I Really Really Really Hate Team Driving

Zach i wish you the best in whatever you do next. The truth is you've been so wrapped up in what your co-driver is (or isnt) doing that its consumed you. You've resorted to the blame game and focusing on stuff out of your control over things you can. Tandems , trip planning and QC are all such easy things to fix. Had you come here looking for help resolving those problems rather than using it as a platform to vent i feel you'd have received more help. There's nothing wrong with complaining occasionally but when you don't appear to heed the advice after a while people stop being as willing. You have to remember that drivers on this forum are performing at the highest levels and VOLUNTEER their time to helping new drivers get started. Personally, if my time is limited I'm going to spend that assisting someone that will use the knowledge to fix the issue. We've had numerous members come through here that had poor training. After implementing some of our suggestions they've gone on to become successful drivers. Jammer has offered his contact info many times to help you out and I don't see anything suggesting you took advantage of it.

I agree with checking into Linehaul. You'll have a set routine for the most part which may be what you need. No need to trip plan You'll show up run to the same place every day and make it back to the same starting point at the end of day. Please keep us updated where life takes you.

I guess I have been blaming everyone and everything but myself for things going wrong. I've wanted this to do this for a long time but like everyone on here has said, I'm just not cut out for the job. I don't have the right attitude to be out here. A lot of my problems come from lack of trip planning and thinking ahead instead of relying on someone else to tell me what to do. I've improved tremendously since I first came in the seat and was scared of the truck, I'm actually a very gopd driver lol but I just haven't caught on to the other thing's quick enough like tandem sliding and pre-planning, my co driver quit a day ago and I have agreed with my DM to turn the truck back in early next week. Thank you for all you're help and guidance along the way sorry for being such a pain in the ass. Maybe one day when Im older and have more life experience I will come back out but for now it's probably best I find something else to do. This will be my last post here, you won't have to hear any more sniveling from me again. Be safe out there on the road.

That is indeed a shame Zach especially when you consider your team driving situation has seemingly worked itself out. Good luck.

Since you are solo give it another week or two before deciding, I thought I was the worst driver to ever set foot in a truck when I started.

If you still decide OTR I seriously think you should consider linehaul for a ltl company

Zach, sorry to hear that you're throwing in the towel, but I respect your decision. As others said, it sounds like strange timing seeing as the co-driver you were complaining about just left, but maybe there's more to it than you're telling us. In any case, good luck in the future.

To everyone who says I should have stuck it out my DM and I talked and he says I'm just not trucker material and I should find something else to do in life and I agree with that completely, my lack of pre planing has caused me to be late to appointments numerous times. Sticking around isn't really an option since I already agreed to turn the truck in im just waiting on a load out to the terminal. I actually really liked the lifestyle out here and will miss it alot, I wish things could have worked and been different but such is life. I don't know why everyone is mad at me for leaving when I've already been repeatedly told this wasn't for me.

To everyone who says I should have stuck it out my DM and I talked and he says I'm just not trucker material and I should find something else to do in life and I agree with that completely, my lack of pre planing has caused me to be late to appointments numerous times. Sticking around isn't really an option since I already agreed to turn the truck in im just waiting on a load out to the terminal. I actually really liked the lifestyle out here and will miss it alot, I wish things could have worked and been different but such is life. I don't know why everyone is mad at me for leaving when I've already been repeatedly told this wasn't for me.

I'm one that is TOTALLY not mad at you; NOR am I a trucker. Just married to one. Tried it 6 months on a permit, WITH him. Tanks, and tough.

I'm with the others that are saying you should look into linehaul ~!! You HAVE the forward driving skills, you ARE young. So is Bobcat Bob, and so was Daniel B. when he started, AND REALLY, still is! He's the guy that made the pretrip guide on here. Started super young. Drives for OD now; even did FUEL hauling..twins.. at some point. (Rocky mt. doubles; not sure.)

