New To Trucking And Stressed Out

Hello Nathan,

We all can relate to your stress because we all experienced it and probably still get stressed out at times.

I’d just like to expand on what PJ advised. Google Earth (the satellite view), has been my salvation. In my opinion and experience, to get optimal benefit from it you need a screen bigger than a phone. I use an Apple tablet, which is an IPad tablet.

What are you currently using for navigation and are you using Google Earth? Do you have someone experienced to call if you have a problem or question? If you need someone to guide you through the process and to learn it so you are self sufficient, get my email from my profile and shoot me a phone number. I can walk you through a few assignments until you have it down pat. Advance preparation is the key to successful navigation. Before too long, you will develop pattern recognition skills that will help you deal with new locations. Most of the transportation facilities we go to are cookie cutter to one extent or another and even locations that don’t seem at all similar, have common aspects.

So don’t get too stressed because you can reach out for help.

I am using google maps and google earth to get a street view, however I am using a phone. Luckily I have two trainers/ mentors who have been amazing and really helped me get through my first week. Im hoping that a lot of the stress is from beginner level driving skills. If I’m wrong in a location can I get myself turned around is what goes through my mind when I’m looking things over. I’m still trying to figure out the capabilities of the truck and how to approach things with space given.

Thank you all for sharing, I assumed I wasn’t the only one going through this. But it was reassuring to hear all of your experiences and thank you for all the advice! I’ve officially made it through my first week, no accidents, bad predicaments, and deliveries/ pickups made on time!

Great job Nathan!

Your goal is simple. Be on time and don't hit anything.

You did a great job.

This seems really stressful at the beginning. You are going to get better with exposure. Keep up the great work! It will get better.

I am new to trucking, 6 weeks of training with a trainer which went great and I soaked up as much as I could. I am currently on my first solo run. Everything has went good so far but I’m am really stressed and overwhelmed at times. I really enjoy driving the hwy/interstates but it’s the finding loading and receiving locations and where to go that is killing me. Can anyone relate when you were starting your career? Does the stress get better over time showing up to new facilities that are not so obvious where you go especially if it’s tight?

Congrats on your first solo run, that's awesome! Totally get the stress, those first few weeks can be a real trip. I remember feeling the same way, trying to find loading docks and getting turned around. It definitely gets easier with time and experience.