I Think This Is It...

Let's see, a few days ago, I "won" a ticket to the "Policeman's Ball" in June, I also accidentally backed into a car. Not much noticeable damage, THANK GOD, and I almost got in a collision with another Semi.

Granted, it was L.A., but I think The Lord is trying to tell me something. OTR trucking just might NOT be for me.

If I don't get fired, I am thinking of quitting. I ain't looking to hurt myself or anyone else. I'll be heading to the terminal in a few days.

Dave

So what are you going to do then?

Maybe you're just having/had a very bad week?

Maybe you're just having/had a very bad week?

Maybe, but maybe NOT. I would hate to see what is the worse thing that could happen. Earlier in the week, I pulled onto a soft shoulder and thought it was about to give way.

So what are you going to do then?

I'll think of something. Maybe yard dog work, or Class B truck. I'll think of something. Maybe I just need a break.

Don't get me wrong, I'll miss OTR , but I'd rather be safe, alive and NOT in jail over OTR and have a serious accident with a fatality.

Dave

Well I'm the last person in the world that would ever tell someone to drive a truck if they thought that wasn't where they wanted to be. But I'll offer this....

I always had a policy for myself that I never wanted to make big decisions during emotional times....good or bad. For instance, being in business has a lot of ups and downs. I've run some small businesses of my own and I've helped others run theirs. There are times when things are really on a roll in a good way and it's tempting to double down and try to make a big move to expand in a big way. Then there are times when things seem to be unraveling and it's tempting to get out while the gettin's good.

The stock market is the same way. I've been investing in the market for about 13 years now and I've watched my investments soar and plummet time and time again. When things are on a roll it's tempting to double down. When things start going downhill it's hard not to sell everything and be thankful you have anything left at all.

But ultimately I tried very hard to push major decisions off for a short time. Usually it only takes a few days or a couple of weeks and things stabilize. Then you're able to relax and think more clearly.

I think every driver has times they think about getting out. I did in fact get out a few times to go try other careers. I was always a curious one looking for new challenges and adventures. But I would never make that kind of decision on a 37 degree rainy day when I'm trying to find parking in Jersey, I've been stuck in the Northeast for a week, and I'm exhausted and frustrated with everything. Nor would I make decisions like that when I was lucky enough to spend a weekend in Vegas or New Orleans watching the shows and hittin the town. If I was going to quit trucking it would be on maybe a 70 degree day in April when I was rolling through Nebraska and absolutely nothing spectacular was happening one way or another. Just an ordinary day. That's when I could assess things properly.

I'm not going to try to talk you into staying or leaving. I would just say do your best to make sure it's a logical decision and not an emotional one.

It is a little bit of both. Don't get me wrong, I'll miss it. The country is beautiful, but I have to consider whether or NOT I am as safe a driver as I can be. The selfish thing would be to keep driving until somebody , including me got hurt or killed because I wasn't paying attention to the vehicle to both my left and right. I can't blame others for actions all the time, because I am ultimately in control.

Dave

...but I have to consider whether or NOT I am as safe a driver as I can be...

Dave

Hey Dave,

I certainly can appreciate anyone thinking they may not be safe on the road, but I also think you may have hit the nail on the head, all by yourself. "Am I as safe a driver as I could be?" Are there any tricks, tools or refreshers you could do on your down time to reinforce your safety practices? Think about it.

I agree with Brett, our down-moments are not usually the best times to be making life-changing decisions.

Sounds like you are being very hard on yourself. Take a deep breathe, take some time off. Then see how you feel.

This isn't the first time I had a close call. I am a clutsy, I guess. I just don't want to be clutsy to the point where I hurt someone else.

My company let me go. However, I was told that some people actually stuck up for me.

Dave