Comments By Half Pint

Thank you Big T. Does that mean the bridges are ok for that height? I feel a little stupid asking but is it safe to assume that if 14 is legal that means the bridges are good? I'm only going to Yuma.

I previously worked for a company where I planned my routes and didn't have strict requirement on where to park. Now I drive for a company that routes me, my fuel stops, and wants specific place to park like only rest areas and truck stops. No pull offs, no ramps. I'm going through an adjustment about how to run my clock to find parking.

I prefer to start running at 0300 but if I get a late load and have a full clock that means I will only be able to go a few hours down the road to be able to get myself on that schedule. I don't always have that option now and it makes me look bad. But finding parking at midnight is almost impossible.

Another problem I have is getting over my nerves of having to find parking and manuever in the dark. I guess I've been pretty lucky this past year, either that or I've done myself a great disservice by not doing it so I could learn.

Considering I'm at a new company, have a new dispatcher, and recent issues as explained in my recent flatbed post, I really need to step up my game.

Another question I have is, do I only take a ten? For example, on a long run if I leave at 0300 and I stop at 1300 or shortly there after, I take a ten and I'm leaving at 2400 or 0100 depending on when I shut down. My clock will consistently move back. Or do I wait until 0300??

Also, this is my first winter running solo. I was a team driver last winter. How do I work my clock around bad weather, bad roads, and finding parking?

I drive flatbed for Western Express. I've been driving for almost be a year. Jan 1 will be my driving anniversary. Flatbed is new to me, I've been two weeks on my own. I previously hauled reefer.

The day before yesterday I arrived at the shipper in the afternoon to pick up a load of cardboard near Salinas California. The load was horrible. Here's a description.

1. It was 13' 11 high.

2. Product hung an inch to an inch and a half over the rub rail.

3. Straps would not reach the reels with sufficient length to reel them. I'm talking just enough strap to put it in the slot and grab maybe two inches.

4. The strap hooks would not go through the rub rail in many places. I'm 5' 1". With a load that high I couldn't hook it reversed and throw the strap. It landed on the product and they had no ladder. I haven't had the money for a ladder. I do know this is my responsibility if I need it

5. The load was required to be tarped per the company but the shipper had no way for me to get on the load and the fork lift wouldn't reach to the top to put the tarps on. Not only that but they weren't going to do it anyway because "none of your other drivers tarp this".

I called securement and learned how to make a scallop with the chains but the hook wouldn't even go through the rub rail. This is when the securement guy said that the load looked awfully high and suggested I measure it.

While I was there, the guys at the shipper continually said that none of our other drivers do this, or that, no one has ever had this much trouble, no we aren't going to rework it for YOU because because we never have to rework it for anyone else, etc.

They ended up closing shop and left me to finish except I couldn't finish and wasn't sure what to do about the height of the load and securement had gone home. I called dispatch and let them know.

I spent a restless night on the shipper's lot because I couldn't secure it and because another driver from another company who had helped throw the straps came back after everyone was gone to see if I would return the favor if you know what I mean... Thankfully he left without too much trouble but if he had of been forceful I could be writing a different entry all together.

I got up early to start again. During the night the winds blew several straps off and I couldn't get them back over the load between the winds and no ladder I was pretty frustrated.

I got in touch with securement when they came in, no one told my DM so I sent him an explanation and pictures, securement got theirs the day before. The consensus was to ask them to rework the load and make it legal. The shipper didn't believe me on the height and we went out there and measured it, followed with "everyone else takes it, why can't you do it" and I finally told them to keep it. I kept a professional demeanor but I was angry. I won't lie about it.

I left there, went to the truck stop and sat several hours and received instruction to go back. I went back but my DM didn't have the pick up number. I sat several more hours and my DM sent me 110 miles to pick up the same product near Madera with a pickup time of 1800, it was 1400.

I gave it my best shot. I pulled my skateboard empty in the rain, through the pass, on a two lane highway in Holiday traffic, through towns and lights. I called the contact number for the shipper twice and left a detailed message when no one answered. I called the main number which said they close at 1700. I know that sometimes the shipping and receiving works different hours so I was still going to go.

I ended up in a long line of traffic at 1730 8 miles away. Google maps (used only for traffic) said the traffic was causing me to deal with a 22 minute slow down. Pilot was right there at the exit on my right so I took it. I emailed dispatch and told them the shipper was closed.

