Switching DMs Without Hurting Feelings And Went Down A Road With A 9 Foot Bridge, No U Turn.

Stuffs been strange lately. I'll get to the bridge issue in a second.

My current DM let me know he will be leaving soon in private. He's a really nice kid, and has bent over backwards for me, but he has struggles with getting me routes that I need from the load planners, they seem to take advantage of him.

His alternate is on the ball and I get along well with him. The other alternate I clash with. I asked the alternate I groove with if I could get on his board when my dm leaves. He said yes please, he loves having great drivers on his board. He talked with the TM, and they have both been dispatching me loads on the sly. I took care of a bunch of pita local loads for them and they are handling me loads that I want and need.

It feels kind of crappy to do to my regular DM but it makes a large monetary difference per week. I don't want to get caught in the middle of a conflict so am still principally running under my regular DM but having the new guy fix loads. Both the TM and DMs flat out told me that they want to ensure I stay happy and well stocked with good loads as they count on me. Feels good in that aspect.

Ok, the bridge. Been doing local weird stuff, had to shuttle a bad trailer to a fleet service place. Was tired and hungry, not paying attention, with my head in my emotions. Drove past the alley, past the 9'0 Bridge ahead signs. Very tight road.

That gut level instinct popped up, as I passed an unused exit to an oil refinery. The garmin started popping alarm tones. I put on the hazards and pulled over half on the road, half on what little shoulder there is. 35 mph road, but tons of traffic.

I walked down about a quarter mile to see the bridge height, Super low. 9 feet. Lots of swear words and self condemnation. Quick thinking, no where for a u turn at all. Thinking I'll have to call the DM, safety and police. Then I remember the entrance, nicely on my sight side. I'll have to back up and do a 90 into it. I go walk it, check it out, it will work. No spotter around and it's following a blind corner.

I hustle, pre angle the 90 and go backwards in the other lane, whip it in first shot, no pull up, perfect, no adjustments.

All well that ends well, I message to please include the warning of the low bridge if you miss the driveway (it's overgrown and easy to miss) in the directions for the customer.

I told my DM what happened, he replied "I trust you and no worries, and you're all good"

I think GTown said to be careful with the emotions going on with the break up. Very true. Not happy with myself over it. It's another instance where I just have really good luck and instincts. Not how I want to run.

Reminds me of my 4 months with New Legends. 1st DM was young guy in his 30s, I told him from the start " Bro I'm out here to turn burn the miles. Just keep me busy with whatever, and I will "Git r dun" He was kinda green, so I kinda micro managed him a tiny bit, and he kept me running 1400-1600 mile loads. About 6+ weeks in, I got swapped to another young guy, who sat next to my 1st guy. Was told he was getting new guys, and my new guy was taking his more experienced drivers....All good, met him when met my first DM. And had a cool chat with him as well, on that I wanted to keep rocking what I had before, all good. So fast forward to giving my DM a 2 week notice, I was fully retiring by end of March. He told me he was also leaving a week before me, for something else. So he kinda loaded me up on loads, to get me to my last load.

So I'm at my final load in Perris, Calif. Had to drop load at dock and BT over to parking area...This place was tight so no room to be connected during unloading (live unload) During the time I'm docking and unhooking my cell rings, I wait til I'm parked to see who called....Well, was from our Phoenix yard, where our DMs were. Was a 3 Rd youngster DM, I'd met before. So he tells me " Hey, this is Chance, I'm gunna be your new DM" So jokingly I replied " uh no, you're not bro, this is my last n final load" Didn't Jose tell you guys, I gave my 2 week notice, and this was my last day" Evidently no one was told I was retiring, so Chance said he would tell the powers that be if this. Then said if I ever wanna come back, I was more than welcome to do so, down the line....Then he congratulated me n wished me good luck in life.

I can imagine the queasy feeling I'd get in the pit of my stomach when faced with a narrow road and a low bridge ahead. Missing the sign in the first place could be considered a loss. BUT solving the problem and coming out unscathed is a huge WIN in my book. It s***s having to be in that position, but I think you more than balanced the scales in your favor in the end. I'd say it's a net positive if you add it all up. And a great reminder to us all about staying cool under pressure and solving difficult problems. We'll done!

Hey you noticed your mistake and fixed it way before you got to the bridge. That’s a win. Sure, make sure you’re paying attention and not missing signs but you did well I think. Out of curiosity where was that bridge? There’s a 9 something foot bridge close to one of the places I unload at. For ****s and giggles I took the truck bobtail under it one day when there was no traffic to see if I could clear it (I got out and looked before driving under it to make sure I wouldn’t hit it) since I don’t know exactly how tall our trucks are. Our trailers are too tall but now I have a better idea how tall the truck is

Hey you noticed your mistake and fixed it way before you got to the bridge. That’s a win. Sure, make sure you’re paying attention and not missing signs but you did well I think. Out of curiosity where was that bridge? There’s a 9 something foot bridge close to one of the places I unload at. For ****s and giggles I took the truck bobtail under it one day when there was no traffic to see if I could clear it (I got out and looked before driving under it to make sure I wouldn’t hit it) since I don’t know exactly how tall our trucks are. Our trailers are too tall but now I have a better idea how tall the truck is

The railroad bridges on 60th Ave in commerce city. Was going to fleet services down there, right off Vasquez.

