Back Home After First Seven Days Out As A Solo Driver!

Hi Everybody,

Just made it back to Austin yesterday afternoon for a reset after my first seven days out as a solo driver. I did not hit anything (oh, ok, maybe a curb or two, lol) and nobody got hurt, so I'm thinking it was a good run! I covered about 2200 paid miles (yeah, I took the "scenic route" a couple of times after missing a turn or exit - it's no easy task to turn a big rig around in Houston traffic, so I did not even try it!).

Overall, it was a great learning experience. I am still weak on backing, but lots of helpful people came to my assistance and got me through it. There was really only one place that ate my lunch. It was a live unload, thankfully late at night, in Memphis, but no one to help me out. It took me 30 minutes to bump the dock. The hole was between a trailer on its landing gear and a big compactor type dumpster. There was a reasonable amount of room, but it did a number on me. Later, the Shipping Mgr. commented that it was painful to watch my attempts and that if it had been during the day when things were really hopping, something else would have had to be done (he didn't say what!). When I told him that this was only my third load as a solo driver, he was very sympathetic and wished me well.

My travels took me from Austin to Houston, Fort Worth and Garland, TX; Monroe, LA, Crossett, AR, East St. Louis, IL, St. Louis, MO, Memphis, TN, Carrollton, TX, Lewisville, TX and Grand Prairie, TX, then back to Austin. The closest I came to running out of hours was in Memphis with 6 minutes left on the clock when I shutt'er down. I am coming to accept the fact that getting a shower every other day (or three!) is gonna be the norm. I'm not liking truck stops, but they are a necessary evil. Several "ladies of the evening" were in evidence at the Flying J in W. Memphis, AR where I over-nighted. It's really tough finding a place to park at night. I ran the first three days without a GPS, but finally bought a Rand McNally at the Pilot in East St. Louis because I sensed a disaster in the making to find the Shipper in St. Louis without one. It was a big expense, but has "saved my bacon" several times during the remainder of the trip.

I still had a couple of hours left on my 70 clock after getting home. I drove the truck to a closed supermarket nearby and practiced 90 degree alley backing time and time again. I think it's finally coming to me about not over-steering and getting the timing down as to when to "get back under" the trailer. As one driver told me, when you are moving forward, you are steering the truck, but when you are backing up, you are steering the trailer. It's proving to be a helpful mind-set.

Well, that's enough of this saga. I hope you newbies and wannabes out there find this informative and helpful. It is stressful learning the ropes. My advice at this point is to slow down, stay back and always, always know where your trailer tandems are!

Way to go, man. You're really doing well. Keep these updates coming as and when you can. I know everybody on here who is lining up to make the jump appreciates knowing what it's like for a rookie out there.

Hey, that's a great update and it sounds like things are off to a great start!

I still had a couple of hours left on my 70 clock after getting home. I drove the truck to a closed supermarket nearby and practiced 90 degree alley backing time and time again

Awesome idea! That's what it takes to become a top-tier professional driver - take the bull by the horns and work at it. I love to see that kind of initiative.

Thanks for the update and we definitely look forward to hearing more!

Good to hear that your on your own, and learning OJT. There so many things on the road that cN't be taught in the classroom, or on the training pad. Stay confident, and you'll do fine. Practice when you can, and think thru every situation, if you can. Stay safe and sane...

Thanks for the encouragements. It means a lot to me! You're so right, Starcar, about the things you don't anticipate. One thing that surprised me are the number of four wheelers who seem content to drive right on your rear-end, or alongside of you, even out on the Interstates in the middle of nowhere. I'm driving 62 mph on cruise control, speed limit 75, and lo and behold there are those hanger-on four wheelers lolly-gagging along with me. It's just too funny!

I swear there are still people out there driving who believe the old wives tale about being able to get close enough to a big truck's trailer, so they get "pulled along" and save fuel. Now my personal idea about what goes on in my rear view mirror is probably different that others...I don't really bother to look in the rear view unless I"m changing lanes, or something else that will change where my truck is. Basically, if anything is happening in my rear view behind the truck...I can't do anything about anyway.. ..so why worry about it ??? I'm weird that way, I know...

I swear there are still people out there driving who believe the old wives tale about being able to get close enough to a big truck's trailer, so they get "pulled along" and save fuel. Now my personal idea about what goes on in my rear view mirror is probably different that others...I don't really bother to look in the rear view unless I"m changing lanes, or something else that will change where my truck is. Basically, if anything is happening in my rear view behind the truck...I can't do anything about anyway.. ..so why worry about it ??? I'm weird that way, I know...

I am pretty much the same way. If its behind me there is nothing I can do about it.

I am coming to accept the fact that getting a shower every other day (or three!) is gonna be the norm.

Is it truly that difficult to find the time to shower more often? Is this at the mercy of dispatch? I.E. Scheduling your pickups and drops so close that you can't grab a shower? I was hoping to be able to shower daily once I was out there but if it's just not possible then I want to have my mind set about it.

I am coming to accept the fact that getting a shower every other day (or three!) is gonna be the norm.

Is it truly that difficult to find the time to shower more often? Is this at the mercy of dispatch? I.E. Scheduling your pickups and drops so close that you can't grab a shower? I was hoping to be able to shower daily once I was out there but if it's just not possible then I want to have my mind set about it.

It can indeed be tough to get a shower every day. Multiple things can prevent this but it can be done. Now ya may have to pay for the show cause your not at a truck stop that has a point system in place or the showers are not the cleanest but it can be done.

Besides most drivers are out for 21 to 30 days at a time. Sometimes more. Where would you store 21 to 30 changes of clothes assuming you like to have clean clothes on after you shower? Not enough room in the truck for that. A shower every other day or two days is about the norm.

For those of us that HAVE to atleast do a little something about how our hide feels....I came up with Trucker wipes !!! Baby wipes are ok...but wayy to little, and WAY to expensive. I got a plastic box with a flip lid. I bought a roll of the WHITE paper shop towels ( they are really heavy paper towels), you can find them at auto stores, hardware stores, etc. I buy a bottle of baby shampoo, and I'm ready to make my trucker wipes. I fill the plastic box 1/2 full of hot water, add some shampoo, mix and start laying the towels in it, one at a time. Sounds like it takes alot of time, but I can do it in about 10 minutes. put towels in the box till the water is all gone. Then when you can't get a shower, pull out the wipes and wash up. The reason I use baby shampoo is that it doesn't have any acid type stuff in it. So since you don't rinse it off, it doesn't matter, it won't irritate your skin. And it they does feel wonderful. And lets face it....its better than nothing. So give it a try...