A Year In Review

This is going to be a longer post, but I kind of want to outline my journey in this obligatory year anniversary post. It all started at a truckstop in Springer, NM called Russell's Truck and Travel Center on i25 Exit 419. I was working there on and off from 2014 as a cashier. I must say I hated that job. I mean I met cool people and my boss/staff were awesome, but the job itself can be demeaning. I learned a lot about the world from this place and I am grateful for that.

Anyways near the end of the summer of 2015 after having a fairly rough year, I started to think, why not drive a truck? This lead me to Trucking Truth and truck drivers on youtube. I must say it is great that we have this information at our fingertips, but thankfully due to working at a truckstop I knew there was a lot of bs as well. Many drivers I asked about it told me I was better off making minimum wage as a cashier. I find that funny now, because if that were the truth they would have quit trucking and went to work at a truckstop.

This would lead to many more months of questions being asked, research being done, and many of hours of soul searching. I intially decided not to drive, but after a couple more months as a cashier I said enough was enough. Called up a recruiter at Swift and got everything under way. Had some difficulty initially getting my permit due to not having enough things to prove my residency, but after waiting for that I jumped on a bus headed to the Swift HQ in Phoenix, AZ to get my CDL.

Three weeks of intensive training would follow me. I think I talked about this before, but I almost quit right on the third day cause we were starting to learn how to shift and I was scared. Funny to think that considering the fastest we could go was 5 mph, but I was genuinely scared. I packed my bags and headed to the bus station, as I was on the taxi headed that way, I was talking to the driver and he said something that forever changed my life. He said, "Sometimes you have to take risks to get ahead in life." As soon as he said this I asked him to take me back to the academy, where I would pass all my tests on the first try.

As soon as I passed the academy I was bused back to my home terminal in Albuquerque, NM where I would eventually become an employee with Swift and get on the road with my trainer. I was a little nervous about living with someone that I didn't know in a small box for a month, but luckily I got a trainer that was awesome. This was probably one of the toughest parts of the journey, but it was definitely necessary. It is enough to get you started, but once you go solo, it will seem as if everything you learned, will be forgotten.

After the phase with my trainer, I went on to be a solo company driver. I remember really getting a backing practice in, on my 3rd day in San Diego. It literally took me an hr to get into this spot, I must be honest and say I cried afterwards, wondering what the hell I got myself into. Trucking is an emotional roller coaster and even after a year it may have gotten a bit easier, I still go through times of loving the job to times of hating everything about it, but one thing for sure is I do not regret anything about getting into this industry.

I am no longer dependent on my parents and almost debt free, all thanks to the opportunity presented to me by Swift. As of now I am a surge driver for the dedicated Walmart fleet in Los Lunas, NM and plan on doing it till they do not need me anymore or until they take me onto the fleet. As of now I am happy with the company and plan to stay with them for another year. If I do then basically my CDL is free.

All I can really say is thanks to Brett and others in this community for helping when times were tough, it is nice to share this with others so they can get a good view on how this job is. You get what you give and I am happy about my choices. Here is to another year!

Great reading this. Congratulations to you! It seems you made the right decision to stay.

Gladhand,... buddy this is fantastic!! Time flies when you are busting your butt!!!!

Get 'er done...

Congratulations. You really have come a long way. Wishing you continued success.

Great post, Gladhand! It's hard to believe it's already been a year for you! I have stopped at Russell's in Springer a lot of times, and since you've come on here, I've thought of you working there. One time I even felt a little bad because you were early in your solo career and having a tough time getting home. Glad it's working out well for you. I hope you get on the WM fleet permanently!

Thanks for sharing your progress. I've kept my eye on you since you joined. I don't always comment a lot but I do know who posts on here frequently and enjoy reading about other people's experiences. You've had a great success story, and continue to do so.

Forgot to mention that I've always appreciated your positive outlook.

Great post, Gladhand! It's hard to believe it's already been a year for you! I have stopped at Russell's in Springer a lot of times, and since you've come on here, I've thought of you working there. One time I even felt a little bad because you were early in your solo career and having a tough time getting home. Glad it's working out well for you. I hope you get on the WM fleet permanently!

I remember that, wouldn't doubt if we crossed paths in the past when I wasn't aware of this forum. Good luck on your new gig!

Thanks for sharing your progress. I've kept my eye on you since you joined. I don't always comment a lot but I do know who posts on here frequently and enjoy reading about other people's experiences. You've had a great success story, and continue to do so.

Forgot to mention that I've always appreciated your positive outlook.

Thanks 6 string. I found that when I am grateful life is a whole lot better. If I would have listened to those negative people I would still be in the same spot. I honestly never would have thought I would be a trucker, but here I am haha.

Thanks for sharing your experiences, Gladhand... you should be very proud of your successes, beginning with graduating from CDL school. Good for you for rising above the negative conversations you heard while working at the truck stop; that took a great deal of courage to face something head-on that had been presented to you in such a bad light on numerous occasions. My hat's off to you... wish you continued success and, drive safe!

Yeah, don't go back OTR. Stay with what you're doing and then stay dedicated. Get the big bucks and then pursue other opportunities as they come up further down the road. You've done good so far :)