Triletter Checks In

Sitting here in not so sunny California. Sorry I haven't up dated my travels in a while. I drop in occasionally to see what's up, but am usually pretty tired at the end of the day. Unlike Old School, I can't put together novellas when I am tired (can't even if I'm rested!) Melton has kept me moving and I really enjoy that. Had some good runs in the past month that I have been out. Laredo to a Toronto 'burb and then Toronto back to Laredo. First time to Canada and it wasn't as bad as some have made it out to be. Had 4 days to get the load I just dropped off here in California, but got it delivered in 3 running recap. DM was a happy camper, as are I. We will see where we go from here for the weekend.

I have managed to avoid the worst of the weather, but the cold seems to follow me. Couple of times I have wrestled with the frozen tarps and thought I was going to get pinned. Not always pretty, but if I can't fit them in the box, they get strapped to the deck and off we go. Getting pretty adept at staying in some remote places due to hour issues and not knowing where the next load assignment is going to be. The gravel pit was the quietest place, but rest areas seem to work nicely for me. I hit a truck stop every other day to make sure I don't run the clientel off.

It is coming up on 6 months with Melton and I think I am starting to get this securement and tarping thing down a bit. I still feel slow compared to most of the other drivers I encounter, but the loads are safe and usually look presentable going down the road. I have managed to get the fuel bonus every month that I have been eligible, too. I guess getting older means going slow is OK. Not sure about the one we are currently on given the cold, wind and lots of mountain driving my MPG is suffering.

Had a "rough" patch about 10 days ago. Had the trailer in the shop twice in the same day and then the same trailer had another issue 3 days later; lights, brake chamber and suspension air bag. Then I got slightly lost looking for a shipper , got a message from my DM wanting to know if I was rolling and then a traffic barrel appears in my lane (center) and I had no where to go but over it. Of course it hung up under the tractor. Got the flashers on and pulled over. Immediately called my DM to let her know the situation, who calmly said "Let me know when you have the situation resolved." and then proceeded to decapitate the already dead barrel to get it out. Finally get to the shipper and call my DM and describe what happened. I guess I sounded a bit frustrated because she told me "Things will get better, don't quit on me." Huh?! I told her I'm not a quitter and that this is just a part of trucking. Going to take a lot more than that to get rid of me.

I just love all of the different places I get to go, the product I get to haul and the sights I get to see. Sure, I miss the family, but this trucking thing has already gotten its teeth into me and I am REALLY enjoying my time out here on the road. Skate boards forever!

Hey Larry, have you had the pleasure of EMJ yet? in schaumberg IL

this trucking thing has already gotten its teeth into me and I am REALLY enjoying my time out here on the road. Skate boards forever!

That's awesome man! If you still want to pull a flatbed by the end of January then you're definitely cut out for it. That's awesome to hear!

It is coming up on 6 months with Melton and I think I am starting to get this securement and tarping thing down a bit.

For anyone coming into trucking, pay attention to that right there. Coming up on 6 months and he just feels like he's getting the hang of securing and tarping freight. That tells you right there just how complicated even one small part of the job can be. And that's nothing. It can take a few years to get really good at things like trip planning or knowing how the DOT operates in different states.

I've said numerous times that I felt like I really hit my stride overall as a driver somewhere around the 3-5 year mark. That's where I had experienced enough of the job, the industry, and life on the road that I had become rather savvy and street-smart when it came to getting the job done out there. I learned a ton of in's and out's that only years on the road can teach you.

So for anyone coming into the industry that figures they'll give it a few weeks or a couple of months to see what it's like, you're underestimating how long it's going to take to understand and excel at even the simplest aspects of the job. That's one of the big reasons we say to stick with your first company for a year no matter what. Not only do you want to stay there long enough to establish a good reputation as a driver and a good relationship with dispatch, but you have to give yourself time to learn the ropes. Early in your first year you don't know enough about the job or the industry to know if you're with a company that suits you well or not. You may not know enough to decide if you're even going to like trucking or not.

You have to give it time. I say at least one full year. Then you'll know how your company and the industry operates a lot better and you can make a more informed decision about the company you work for and whether or not you want to stick with trucking for that matter.

Thanks for the update Larry!! Glad things are going well for ya!!!

Hey Larry, glad to see you're still enjoying it.

I just love all of the different places I get to go, the product I get to haul and the sights I get to see.

I feel the same way - one of the unique things about hauling flat-bed freight is the variety it entails. We deal more with industry and manufacturers, and I've been surprised by the length of some of the runs I get handed to me.

Thanks for checking in with us, I always enjoy hearing how the other drivers are doing, but I especially enjoy hearing from the new flat-bed drivers. Oh, and by the way, this post was a pretty nice little novella!

Hey Larry, have you had the pleasure of EMJ yet? in schaumberg IL

Highway, haven't been there yet. Of course, there are a LOT of places I haven't been yet. Sitting just north of Bakersfield waiting for a load. Running recap and my hours today are limited. Get a chunk back tomorrow, then not so much the next day. That may limit my options for the weekend.

That's awesome man! If you still want to pull a flatbed by the end of January then you're definitely cut out for it. That's awesome to hear!

Brett, I've been fairly lucky in that I have been chasing the really nasty weather. Mostly it has just been really cold and windy. Wrestling tarps isn't fun in the wind, but it keeps you warm! Fingers get really cold when working with the bungies even with insulated gloves. I now have a system where I do one side, climb back in the truck and place each glove over the bunk heater exhaust for 15-30 sec and get another side of the truck. I let my hands go too far on one delivery and had really painful fingers for an hour or so. Learned from that! After a short taste of dry van , I don't think I could handle that or refers. I wouldn't mind giving a shot at tankers, but my wife drew the line at that one - hazmat issues for her not me. Maybe hauling milk part time in Michigan a couple of years down the line?

Oh, and by the way, this post was a pretty nice little novella!

You're right Old School. However, I would point out that I do this pretty infrequently. I have always been a bit invious of those who can write volumes on a regular basis. Keep up the great advice for the newbies and wantabies!

Larry, I can only write volumes because I'm only 22. Still have the energy of a monkey...

Good to hear the trials and tribulations of another skateboarder.....and I still miss it..... Larry, i'm glad you are lovin' what your doin'..... stay safe......

Brett: Interesting you say about a newby Bobtail staying with same company(of which I agree) However there are so many unscrupulous companies that ruin good relations for other companies. A running % of retention of employees would be outstanding, then all could do the research. Also, it is only human nature to see another outfit that advertises yet again the moon with 6 month experience.Like so many industries much is not what it is advertised of cracked up to be. Great forum, Dan k