I'm frustrated.

Through past issues my DM doesn't seem to get it. when I pre-trip a trailer, and there is something wrong, we are going to get it fixed. It's my CDL, I work too hard to get here, I'm not getting a bad inspection. But he seems to want me to run with it. And then he gets upset when I can't make an appointment on time because I've got to go into the shop. Now I have this situation and I'm wondering what I'm going to have to deal with tomorrow morning. The load was supposed to be in Yuma tomorrow morning.

He thinks that I am the problem. That I need help with securement and probably won't make it in flat bedding. I didn't load this product... I told him that all the other Western drivers can do what they want to but I'm doing my job right because I care about my load and the motoring public.

he even said, no one else has a problem tarping this load but you. And I let him know that the shipper said that not a single one of our drivers pulls out of there with a tarp on those loads. The shipper said, do not tarp it. I personally do not like tarping, who does? But it is a part of the job and I will do it. But I can't do it if I or my tarps don't have a way up there.

So... As it stands right now I am the problem driver. I drive with consideration of what I'm hauling. I drive for conditions. I obey the laws and speed limits. I go in all of the scales. I don't haul @$$ with no consideration of anyone or anything except my paycheck. and I don't want to haul that load that's over 13-6 because what if I do hit a bridge? They aren't going to support me. That is going to be on me.

Advice?????

Fantastic read, very well done and relatable. If I may, I recommend you keep your CDL to have something to fall back on. I wish you the very best 😊

I'm sorry you're dealing with this situation.

My experience has been completely different. I've gotten allot of practice and I have no problem getting time in the truck. At the same time I'm assertive and I'll let someone know that it's my turn.

Don't let someone else dictate your practice time. Also go talk to Mr. Joe. He is there to make sure you succeed and he wants to know if there is an issue.

I'm in the new group here at MTC. Your diary is a fair assessment. I love Mr. Gary. And yes, allot of students are negative here but I personally think that's just the nature of spoiled people.

Good luck, I hope you're a one and done.

When you're exhausted and frustrated just remember why you're there and keep your eyes on the prize and you'll do just fine.

Thank you. That's the part I worry about. I want to be able to face it head on with a positive attitude. I don't want to fail.

It's been a long bus ride and it's not over yet. H*ll, it's been a long three months...

I let my company know I would be leaving back in August so they could find another driver for Delaware. They were not happy. Without getting into allot of detail I'll just say that they made my last few months really hard. But I stuck with it.

My MVR was borderline so when the rejections started coming in I was really disappointed. I can't tell you how much I've learned about this industry thanks to TT and my own blundering mistakes. I've had recruiters laugh at me over the phone because I'm older and I'm female. I've had friends from my church look at me like I've lost my mind. I've had texts and private Facebook messages behind me not to go. A guy I had just started seeing got me a job driving a dump truck because he wasn't supportive of me going OTR. I "dumped" him.

But, with the support of a few friends and of my entire family, I kept plugging away.

I studied here in TT and I got my permit, tanker, and doubles & triples, and finally a sponsorship from Covenant.

I arrive at the school this evening and orientation is Sunday. I'll be taking time to study for Hazmat while I'm there.

The long bus ride... My son had surgery the day before I left and my step mother passed in her sleep the morning I left. They want me to succeed and they want me to go anyway. It's hard and it feels selfish, but I'm doing it anyway.

I am determined to succeed and learn how to be the best driver I can be for the company while I'm there. They get my first year and I'm going to give it all I've got.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

I actually worked that account for a year back in the day and I'm telling you it's really tough. As a new driver it can be overwhelming because you're always on a tight schedule, the stores are often extremely difficult to get backed into, and the unloading is a lot of hard physical work.

The biggest problem for a new driver though is finding the stores and getting in and out safely. They're often in small plazas in extremely busy areas. A lot of the plazas are super tight and really not built for a nearly 70 foot truck in mind.

I would highly recommend avoiding that account right off the bat. Get 6 - 12 months of OTR experience first and then give it a shot if you like. You'll have a lot easier time of it once your backing skills have improved and you're better at getting around in really tight parking lots.

I've been talking to a recruiter at MTC school, she said US Xpress is looking at me. Is it possible to sign on with US Xpress and NOT take a Dollar account? Or is it one of those things that if they hire a driver you work what they give you?

Thanks for the info and for letting me dig up an old topic.