When To Know Its Time To Go.

So just start driving solo. It'll be a month now come Sat. Problem is I would rather start driving in the south to avoid mountains, passes & combo of snow & ice. I guess since I got my CDL in the Pacific Northwest, my DM or the company sends me to the areas that have mountains like MT, WY, ID, ETC. Should I change terminals since mine is based in Seattle to get to avoid some of these areas or just maybe leave the company all together. I know I'm new so I know I gotta take the loads less desirable & earn my way up the ladder so to speak but a baby has to crawl before walking. Just seems like to me they would keep me away from this until I get my feet wet. What's your thoughts on this? Please be honest!

I had some of the same concerns early on, but I live in the southeast. For a while I was going through WV mountains every day. One day east, next day back west to Ohio or Indiana. If you live in the northwest and that's where you're based, I would think that's the general area you're going to run through.

If you're with a national company, certainly they may have opportunities in other parts of the country, but you usually have to have a little time to transfer. However, if their need is great enough, they might be willing to do it.

On the bright side, you'll go into winter knowing how to handle the mountains better than most.

Good luck!

Everyone wants to run in the South to avoid everything you mentioned. Unfortunately, if the only region you run is the South then you're restricting your length of haul tremendously. As you know, you must do your time to get the gravy runs. You're still "doing your time" and will be for many more months from now, but going to a different company won't change things - it'll just force you to start all over once again.

You've already gotten your feet wet, thats what training is for. You're now a solo driver who can do the job well and doesn't need a hand holding. There is no nurturing process, they throw you right in.

Listen, what you're going through is totally normal. But there's a few things I want to reach out to you about.

First, you're stressed badly. You may not realize it but youre worrying about everything. Relax, instead of stressing about Idaho why not relax and enjoy the beauty? Spend more time everyday for yourself; walking works wonders as does stretching.

Secondly, every driver goes through what you're going through. Don't doubt yourself, dont doubt your skills, respect the mountain but don't fear it. There's a million people who would love to be in your shoes (including my student) so enjoy where you are in life and don't think that your current company is doing wrong to you.

Also, ya know, the South isn't perfect. When it rains there it can be the most dangerous place in the world. Not to mention the traffic in some of those cities. I would rather be cruising along on I80 in Wyoming rather than being in stop and go traffic in humid Houston.

I personally think you have it good, very good! Usually people are upset that they're constantly "stuck" in the Northeast but youre primarily out West. The grass certainly isn't greener on the other side, you just have to learn to enjoy your blessings.

Well, I hate to bust your bubble. Daniel is right, I can count on both hands how many times I have been out west, before and after driving for the company I'm with now. The snow and ice on the flats is just as dangerous if not more coming across Ohio, Indiana, NY, PA, IL and the lake effect, but I enjoy driving on it, guess I'm just weird. The reason I say more dangerous is out west you expect there to be snow, ice what have ya.

But on my way home I had to run I-64 it was cold, windy and I slowed down because of the wind, but I went over the over pass started up a little hill and my tach was slowly climbing but I was not speeding up. I was wanting to go home and was being lazy, many a times out east in PA I would be spinning going up some of the hills.

I don't put this stuff down to be like oh he did that, or what ever. It's just yes, I realize the mountains are nothing to play with especially on the east coast and it's no fun when there is snow and ice involved and there are times coming down them are far worse. It's just when drivers are saying "ah it'll be alright driver" and then there's a jack knife moving at 55 mph on the interstate.

Most importantly, relax, and if you get to the point where you start to feel uncomfortable or an over whelming feeling shut it down, walk clear your mind, talk with dispatch, what ever you have to do and then start all over again. It's been awhile for me and don't really know how drivers are on the radio anymore, I know back then most would help someone out with situations like that, but that could be bad advice on my part being I don't have a radio hooked up yet.

Leaving the company after a month though I wouldn't recommend, talk to people first, the next company could be doing the same thing. But learn it, and if nothing else if you have to chain up ask another driver there to walk you along, heck I had to ask someone how to put the chains on and then when they asked if I had bungy cords, the next question was what for?

If you are already dealing with the mountains, snow, wind, ice. Your already on your way to getting through your first winter and next year you can help someone through there first.

Ok I'll ask, when chaining your tires what were the bungy cords for? I from San Diego, snow is a mystery to me.

Ivory: Don't quit... Give it some time.

When I drove from 1981 - 1987 (seven full years, even though it looks like six), I was scared to death when I got my first load from Pittsburgh to Richland, Washington, in January, while it was snowing, and I needed to chain the tractor and the trailer to cross U.S. 12. Afterwards, the PNW was the only place I wanted to run.

Since then, I have watched the entire Eastern Seaboard grow to the point that I can't wait to get away from it when I resume my trucking career.

Once you're seasoned, I think you'll look back on these times as a learning experience.

Good luck to you, and stay safe.

Steve

They take out the slack, but I have seen people driving with them(bungy cords on)and still the chains look like there gonna fly off the tire. Put them on in a cross pattern.

Good to know. Thanks. That's what I love about this forum, I keep learning things I wouldn't even have known to ask.

Thanks guys! I do enjoy the scenery but just wanna take this with baby steps. At least I can say they do make sure the roads are clear for the most part. Do matter what season hopefully they'll send me out east. At least I can visit family & friends along the way.