The First Week Of My Third Month Solo

Hi guys hope everyone is staying safe. I’m back on the road. Thought I’d give everyone a little update while I cook my dinner. So I’m bumping along happy as a pig in mud to finally be solo otr. And it finally sunk in that trucking is not what I had pictured it to be. Not saying I’m not happy because I am. I think I watched Smokey and the bandit and Convoy one too many times growing up. It’s just I can’t believe how we as drivers treat one another I wanted to throw my CB out the window to all I was doing was passing along info me and to other trucks had stopped in the road for something up there some one was messing up merging I dunno but we had to stop fast.

I called out on the CB hoping to not get rear ended I was told to shut up stupid. I was bad and stopped to his level and put in my two cents. And I promise this did not help the situation. You can call me what you want but stupid I don’t take lightly. So I pulled in the next rest area calmed down turned the cb OFF AND MOVED ON. But I just can’t get over how we treat each other out here I always try and help when I can even if is backing off to let a truck that’s 1mph faster get on by. Or just holding the door at the truck stop for they guy behind me.

I even gave a driver one of my showers because he was out of shower credits I had extra. I guess I just thought there would be a little more of a brotherhood out here or sisterhood out her but it’s not. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had folks see me struggle to park and they have came from as far as ten spots away to help while the guy I was parking next to just watched ready to blow the horn and wake the neighbors. And you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll jump out and help someone backing up. But I guess all I’m trying to say is we’re all going somewhere and have the same clock we need to help each other. Anyhow, life on the road has been good hard but good.

I’ve seen a ton and I love the challenge. I also learned that if your freight manager finds out your scared of something your going to get used to it quick. My first time in Chicago I was lost low bridges everywhere and the week before my fleet had 3 topped trailers and 2 roll overs in there. So I was on high alert extra careful plus I’m from a two stoplight town haven’t seen many big cities. Just passed through Atlanta couple times. Called in for directions got what I needed and he said can I help you with anything else? Me and my big mouth said no sir just get me out of here I’m scared to death of this place.

I spent the next three weeks in and out of Chicago. It could have been that it was just the way freight was moving. But I also feel that if I’d just shut up I may not have seen so much of the Windy City. It doesn’t bother me as bad now but I still don’t let my guard down it’s a tough drive at least for this rookie.

But all in all I couldn’t be happier got a new fm last one changed positions got a raise so I’m not complaining. I’m still having the time of my life. Meeting new people I like to talk to the rest area workers there great. I always thank them for what they do. And sometimes you get a cool story in return. And guys and girls let’s remember to be safe and respectful we’re all we have out here. Let’s help each other. And thanks again everyone for helping me keep my head on straight and the great advice and information.

I absolutely love my CB for those times when another driver calls out some critical information about road conditions up ahead. I keep my squelch turned off, rf gain up, and work my volume to listen through the background noise for distant radio comms. I've been able to avoid serious traffic backup's many times due to what I heard.

I hate the CB all the other times. So many driver's who have nothing better to do than curse others out or criticize their driving.

It's a shame that such a helpful tool gets primarily used for obnoxious comments...

BucketHead, What a great post. You are straight forward, direct and level headed in your response to all bad situations that have come your way. Just be sure to note that all days are not that bad. Sometimes we get into situations that make us think that we need to pull the plug but then everything goes so smoothly we don't believe it. The CB is a great tool and you can control it with the on-off switch. Always remember the "brotherhood" and offer any help to fellow drivers if you feel it is necessary but know that some will reject your help so just accept that. I always hated having to deliver in the 5 boroughs of NY, let dispatch know it and seemed to get more than normal so I stopped complaining about it and they became almost non-existant. You have a great attitude and approach to your well being and you will go far in this industry. Good luck and keep writing your experiences here.

Thanks guys and I love my cb at night it’s quieter and mostly useful info. I try and keep my cool out here I was always taught you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. So I try and stay easy going and just let things roll of and yesterday was just one of those down days. But the good has far out weighs the bad. We’re all gonna have bad days no matter what we do.

But looking back it wasn’t really so bad I got to see the space shuttle at the rest area well drive by I got to deliver 3 hours early and was able to pickup early boogie back to Illinois deliver early again and pick up and almost nock this load out early but I had to shower.

It luckily was just really a bad half day missing my kids but got on the phone and got over it. And if all goes well I may have close to another 3000 mil week. I haven’t broke it yet but it’s one of my monthly goals. My best was 2979. But like trucking truth has taught me is trucking is performance based they harder I work the more we all make. Thank you all for your help it’s nice have somewhere to go where we can all relate in on way or another and if nothing else’s pick each other up and dust our selfs off.

My buddy was regional and he just turned in his keys and took his local job back where we worked together so y’all are filling that gap for me. We never bumped into each other on the road he was always going where I was leaving or vice versa. And even with that I felt like I had someone out here with me. Then I remembered I had my TT FAMILY.

I can’t say it enough thanks again for all your help and kind words everyone. And as always stay safe. And if I ever bump in to one of you guys the next cup of joe is on me. One at a time though I have kids there expensive lol nite guys!!

That was a great update Buckethead. Glad to hear things are rolling along for ya out there. There are always a lot of tough lessons those first few months. As time goes on you'll learn so much about what it takes to be efficient out there. There's so much to know it's incredible.

Then I remembered I had my TT FAMILY.

You sure do! We hope you'll stick around and keep bringing us updates. Even at this early stage of your career the experiences and feelings you share are such a huge help to those considering this industry or getting ready to start their career. As you know, new drivers need all of the help they can get!

BucketHead, I'm in agreement with Brett - that's a great update.

Here's a couple of observations on some things you said.

it finally sunk in that trucking is not what I had pictured it to be. Not saying I’m not happy because I am. I think I watched Smokey and the bandit and Convoy one too many times growing up.

I think this hits a lot of new drivers in the gut at some point. Hollywood gave many of us some false impressions about the trucking career. You can make sure it is a rewarding career, but you'll need to rely on your approach to it. I love this career! The lifestyle has a unique freedom to it that appeals to me. It's a foreign concept to me when I see the whiners and complainers on the internet saying they feel imprisoned in their truck. They miss out on all the great benefits of this lifestyle simply because they've approached this whole thing as a regular job, but it's not like that at all. It can be a crazy lifestyle, but when you embrace it for it's liberties, you find the rewards far outweigh the issues associated with it.

As for the C.B. - I understand what you're saying. You just have to ignore the radio Rambos, they're just part of the culture shock that surprises newbies. One thing rookie drivers may not realize is how obvious it is to other drivers that they're rookies when they key up that microphone. Sometimes that will just trigger the "nut cases" to pipe in with something derogatory. Don't let it bother you.

Check out this old conversation where I enjoyed A Nice Little Conversation On The Radio. It might just help you feel some of those nostalgic trucking ideas you're missing out on.

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.