Do You Have The Right Temperament For This Job?

Rainy you don't need my help to make a fool out of yourself. Just kidding hahaha.

No I wish it were something like that, but it's just that I get super tired and worn out after 3 or 4 days of driving 500-600 miles each day with only 10 hours off in between. They run me really really well on this account without me ever having to say a word to dispatch or the planners. So well, in fact, that I have to ask for a day off sometimes just to catch up on sleep. I feel like my job has changed from lobbying for miles to lobbying for sleep haha

So expand your horizons. Look at LTL :)

If you already like to back, then the excuses for staying OTR for a year are moot.

I drove 275 miles today, worked 10 hours of which 2 were overtime at time and a half (any over 8 in a day are overtime) and I'm home snug in my bed for a 3-day weekend.

Never did OTR and have no desire to ever do OTR. Especially after reading the trials and tribulations here. :)

The big argument against against local is the variety. True. I worry about that every day. But I've reached my one year mark and so far the worst I've had is driving down into DC one day.

I understand sticking out OTR for one year to fulfill a contract. But if it's not for you then look elsewhere.

Are you a linehaul or P&D driver?

I do P&D. Started out working the dock and getting kicked-out doing linehaul but now just doing local. I'm nudging up against $50K for my first year plus paid vacation and sick time. You get that regardless if you're P&D or linehaul. For employee only my healthcare cost runs me about $21a week. That includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance.

Being so new if I were straight linehaul I'd get paid $.50 mile plus .5hr for drop and hook , .25hr for refuel. In my area, FedEx starts at $20hr, rising a dollar a year to $25 for the first five years. In CA there is no mileage pay. All hourly.

For me, being home everyday is worth thousands of dollars. If I wanted to save mucho dinero then I'd probably screw the rent and do OTR for a few years.

But linehaul is the easiest job in FedEx and gets paid more. You're home everyday regardless if you're P&D or linehaul

Rainy you don't need my help to make a fool out of yourself. Just kidding hahaha.

No I wish it were something like that, but it's just that I get super tired and worn out after 3 or 4 days of driving 500-600 miles each day with only 10 hours off in between. They run me really really well on this account without me ever having to say a word to dispatch or the planners. So well, in fact, that I have to ask for a day off sometimes just to catch up on sleep. I feel like my job has changed from lobbying for miles to lobbying for sleep haha

So expand your horizons. Look at LTL :)

If you already like to back, then the excuses for staying OTR for a year are moot.

I drove 275 miles today, worked 10 hours of which 2 were overtime at time and a half (any over 8 in a day are overtime) and I'm home snug in my bed for a 3-day weekend.

Never did OTR and have no desire to ever do OTR. Especially after reading the trials and tribulations here. :)

The big argument against against local is the variety. True. I worry about that every day. But I've reached my one year mark and so far the worst I've had is driving down into DC one day.

I understand sticking out OTR for one year to fulfill a contract. But if it's not for you then look elsewhere.

Are you a linehaul or P&D driver?

I do P&D. Started out working the dock and getting kicked-out doing linehaul but now just doing local. I'm nudging up against $50K for my first year plus paid vacation and sick time. You get that regardless if you're P&D or linehaul. For employee only my healthcare cost runs me about $21a week. That includes medical, dental, vision and life insurance.

Being so new if I were straight linehaul I'd get paid $.50 mile plus .5hr for drop and hook , .25hr for refuel. In my area, FedEx starts at $20hr, rising a dollar a year to $25 for the first five years. In CA there is no mileage pay. All hourly.

For me, being home everyday is worth thousands of dollars. If I wanted to save mucho dinero then I'd probably screw the rent and do OTR for a few years.

But linehaul is the easiest job in FedEx and gets paid more. You're home everyday regardless if you're P&D or linehaul

Oh, and let me not forget the most important part; you get weekends off plus paid holidays off. If you care to work a little more you can volunteer for Saturday loads.

Sorry G Town for hijacking your thread. I suck!

We're good. No worries.

When you're a top tier driver in this industry you know what it takes to operate at the highest levels so you can tell what's going to happen within two minutes of meeting another driver, whether they have experience or not. You can tell whether they get it or not. You can tell if they have the right approach, the right attitude, and the right level of ambition almost immediately.

Only in person? Or can you tell by the vigor (or lack thereof) on this forum?

What I'm getting at is... what about me, yo?? Do I "get it", from what you all have seen?

Misty asks:

Only in person? Or can you tell by the vigor (or lack thereof) on this forum?

What I'm getting at is... what about me, yo?? Do I "get it", from what you all have seen?

I have read all your posts Misty. Although you have a ways to go, so far it seems like you are headed in the right direction and seem serious about learning.

You read the thread and lots of other stuff on here, what do you think?

You read the thread and lots of other stuff on here, what do you think?

It's mine for the taking. And I'm ready to take...

Honestly, the test is the road. Training can be grueling. Life on the road is not what people expect. Lack of sleep, scheduling showers, restrooms and food, meeting what seems like impossible deadlines can be aggravating. Add lack of skills for the truck handling, lack of knowledge for roads and parking areas, and the stress of never getting it right...boy it can drive a perfectionist insane.

You wont be perfect, ever. You will over years become more confident and knowlegable.

Some peope think having a CDL makes you special and in demand. NOPE. Having a CDL with an awesome safety and on time delivery record makes yoi special Not for just 2 or 4 months, but years. Fleet Managers watch you closely. Mine even knows i'm going to park 30 mins after I slow to 45 mph due to high winds. I didn't even know that.

Once you get to the point where you ask your FM "What bad habits do I have that you don't want me teaching a student" and his response is "Nothing. You are great!" Then you know you have arrived.

Rainy wrote:

Honestly, the test is the road. Training can be grueling. Life on the road is not what people expect. Lack of sleep, scheduling showers, restrooms and food, meeting what seems like impossible deadlines can be aggravating. Add lack of skills for the truck handling, lack of knowledge for roads and parking areas, and the stress of never getting it right...boy it can drive a perfectionist insane

Misty,... Rainy paints a complete picture in her reply. I must however emphasize that each step of the way; permit, school, CDL and road training each come with their unique and at times daunting challenges. Each new step serially builds upon the foundation from previous achievements, successes and often mistakes.

The correct attitude, focus and commitment is required from beginning to first seat status. One step at a time...don't look too far past the immediate challenge, otherwise it's easy to become overwhelmed.

I do think you have the initial commitment, motivation and positive attitude to progress. However like Rainy said, and I do agree the final test, when you are on your own is the one that counts the most and is lasting.

One step at a time.

Thanks, you guys. I know I'll make it. I'm way too into this not to. I am nearly obsessed. I'm constantly reading the High Road CDL Training Program and the forum. I'm taking practice tests from multiple sources. I'm going to make it work, dang it.

Misty, in the last two posts (Rainy and G-Town) you have received probably the best "new-trucker" advice in a few paragraphs I have seen in the 4 1/2 years I have been active on this forum. Bookmark this page so you can come back to it.

You have just had a traumatic experience in your start for truck driving, and I believe you can get through the whole thing (the experience and your training). I'll add my catch phrase:

Don't let life happen to you.