The Highs Are Really High And The Lows Are Really Low

I'll add...... Relax. This profession really isn't that complicated IF you pay attention. I'm not trying to be snarky at all, please don't take it that way... So many new drivers tend to over complicate this job. Take it slow where you need to and again, PAY ATTENTION. That way you'll be less likely to find yourself in the position of having to call safety and road service..... Your GPS routed you on the wrong road?? RELAX, breathe, take your time, gather your thoughts about how you're going to get yourself out of the situation. Never act before you've thought about what you're doing or what you have to do.

Remember, you've chosen a profession that has many GREAT rewards... We get to see things most will never see, we get to work by ourselves, we don't have a boss staring over our shoulder (I 'm good at ignoring the box on the dash;)) ) and we get to get paid while doing it. So just relax, learn from your mistakes and enjoy the road.

RELAX, breathe, take your time, gather your thoughts about how you're going to get yourself out of the situation. Never act before you've thought about what you're doing or what you have to do.

This seems like obvious advice, but if put into practice, it would have prevented all of the worst eff ups I've had since I started my semi driving career.

Letting yourself become anxious because of the people and vehicles around you and reacting hastily is a death sentence. That's what I did there in Seattle when I popped that tire.

Patience is definitely something you need to have when things fall apart quickly. A LOT easier said than done, but it does work. Piloting a 75,000+ pound high profile vehicle will definitely lead to bad decisions. One thing that may work for you is to tell yourself that every driver (no matter what they say) has been right where you are. Things can go bad in the blink of any eye on the road, and keeping a level head in times of crisis only helps you. Getting angry only wastes energy and will wear you down over time.

My gps and the "directions" I was given from dispatch or the receiver often told me to go down roads I knew I had no business going down. If you can (provided your not in a bad area, we don't go to the best places sometimes), stop somewhere, put the flashers on and walk around to get your bearings. I've literally walked a half mile down a street sometimes just to make sure I could safely take the truck down there.

It will get better once you're safely parked at the receiver and relaxing (again, chocolate always works as a good stress reliever for me) and tomorrow you'll be laughing at the hair raising situation you were in less than 24 hours ago.

I remember those days, not to long ago. They will level out more as time marches on. It's funny but after being out here so much then going home, all those things that annoyed you are not even on your radar anymore. In a few months the things that are yanking you around like a yoyo will not even be noticed.

**BUMP**