Profile For Bird-One

You guys are way overthinking it. Backing comes with time. That simple. No magic formula or video will change that. Taking your time, and getting out to look. That is the most important part. Having patience. The second you let another impatient driver rush you. That’s when you will hit something.

Whatever happen to six string rhythm? Wasn’t he odfl?

Can you further explain than? Because Rob T had a very valid point. Im also curious as to how that would work.

No not at all

The reason I’m going team with the flatbed is because the work will be easier and take less time as opposed to one person doing it.

How's that going to work as far as the driver who's supposed to be resting getting their 10 hour break? Will the other driver be doing work related duties while logged sleeper/off duty? Thats a huge no no if its caught.

Haha you broke it down better than I did. That was in fact what I meant by “koolaide”. You’ve been giving great advice lately.

Sorry, Bird-one. Didn't realize you were leaving a response while I was writing mine. I'm not trying to put words in your mouth here😁

Whether I’m a rookie, or have been driving almost 3 years now, most with the same company, and never updated my status is not important. But what is, is when you blame your shortcomings and failures on the company that’s textbook terminal rat to me. Or you can work on being successful, bettering yourself, not hitting stuff, stick out a year, become a top tier driver, and than move on after the year if you still want to.

Nobody’s drinking the kool-aid fellow rookie but ok

Eric you not stating anything factual. What you are saying is purely subjective. You worry should be solely on yourself and your performance. Not how a company looks to other people. I have no idea what you mean by “a company is only as good as its drivers”. I worry about myself and have never blamed a company. Don’t drink that terminal rat koolaide.

Because I’m pointing out to the negativity that’s out there surrounding western. Everyone loves to blame the company,I’ve done it myself. But a company is only as good as its drivers 🤷‍♂️. Sure I sound like a bootlicker but im just stating facts.

In that case, you should be licking your chops to get out there and outshine the internal competition. Driving is competitive. You are competing mostly with your coworkers. Go ahead and leave them in the dust. Show WE that you are a step above the other people they hire😉

Eric you not stating anything factual. What you are saying is purely subjective. You worry should be solely on yourself and your performance. Not how a company looks to other people. I have no idea what you mean by “a company is only as good as its drivers”. I worry about myself and have never blamed a company. Don’t drink that terminal rat koolaide.

Because I’m pointing out to the negativity that’s out there surrounding western. Everyone loves to blame the company,I’ve done it myself. But a company is only as good as its drivers 🤷‍♂️. Sure I sound like a bootlicker but im just stating facts.

In that case, you should be licking your chops to get out there and outshine the internal competition. Driving is competitive. You are competing mostly with your coworkers. Go ahead and leave them in the dust. Show WE that you are a step above the other people they hire😉

Eric you not stating anything factual. What you are saying is purely subjective. You worry should be solely on yourself and your performance. Not how a company looks to other people. I have no idea what you mean by “a company is only as good as its drivers”. I worry about myself and have never blamed a company. Don’t drink that terminal rat koolaide.

Because I’m pointing out to the negativity that’s out there surrounding western. Everyone loves to blame the company,I’ve done it myself. But a company is only as good as its drivers 🤷‍♂️. Sure I sound like a bootlicker but im just stating facts.

In that case, you should be licking your chops to get out there and outshine the internal competition. Driving is competitive. You are competing mostly with your coworkers. Go ahead and leave them in the dust. Show WE that you are a step above the other people they hire😉

A great point RealDiehl. Eric why on earth would it matter to you what kind of people WE hired?

You also mentioned that a big problem was the type of people they bring in to hire.

In that case, you should be licking your chops to get out there and outshine the internal competition. Driving is competitive. You are competing mostly with your coworkers. Go ahead and leave them in the dust. Show WE that you are a step above the other people they hire😉

Like Laura said he couldn’t handle the military either. He didn’t finish is contract which is most of the time behavior issues. Sometimes medical. Probably had to many people telling him he wasn’t cut out for it. He couldn’t go back even if he wanted to.

Zach if possible I think you should find a way to go back in the service as you seem perfectly suited for it (this is not an insult).

