First Solo Run

Got my first run tomorrow. A short 96 mile run and hopefully that will lead ton a bigger run afterwards. To be honest, after sitting this whole weekend, I feel like crap. I am scared and I almost want to quit.

I knew the first year is tough, however I didn't think I would feel like this right away, but no matter how I feel, I will drive this truck safely and do the task at hand. I guess I just need to relax. And just take it one day at a time.

I went to training in PA (this was just back in Feb,), then they gave me the key to my truck and told me where to find it in a drop yard in Massachusetts. I went and cleaned it out, spent the night in it, then was ready to go at 5AM, but didn't get an assignment until 1PM. So I sat there all morning getting nervous, and when it was time to go I hit the road. It was my first time driving unsupervised, and I couldn't help wondering "am I really supposed to be doing this"? I still think that sometimes when I start out in the morning.

I'm sure you'll do fine. For like the first month I would show up everywhere saying "I just started and I don't know what I'm doing", and most everyone was friendly and helpful.

Devan, you have already done the things you need to do tomorrow.

Pre- trip? Check Get your dispatch? Already! Drive a tractor-trailer combination? Check ... in traffic, with turns and ask that? Check Backing into a spot? You betcha! Work the Qualcomm? Check Get your bills? Too easy

The only difference is your mentor isn't there to what? Bail you out?

Devan, you have spent about two months to do what you are going to do tomorrow!

Devan. You CAN do this. You handled all of the pressure in School. Learned the basics from your Mentor. It's just that instinctive fight or flight that God put in every Human. A year from now you will look back at Today and Smile. Go Get Em'

😇😈 Take your pick!

I went to training in PA (this was just back in Feb,), then they gave me the key to my truck and told me where to find it in a drop yard in Massachusetts. I went and cleaned it out, spent the night in it, then was ready to go at 5AM, but didn't get an assignment until 1PM. So I sat there all morning getting nervous, and when it was time to go I hit the road. It was my first time driving unsupervised, and I couldn't help wondering "am I really supposed to be doing this"? I still think that sometimes when I start out in the morning.

I'm sure you'll do fine. For like the first month I would show up everywhere saying "I just started and I don't know what I'm doing", and most everyone was friendly and helpful.

Thanks bud. Hope all is going well!

Devan, you have already done the things you need to do tomorrow.

Pre- trip? Check Get your dispatch? Already! Drive a tractor-trailer combination? Check ... in traffic, with turns and ask that? Check Backing into a spot? You betcha! Work the Qualcomm? Check Get your bills? Too easy

The only difference is your mentor isn't there to what? Bail you out?

Devan, you have spent about two months to do what you are going to do tomorrow!

Thanks for the pep talk. I have what it takes and need to stop doubting myself. Errol thanks for all the help and positive vibes you bring. Hope to meet you some day in the Memphis terminal!

Devan. You CAN do this. You handled all of the pressure in School. Learned the basics from your Mentor. It's just that instinctive fight or flight that God put in every Human. A year from now you will look back at Today and Smile. Go Get Em'

😇😈 Take your pick!

You are right tractor man. Went through to much alredy. Hope that orientation is going well for you!

One of the things about OTR trucking is the "alone-ness". "First day" in an office, factory, or warehouse there are people around you. Co-workers or bosses, you aren't alone.

But in your truck, it's you, your dispatch and some pieces of big machinery. And at some warehouses you really are alone. Or worse, another truck, with its driver sitting there waiting for you to get out of the way.

Enjoy, Devan, enjoy!

Devan you will be fine. I went through the same thing. Have been solo for 4 weeks now and it is going great. I actually surprised myself on how much I remembered from training. I thought I forgot everything but when it was time to do it I remembered almost all of it. Just take a deep breathe and take it slow. Double check you sent all your load messages right if you have e logs and you will get through it. Good luck. Keep us posted on your first run solo

Or even worse, the jerk that sits there and videos the Swiftie and laughs at every pull-up and mistake you make, then has the nerve to post it on YouTube.

These type of people make me so mad. And if I ever see someone doing that to me, or anyone else for that matter, they will be buying a new phone because I "accidentally" ran theirs over with my truck!!

Not trying to make you more nervous Devan! You are gonna do great! You got some of the best training in the industry and you are as prepared as you can possibly be.

Good luck!