EEK. Good save. The spider senses paid off for you.

Davy, how are you doing? Tough time for you, keep us posted.

Davy, how are you doing? Tough time for you, keep us posted.

Ditto, BK...

Got me thinking;

Just checking Y/T . . . it's been quiet as well. We're thinking of you, Dave. Always here at TT for ya ~

Trucking with Big D ! (for those that missed it..)

~ Anne ~

Stuffs been strange lately. I'll get to the bridge issue in a second.

My current DM let me know he will be leaving soon in private. He's a really nice kid, and has bent over backwards for me, but he has struggles with getting me routes that I need from the load planners, they seem to take advantage of him.

His alternate is on the ball and I get along well with him. The other alternate I clash with. I asked the alternate I groove with if I could get on his board when my dm leaves. He said yes please, he loves having great drivers on his board. He talked with the TM, and they have both been dispatching me loads on the sly. I took care of a bunch of pita local loads for them and they are handling me loads that I want and need.

It feels kind of crappy to do to my regular DM but it makes a large monetary difference per week. I don't want to get caught in the middle of a conflict so am still principally running under my regular DM but having the new guy fix loads. Both the TM and DMs flat out told me that they want to ensure I stay happy and well stocked with good loads as they count on me. Feels good in that aspect.

Ok, the bridge. Been doing local weird stuff, had to shuttle a bad trailer to a fleet service place. Was tired and hungry, not paying attention, with my head in my emotions. Drove past the alley, past the 9'0 Bridge ahead signs. Very tight road.

That gut level instinct popped up, as I passed an unused exit to an oil refinery. The garmin started popping alarm tones. I put on the hazards and pulled over half on the road, half on what little shoulder there is. 35 mph road, but tons of traffic.

I walked down about a quarter mile to see the bridge height, Super low. 9 feet. Lots of swear words and self condemnation. Quick thinking, no where for a u turn at all. Thinking I'll have to call the DM, safety and police. Then I remember the entrance, nicely on my sight side. I'll have to back up and do a 90 into it. I go walk it, check it out, it will work. No spotter around and it's following a blind corner.

I hustle, pre angle the 90 and go backwards in the other lane, whip it in first shot, no pull up, perfect, no adjustments.

All well that ends well, I message to please include the warning of the low bridge if you miss the driveway (it's overgrown and easy to miss) in the directions for the customer.

I told my DM what happened, he replied "I trust you and no worries, and you're all good"

I think GTown said to be careful with the emotions going on with the break up. Very true. Not happy with myself over it. It's another instance where I just have really good luck and instincts. Not how I want to run.

I know this is almost a week old but felt compelled to reply... As a DM myself, we want our drivers to do well. Even if that means you leaving the fleet. Do what is best for you, and always be honest and upfront with things, we like those types of drivers. If you explain it and show your appreciation for him and all he did, I'm positive he'll be very happy for you. Keep doing your thing and be safe out there.

Davy, how are you doing? Tough time for you, keep us posted.

Ditto, BK...

Got me thinking;

Just checking Y/T . . . it's been quiet as well. We're thinking of you, Dave. Always here at TT for ya ~

Trucking with Big D ! (for those that missed it..)

~ Anne ~

I'm doing good. Thank you. Heart warming. Processing a lot of things and really growing personally. Making a lot of personal changes.

Been thin and lean all my life, I did hard physical labor for 35 years. So my calorie intake was never enough to gain weight let alone muscle mass. Fast forward to a year and a half in this industry and that changed.

Started getting a bit of a belly. Now working out consistently, great bodyweight program coupled with a healthy high protein, low carb diet, switched to only water instead of Gatorade. Am rapidly building healthy lean muscle, reducing fat and gaining core strength back. Minimal cardio as it's not needed for my body comp.

Feeling great, meditation and stretching along with walking for 1 to 2 miles between workout days. Back is feeling best it has in decades. Posture greatly improved. Mental acuity on point.

I still have my days where it challenges my emotions but I've got great tools to help with things and am pursuing counseling. Much as we take care of our bodies, our minds need help too.

Still have a circus going with loads, dispatch and DMs, but I navigate through it. Usually if I'm thinking the worst of a situation I realize it's usually due to my expectations and worries so I just step back for a minute, communicate and go on to the next load. Knight, for all my gripes, has taken care of me without fail and really makes an effort. It's my attitude that determines how my days go.