To succeed at trucking you need to be an independent problem solver who learns from his mistakes, and that simply doesn’t seem to be your strong suit. You seem to prefer being told exactly what to do every minute of every task without having to figure it out yourself.

Very slightly cracking the window can help to.

Two things that surprised me was that I didn’t panic, and somehow as I rode beside the tanker unable to see with wipers icing up and defrosters cooking me, the tankers windshield was perfectly clear, with no wipers going at all. I would love to know how he did that.

Keep the cab cold in a cold snow. Only need heat in a wet heavy snow.

No Zack your first driving job was not a huge disaster. It was a completely normal trial and tribulations for a new rookie driver. And keep telling you that over and over again. We gave you sound advice but you continued to ignore it. Can’t help somebody who does want the help themselves. We would give it to you and than you would come back and say “welp my dm said I’m not good” “old timers said I’m no good” “janitor who cleans the bathroom at the terminal said I’m no good” So go ahead Zack and turn it in. For you it will end up being the same at any driving job.

Who are these supposed “old timers” that told you this Zack? And nobody would have any good reason to tell a brand new driver that they are not cut for this solely because they are not being “successful”. Because again Zack like everybody continues to tell you. You are new. Nobody is successful at this in the beginning. Everything you are feeling and experiencing is nothing out of the ordinary. It does not matter what your DM may or may not think. It matters what Zack thinks.

All failures are short-term. No failure is permanent.

I haven't said much to Zach because everyone else has said it all much better than I could. But I don't think it's so much the trucking part, I think he is just really overwhelmed with all he doesn't know. The old hands here for as long as I've been here have always said that school just teaches you to drive the truck, the rest comes after. I think that he got tangled up thinking that as long as he could drive he would be ok, then he gets thrown into a ****ty team situation, as well as trying to figure out all the stuff that school and trainers didn't teach. We all know there's a ton to learn on our own. Yeah he might whine and complain too much, but what driver doesn't at times? I know I do, I complain about stuff all the time, I just know the difference between a valid issue and what is just part of trucking.

Zach I honestly think you are being really hard on yourself. Yeah you screwed up, maybe multiple times, but again who hasn't? Screwing up is part of learning. Perhaps the most important part because if everything goes smooth and you just coast along, what do you really learn? I think you need to tell your dm that your gonna stick with it but solo this time so you don't have to worry about anyone else's mistakes. Just your own and you can learn from them. If your dm says no, take the swift offer. Go through training with them, make sure they know you want to be solo and give it a shot. You haven't rolled a truck or hit anything that I remember you talking about so you really have nothing to lose, except the chance that you might actually turn out to be good at this job.

I've had plenty of old timers say that im not cut out for trucking and for good reason lol. It takes alot more then not hitting anything to be successful at this job. Either you have it or you don't. I've come a very long way from where I started but its not enough to make it out here, there's a reason why my DM wants me gone, because I'm not being successful.

I know exactly where you are. When I’m heading the opposite direction I get off at Genoa rd to bypass that toll. A few hours later I’d be in that area. Roll on. We’ll try for next time.

Hey Packrat I’m sure we will eventually. It just so happens unfortunately I’m booked tonight. Have a prior obligation for a dinner. I hate to use excuses. What time exactly are you rolling through tonight and will it be TA again?

Packrat says.... not the co driver, not the DM, not Western Express. He’s right Zack it’s not up to your DM if you can drive or not, if you can stay employed or not, when or how you can shower. You have also slammed both of your co drivers talking about how they can’t do there job. But than you talk about how you’re not cut out for this Now they are gone and you are done. None of it makes any sense. You comment in one post “my co driver accidentally pulled the trailer knob”. What??? How do accidentally pull a trailer knob? I think you are making somethings up here for whatever reason. Two questions I still have. 1. Did you ever reach out to fellow western express driver Jammer?

2. I thought Kearsey have great advice about reaching out to Safety. Did you ever do that?

More excuses from poor Zach:

"I'll really miss this lifestyle". How do you know, Zach? You've been looking for any possible reason to jump out since you started with Western Express. You have complained about how awful it is in every topic you started on here. Laughable.

Want to know why you supposedly cannot become a success story driving for Western Express or any other employer?