I DO have a son your age from a previous marriage...I GET your indecisiveness and your lack of confidence; i totally do. HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT LINEHAUL ?? Zach, even FOODSTUFFS like Rob T. and Papa Pig do. Same places, same gigs, no time planning for the most part; its all set out for you.

Again, I either missed or don't know where you live. My husband and Don (on here) work for FAB Express. Daycabs, home daily off weekends. Same handful of places out of maybe 12, you'd get 2 or 3 a day.. and you'll know where, how, why, when. Mostly drop/hook...not all. You've probably got enough experience atm, that they'd take a chance on you.

Look them up.

Can't hurt.

I feel that you ARE a good driver; the shell shock of OTR just got you hemmed up.

Again, if the seasoned hands get upset w/me, I'm sorry. I'm motherly; and for a reason. Kids that age.

Seriously, look at Daniel B.'s training diaries. He almost quit a time or 2 also. I hear you on Western not working out; and I agree 100% with Bobcat Bob on looking into linehaul, or my guy's company. You are NOT a bad driver; you've said it yourself.

I'm glad you came back to follow up, and hope you still will, man. I get you. I do.

~ Anne ~

To everyone who says I should have stuck it out my DM and I talked and he says I'm just not trucker material and I should find something else to do in life and I agree with that completely, my lack of pre planing has caused me to be late to appointments numerous times. Sticking around isn't really an option since I already agreed to turn the truck in im just waiting on a load out to the terminal. I actually really liked the lifestyle out here and will miss it alot, I wish things could have worked and been different but such is life. I don't know why everyone is mad at me for leaving when I've already been repeatedly told this wasn't for me.

I'm not trying to put words into anyone else's mouth, but I don't think any of us are mad at you for leaving. There isn't a one of us here that doesn't want to see drivers succeed.

I would highly recommend you take a look at driving B Class -- after I washed out in a similar fashion to what you're dealing with, I drove a trash truck for almost two years to get a steadier head and hand.

Bro listen to what your saying my dm says I’m not trucker material and I agree with him?????I actually really liked the lifestyle????your finally solo and the only time you’ve sounded happ is waiting on a load to the terminal so you can quit??? Any ways like I said before good luck god bless

To everyone who says I should have stuck it out my DM and I talked and he says I'm just not trucker material and I should find something else to do in life and I agree with that completely, my lack of pre planing has caused me to be late to appointments numerous times. Sticking around isn't really an option since I already agreed to turn the truck in im just waiting on a load out to the terminal. I actually really liked the lifestyle out here and will miss it alot, I wish things could have worked and been different but such is life. I don't know why everyone is mad at me for leaving when I've already been repeatedly told this wasn't for me.

No ones mad at you you want to leave I think maybe you need to tell yourself that everyone’s telling you good luck best wishes ????

To everyone who says I should have stuck it out my DM and I talked and he says I'm just not trucker material and I should find something else to do in life and I agree with that completely, my lack of pre planing has caused me to be late to appointments numerous times. Sticking around isn't really an option since I already agreed to turn the truck in im just waiting on a load out to the terminal. I actually really liked the lifestyle out here and will miss it alot, I wish things could have worked and been different but such is life. I don't know why everyone is mad at me for leaving when I've already been repeatedly told this wasn't for me.

Zach depending where in California you live Old Dominion, Saia, ABF, Fed Ex Freight, and YRC may be option if linehaul interests you.

If you're interested in trying OTR elsewhere else use this link to Apply For Truck Driving Jobs. You're gonna end up going out with a trainer again but it sounds like that's what you need. CFI, swift, Schneider, werner may also be worth a shot. CRST is all team so don't even bother with them. When I did foodservice work my manager had told me I didn't look like foodservice material due to being a heavy set guy. I did my damndest to prove him wrong and lost some weight in the process. Unfortunately I've since gained it back and then a little more since I left =(

Again, if the seasoned hands get upset w/me, I'm sorry. I'm motherly; and for a reason. Kids that age.

There's nothing to apologize for Anne. The best part about a forum is differing views and life experiences help shape our opinions. Differing opinions is a good thing as long as its done in a respectful, no name calling way