First Day Hits Hard

Emotionally, anyway. Today is my first day orientation at Prime Inc., everything went smoothly, got the intro to the company (and industry), did my paperwork, screenings, CBTs, overall a good start to the industry. The folks at Prime were very kind and accommodating, much more than I expect! My roommate arrived super late last night thanks to Greyhound fudging up his trip and lost his luggage! Clothes, toiletries, socks! And all necessary documents, gone. Luckily his meds were in his carry-on. Our Prime orientation staff stepped up and actually paid for whatever he needs to get through the week! Way to make a hell of a first impression, Prime Inc.

And then we head back to our hotel, and that’s when the weight of my decision came down on me. I’m not coming home to my family everyday, I won’t see my significant other as much, and most importantly, I won’t be able to play with my dog anymore. A sudden cold wave of despair washed over me as I curled under the blankets, lost in my own head.

“You’re not in Kansas anymore, Jay.”

I just needed to say something so I came here. Thanks for listening.

It’s a big step into the unknown. Keep your goals in sight, stay on course, and you’ll be okay. Everyone on here had a “first day” once.

I feel you. I started orientation 2 weeks ago today. Was a rough adjustment for sure good people though. I just stayed up late doing CBT'S to keep busy and my mind off of the reality. Hope all goes well for you keep at it they put you in trucks Friday. I really only remember Monday and Friday the rest was a blur.

C'mon in, Jay. Most of us have been down the road you have chosen.

A suggestion: put a training diary in the CDL Training Diaries forum. Share your thoughts there.

As for your shock wave today, that's true. It's a big industry, with big tools. I'm glad you have realized the enormity of your choice, and haven't backed down.

Many students get super frustrated with the backing maneuvers. In training I felt like quitting myself. Stick to it, and make every backing failure a learning experience. We'll be here for support.

We're glad you said something because we've all been there.

When people think about getting started in trucking, they always think about pre-trip inspections, shifting, and backing. We always try to let everyone know that the toughest part of trucking will be the lifestyle. It's exhausting. It's different from any life you've led before. It's stressful. It's lonely.

Prepare yourself for a lot of ups and downs. At times there's nothing to do but endure. Better times will come, often sooner than you expect.

Getting started is the hardest part. The next few months are going to be a roller coaster. See it through. The difficulties and the incredible experiences that only trucking can provide will make this journey one of the most rewarding of your life. The memories you'll have and the stories you'll tell will be priceless. You'll be so thankful you fought through the tough times. It's a job very few people are cut out for. When you can be one of the survivors, it's really special.

Jay, it can be a challenge to adapt to a new environment, so just hang in there. Sometimes people in the trucking industry get stereotyped as being hard nosed, tough people. But I've found that the vast majority are very helpful, courteous people who want you to succeed. Most will go to extra lengths to help you through a new or difficult situation.

Thank you all, it’s refreshing hearing from the veterans of the industry. I supposed first day jitters are common in any jobs, but obviously the jitters in trucking ain’t like nothing else I’ve ever been through before. My chronic depression definitely does not help, haha. But I will tough it out. I am excited for the sim lab tomorrow and can’t wait to, hopefully, step into a truck by the end of the week.

A suggestion: put a training diary in the CDL Training Diaries forum. Share your thoughts there.

I did not know this existed, looks very interesting and informative, will have to check it out!

Hang in there Jay!

The Emotional Roller Coaster Ride catches most of us by surprise. We've got our mind on so many things, and somehow we never realize there's going to be an emotional toll that comes along with this career also. I can't make your feelings change or go away, but I can assure you we all know what you're going through.

As you get better at this work, you'll also get better at dealing with the emotional part of it. Remember how we counsel everybody to stick it out for one year? This is just one of the many things that first year helps you to overcome. Perseverance has both a price and a reward.

Being ex-military, and having worked a great variety of different jobs, I can say that for up-rooting your life and changing your lifestyle, OTR trucking is second only to joining the armed services in my experience. Military experience definitely made things much easier for me than others I have seen going through the company-sponsored training , but from what I have seen, it always looks harder and more intimidating from the start than what it ends up being when you look back on it.

Stick with it and keep focused on the benefits. Be optimistic about how you can make this be an improvement to your life, and in a few months, the "enormity" won't seem like such a big deal.

Most importantly: have fun exploring new places and seeing new things!