for a day and a half while she was battling the storm. It broke my heart while he was tottally fine with it. He was 50 so im not sure how old his wife is. But hey...it works for them and there relationship so im not gonna knock it. For me i wanna be there for my women, not just financially but mentally physically and spiritually. Newbies think about, and do alot of research here. Like i said this is a good gig, your on your own doing your thing with no one breathing down your back. Like every job it has good and bad. This is definitely a job to be proud of!! And a skill!

Well its been two whole weeks and have decided otr ain't for me. Honestly I like the life style, living in the truck doing my thing.what I wasn't ready for is the guilt I feel leaving my wife to take care of everything around the house. Before I came home, she said to me " I didn't get a chance to cut the yard i just been to busy" it are me up. My wife is a teacher and works her ass off, then I'm gonna leave and ask her to do everything to run the house? I knew what otr was when I signed up but I guess it got real the first time I came home and she had a list for me and she seemed overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done around the house. Luckily I work for Schneider and they have np letting me go regional. I'll be home on weekends know to lend a hand around here. I wanted to come here and let everyone know where I was at. I am enjoying this new adventure otherwise!!

I also had to spend the night in Kearny, not the nicest place. But I was glad I had a place to park, only had 20 min left!

Got a 10 speed, was hoping for Auto :(