Comments By Mr. T

I was just curious as to know lol. I didn't want to think I made a year when in reality I really hadn't. No I'm enjoying myself no plans to leave.

When is considered your 1 year anniversary with your company? Would it it be from the date that your company considered you hired or would it be from when you first started driving solo? In the eyes of another company when you try to leave which would they consider?

AAAACK! If you don't proof read, it'll come back and bite you every time!

Yeah, that fender mirror does double duty!!

Oh wow! YOU made made a mistake

Yeah, that fender mirror died double duty!!

Look behind you! See around corners!

Thanks a lot everyone! & yes nothing safer than to GOAL. I never thought to use that spot mirror on the front of the truck! Man where was my brain at??? Lol I'll definitely use it next time if I ever have to do it again. But as you all say practice makes perfect!

I finally see why they call it blind side! You can't see Crap! Lol. I was parking at a truck stop & the only spot I could get into required me to blindside it in. My backing already isn't that great so I caught HELL! But after getting out to look about 20 times every foot or so I backed up because I haven't learned how to judge what I see in my mirrors vs how much space I actually have. I finally got it in! Took me all of about 30 minutes! I was glad no other trucks were behind me waiting but even then I would not have cared I mean if they would have been in that much of a rush they would have helped in sure. But man I feel like I accomplished something! That's 1 more box I can check mark on my list. I did this maneuver as slow & as safe as possible, I got it in without hitting anything or anyone so i guess i succeeded. Best advice I have been giving that I can give to others is definitely GOAL & if you have to goal 20 times as I did so be it. Stay Safe!

Clan Royale!! I'm addicted!

When is is ok for a driver to contact the shipper or receiver himself? I've read where I see some of you more experienced drivers contact them directly to see if you can be seen early etc. As a rookie driver when is it ok to do this? I don't want to seem as if I'm stepping over my DM's toes or anything or over stepping my boundaries. Just asking because I had a situation where I had received my work assignment yesterday at about 10am. I had a full clock as I had stopped the day before at 6pm. My assignment says I'm loading at 20:00 & I am 10 miles away from the shipper. I was wondering if I could get an earlier appt since I'm so close. I call my DM & she says she will contact customer service to see if it could be changed. So after about 3 hours I call her back to see what happened & she says no one ever got back to her & that I should just call the shipper myself & see if they would take me early. Well I call them & they said no they have solid appt times, which is fine. But I just figured I should call her instead of calling myself so it wouldn't be a problem. So I figured I'll just chill a while then take a nap since I'll have to drive the night shift. I wake up about 1800 only to see my appt time has been changed to 7/21 @ 1400. Whooooaa. That would make for a day of sitting for me. So it's now 11am & I'm just waiting on about 13:00 before I roll out. Any advice for me? Whether I should have approached This differently or what I can do for next time if there is a next time? I'm open to all advice good or bad. Thanks!

I think I would have made the call and reported back to your DM and/or planner the result of that call. Assuming you have a good relationship with your DM, I seriously doubt they would mind if you took the bull by the horns. They too benefit by you continuing to move. In this case since you are soooo close, might not even be a bad idea to show-up and pull the old "in the neighborhood, I know I am early, but...is it possible to load me since I am here?" Worst case they say "no", and you park somewhere close for your break. Start to make a list of those companies that will allow this and those that repeatedly deny early access.

Luck of the drawl I have arrived hours early for many a backhaul and usually they will take me without a fuss. I don't think twice about it, just do it. Many shippers this time of year are happy to free up a little space.

Good advice! & they indeed took me early. In fact the guy was like we didn't have anyone scheduled all morning! I'm like whhhhaaaaattt!? I know next time to just make the call & report what I find out. I also think the making a list idea is a great one! That could save me much more time in the future. Thanks!

Just curious, who changed your appointment time? And why did they change it to the next day when you already had an appointment scheduled for that night?

That would be the million dollar question! & to show how much of a rookie I am I didn't even ask... I'm learning though.

When is is ok for a driver to contact the shipper or receiver himself? I've read where I see some of you more experienced drivers contact them directly to see if you can be seen early etc. As a rookie driver when is it ok to do this? I don't want to seem as if I'm stepping over my DM's toes or anything or over stepping my boundaries. Just asking because I had a situation where I had received my work assignment yesterday at about 10am. I had a full clock as I had stopped the day before at 6pm. My assignment says I'm loading at 20:00 & I am 10 miles away from the shipper. I was wondering if I could get an earlier appt since I'm so close. I call my DM & she says she will contact customer service to see if it could be changed. So after about 3 hours I call her back to see what happened & she says no one ever got back to her & that I should just call the shipper myself & see if they would take me early. Well I call them & they said no they have solid appt times, which is fine. But I just figured I should call her instead of calling myself so it wouldn't be a problem. So I figured I'll just chill a while then take a nap since I'll have to drive the night shift. I wake up about 1800 only to see my appt time has been changed to 7/21 @ 1400. Whooooaa. That would make for a day of sitting for me. So it's now 11am & I'm just waiting on about 13:00 before I roll out. Any advice for me? Whether I should have approached This differently or what I can do for next time if there is a next time? I'm open to all advice good or bad. Thanks!