Look in the mirror. Every possible thing is available for you to succeed and you just can't succeed, though?

You are the reason, not a co-driver, not a DM, not Western Express. You.

I take it personal when countless drivers offer an infinite amount of advice, assistance, encouragement, and motivation to someone that won't even try to learn this craft.

Done with this one.

Zack, EVERYBODY that comes into this career is in over their heads for some period of time. It’s the one that want it that persevere. I hope you are able to find what it is you are looking for and able to become successful at it.

I guess like many people who come out here I was just in over my head

Think it’s safe to say we’re all proud of you Rob. Awesome stuff man.

That’s says it all right there Zack. Jammer is offering you his contact info. I’d think you’d be all over that offer if you truly wanted this. Nobody is gonna feel sorry for you man. You say you were in the military. I hate using cheesy military terms. But a gunny once told me “you’re supposed to make it happen, not let it happen”. It’s all up to you Zack. Make your own destiny. Good luck.

Bro go to the terminal and tell them face to face in front and f your dm boss I don’t want to be ram drive unless you signed a contract saying your willing to team drive they can’t make you nobody can make me!! Do anything !! I’ve was in trouble most my life and nobody got me out of trouble but me!! O/s said it best now what are you gonna do zack? Go into the terminal and tell them you want to go solo or you quit!!! That whole thing you don’t have nothing to fall back on? If that’s truly how you see it then get over being but hurt and learn how to team drive ! Help out your co pilot to learn how to drive how did he go back to the shipper with the qaulcom telling him where to go ?? It don’t go backwards unless you need to clear current stop ! And that’s almost always a fuel stop!! Changing dms is not hard I’ve seen with my 2 eyes guys an gals right there in that same terminal switch dms like they change clothes end up with a dm from Nashville call h.r ask for head of operations show them your back and fourth with the dm on your qaulcom ..unles you only called your dm for that 2 I want you to succeed I’ve we’ve all offered advice on it I’m not coming down on you!!! But you’ve got to put out man get after it make changes to your situation!! Or leave it!!! I don’t know what else to try and tell you !! Get driving solo!! Or learn to team!!! Shoot a pic of your dispatch I can help you understand abbreviation but you still haven’t posted it yet shoot me your number !! I don’t mind helping you out somebody did it for me

Why are you still teaming??? You asked advise about how to handle it, and it sounds like your still teaming but with someone else. You seem to have fault with everyone. Time for you to make some serious decisons for yourself there young sir.

These forums are proffessional always have been and always will be. They are to educate new drivers and potential new drivers. Proffessionals don’t go on social media talking the way you choose to. I highly encourage this type of post be on a different platform.

As I've said before, I've tried to go solo but the only person with the power to get me my own truck is my DM. I like how in most people's eyes I'm always wrong and everyone else is right. You guys go ahead and side with a company that let's schizophrenic people behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound death machine that could take out a whole family. I've begged not to make me team anymore and it doesn't matter to them, like I've said before my complaints fall on def ears it is what it is.

Hey Packrat... I didn’t want to keep hijacking the anti gel thread. My load got pushed back in the morning. I was going to just drive to the TA since it’s only about 30 minutes away but than I got nothing going on till 4. Maybe next time. I always pass thru the TA in Hampshire. Also a big Loves right there. There’s a new Loves in Rockford now too off of the 20/39.

I had a feeling it was going to be somewhere along that stretch. I used to be out that way everyday but not anymore. Are you taking 90 up to Minnesota? Maybe I’ll catch you the road as you’re passing through.

Tuesday will be an early day for me. Wednesday I’m running tankers from Rockford to Morton Grove up and down 90. Start time 2 AM. You know where at you’ll be fueling?

What day do you think you’ll be fueling up in Chicago?

I'm actually going to do an experiment. I'm on a trip with a delivery in Hutchinson, MN on Thursday morning. I'm going to fuel somewhere just south of Chicago and I'm not going to treat the fuel and see what happens.

As always, I have extra parts, filters, tools, etc. if this bites me. We'll see how it works out.

Late Tuesday PM, or early AM on Wednesday.