Ugh, 3's The Charm? Worst Day Yet...

So today was my third day running solo. It would suffice to say it was a complete nightmare but I need the therapy so details will follow in my ***** n' whine section below. It was enough to make me seriously consider packing up my stuff, drop my empty at a local yard and bobtail back to hq to turn in my tractor and head home. 1 - I missed my original appt and was late for my next. Took almost an hour to find someone at the receivers who knew what was going on. Was told to back up to dock. I tried all sorts of angles, pull ups and even threw in a few alley docks... choked and puked for 20 mins before a guy came up and told me how to do it. Guess they were enjoying making fun of the dumbass who can't backup a truck. Got emptied to realize the rest of my load is miissing - I had a small 90 after this delivery but never thought that I wasn't given the paperwork. Figired I was fired at that point so called in and was basically told I was an idiot, which I agree with. 2 - Got thru that and was sent my next load. Reviewed that and had 2.5 hrs to find a spot to shutdown. The shippers only 190 miles and my appt isn't until 10pm tomorrow. Cool. Missed a quick left after an exit and ended up getting myself routed through a small, congested town with skinny roads and tight intersections with no where to turn around. Nightmare. A box truck zipped by and hit my drivers side mirror slamming it up at a useless angle. I squirreled my way through the streets rubbing overhanging tree limbs and house drops to get turned around and more than once had to have vehicles backup so I could make a turn. Can't believe I didn't hit anything or damage things. Thats about the only thing that went right. Wasted 1.5 hrs getting out of there and back on route - and probably aged a few years in the process. 3 - Had to drive 80 miles to the nearest safe haven making me go over my driving time giving me an HOS violation. Can't wait to hear what dispatch has to say about THAT after my bonehead move earlier.

I don't know if I can handle more of these kinds of days. I know I'm not very good at this so I think I need to re-evaluate at this point. Don't worry though, I'd never just leave my truck on the side of the road, no matter what. Good luck and stay safe!

So today was my third day running solo. It would suffice to say it was a complete nightmare but I need the therapy so details will follow in my ***** n' whine section below. It was enough to make me seriously consider packing up my stuff, drop my empty at a local yard and bobtail back to hq to turn in my tractor and head home. 1 - I missed my original appt and was late for my next. Took almost an hour to find someone at the receivers who knew what was going on. Was told to back up to dock. I tried all sorts of angles, pull ups and even threw in a few alley docks... choked and puked for 20 mins before a guy came up and told me how to do it. Guess they were enjoying making fun of the dumbass who can't backup a truck. Got emptied to realize the rest of my load is miissing - I had a small 90 after this delivery but never thought that I wasn't given the paperwork. Figired I was fired at that point so called in and was basically told I was an idiot, which I agree with. 2 - Got thru that and was sent my next load. Reviewed that and had 2.5 hrs to find a spot to shutdown. The shippers only 190 miles and my appt isn't until 10pm tomorrow. Cool. Missed a quick left after an exit and ended up getting myself routed through a small, congested town with skinny roads and tight intersections with no where to turn around. Nightmare. A box truck zipped by and hit my drivers side mirror slamming it up at a useless angle. I squirreled my way through the streets rubbing overhanging tree limbs and house drops to get turned around and more than once had to have vehicles backup so I could make a turn. Can't believe I didn't hit anything or damage things. Thats about the only thing that went right. Wasted 1.5 hrs getting out of there and back on route - and probably aged a few years in the process. 3 - Had to drive 80 miles to the nearest safe haven making me go over my driving time giving me an HOS violation. Can't wait to hear what dispatch has to say about THAT after my bonehead move earlier.

I don't know if I can handle more of these kinds of days. I know I'm not very good at this so I think I need to re-evaluate at this point. Don't worry though, I'd never just leave my truck on the side of the road, no matter what. Good luck and stay safe!

Sounds like my 3rd day. Backing into a spot a crest beverage. Started with me getting stuck in the corner, then after some wiggling getting out, which lead to me to back but I couldn't do it right because my 45 maneuver wouldn't work. So then another Swifty comes to help me, I decide to do blindside because she is spotting for me. Almost have it and pull out! She is like you had it! This lead to her showing me how to back up in a tight situation.. IT TOOK ME 1.5 HRS! I literally cried in my sleeper afterwards. It will get better buddy. I am on my 23rd day and been having hell, but you will survive!

Yesterday I drive through mountain roads that a truck is not suppose to be on after taking a wrong turn. Van a almost rammed into my trailer because the roads were too tight to stay in my lane. Not trying to make you feel bad, but you will have more days like this. We must learn from them and hell we didn't hit anything right?

As time goes on you will get better at backing. I already find myself backing into places with ease that I would have had a problem with when I first started. Part of learning is looking stupid haha. I have learned that most the other drivers out here will laugh and then they will help you. Just take your time and don't hit anything.

Matt, you're awwrite! Third day solo and you came out alive? Doing good there, bro!

Serious. In school you learn jus enuff to drive around the block for the examiner. Then your company training trip gets you where you might not hit anything, then you're on your own! Ta-dah!

This wasn't clear in your post, but if you have 2.5 hours after you're done, head for your next stop, without getting lost, and plan to do your starting PTI just before you head to the shipper , then plan to arrive half an hour before your appointment. Basically, use what drive time you have left on "today" so you'll have that much more tomorrow.

Looking for someone: in a few days you'll be able to pull into any warehouse in America and find the shipping office within 15 minutes, an hour tops!

I'm being light hearted here, but you are doing OK. Here's my first week diary: My First Week Adventure As A Swift Driver.