The Ups And Downs Of Trucking With Triletter

Haven't checked-in for a while, but I lurk when I can and enjoy the posts.

To the point of this post, you have to be resilient to stay with this profession. Those first 6 months were some of the hardest work with a whole lot of rewards for knowing you were "getting" it. Getting better at managing time, learning the log systems ins and outs. Tired every night, but ready to go the next morning. Yes, there were some "awe, sh#%'s", but nothing really big. You don't really have a reference for how you are doing because you are by yourself. At Melton we have a driver score card to provide some feedback which is good. While it gives you some idea, there are so many factors out of your control that they can be inconsistent; home time, length of runs, weather, etc. However, it isn't until you see one of the brand new guys that you realize just how far you have come. They fumble with the straps as you did and give you a blank look when you ask them certain questions about securement. Then you meet one of the trainers, ask a question about a new load and find out just how little you really know about this business.

I enjoy my job more than I can say. My DM is great and works with me when I get a load that was loaded in a muddy work area and will be getting mud out of my truck and straps for weeks. Got #3 in our fleet based on the driver score card and made the top 100 (26 of 1126) in the company for the month of January. Pretty happy with that. Then, when you least expect it, the other shoe falls. I have been out since 18 Feb and have had my trailer tagged twice and last night my truck took a hit. Where did the target on my back come from?! The trailers were minor, but the paper work over the phone takes away from production. I have the first of 4 drops tomorrow and know that more time is going to be spent with claims about the damage to the truck and then, when empty, time in the shop. However, that drive cam I bought will be worth its weight in gold if there are any questions. Especially when the other driver was being such a turd about the whole situation. At one point, the sheriff told him that if we hadn't been on private property that he would be in cuffs.

Bottom line, you have to be able to "go with the flow". You can't get too confident because that is when something will bring you screaming right back to reality. You also have to keep in mind that it isn't the highs and lows that you are evaluated on (unless it is a MAJOR low), but how you are doing in the overall. Are you improving and not making the same mistake twice? Then, no matter what your downer self tells you, you are doing all right. And as always, Murphy is lurking out there to deflate any ego you may have built up. Deal with it, move on and look at it as a long series of learning experiences. Always look for the positives in EVERY situation and you will do OK.

This site is such a great place to learn from. Some times it will be "been there, done that". Other times you will be able to use the lessons learned to help you avoid or deal with problems you encounter. Thank you to Brett for this site and all of the other experienced and not so experienced posters that make it what it is. Be safe and NEVER give up!