How Long?
Topic 14652 | Page 2
I'm starting my 6th solo month. There are still some days where I question if this career is really for me. I try to keep a positive attitude and think about future goals.
Devan, in my My First Week Adventure As A Swift Driver, I posted 11 "problems". Now none of them repeated, meaning I learned from each one.
The best part is my conclusion on page 3, where I talk to Grasshopper.
I worked at the post office for 18 years and it was sooo horrible and we were so micromanaged that this feels like a paid vacation. I eat when I want shower when I want... watch movies we. I want... gave up my $1200 a month apartment so that headache is gone. Now thw biggest issue is deciding where to park and where I have shower points.
After 4 mos solo... the backing is still sometimes frustrating but I'm getting much much better thanks to errol ; )
Everyone's different. I'm a control freak so this job is great for me. No one bothers me but the other truckers when. I'm backing and I just hit the brakes and stay in their way until they back off from me to give me room.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
I worked at the post office for 18 years and it was sooo horrible and we were so micromanaged that this feels like a paid vacation. I eat when I want shower when I want... watch movies we. I want... gave up my $1200 a month apartment so that headache is gone. Now thw biggest issue is deciding where to park and where I have shower points.
After 4 mos solo... the backing is still sometimes frustrating but I'm getting much much better thanks to errol ; )
Everyone's different. I'm a control freak so this job is great for me. No one bothers me but the other truckers when. I'm backing and I just hit the brakes and stay in their way until they back off from me to give me room.
Very true. That is a good way to look at it, I struggle at backing, but it's just part of being a rookie. I was a cashier before and it is nice not having to deal with people like I did before.
The hard part so far is working everyday and not being able to be home at night. It is a hard adjustment but I know I will be ok. I am 8 days in and still alive!
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Hang in there. At the po we worked 12 hr days... it took me 6 years to get xmas off and after 18 yrs I was still forced thanksgiving and new years. In training I got all of them off!!!! Haha.. and I've been told prime will let me decide which holiday to work and which to take off.... xmas or thanksgiving.
I never felt like I was hime anyway.. sleep all day.. wake at 6pm... work by 730pm... get off at 630 am.. shower eat repeat. So not much different.
Except... I felt like I was in prison ...barbed wire.. fences.. gates.. no windows. Now I'm free!!!! Open air and great scenery.
Don't you feel like the chain has released you from that register???
Hang in there. At the po we worked 12 hr days... it took me 6 years to get xmas off and after 18 yrs I was still forced thanksgiving and new years. In training I got all of them off!!!! Haha.. and I've been told prime will let me decide which holiday to work and which to take off.... xmas or thanksgiving.
I never felt like I was hime anyway.. sleep all day.. wake at 6pm... work by 730pm... get off at 630 am.. shower eat repeat. So not much different.
Except... I felt like I was in prison ...barbed wire.. fences.. gates.. no windows. Now I'm free!!!! Open air and great scenery.
Don't you feel like the chain has released you from that register???
Definitely I hated being stuck to a small section of a truck stop for 8 hrs. Dwelling about how life is terrible, etc, but now even on a hard day I feel ok once I got to sleep and dwell on it less. It's a mixture of becoming a man, (I am 21 so I been relying on my parents for too long). Freedom is a beautiful and terrifying thing. Thanks for the words of support. Reminds me how much better off I am.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Becoming A Truck Driver CDL Qualifications CDL Test Preparation First Solo Months On The Road
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Yeah, I had problems early on with being late (based on my own etas). In training I aced the trip planning course, the final exam had bonus points and they gave us 2 hours to do it, and I was done in like 20 minutes and got a 106. But I quickly learned that it didn't work in real life. We were taught to use 50mph, but as soon as you get off the interstate it doesn't work (and the qualcomm gps likes to send you off the interstate to save a few miles). I think it might work better for otr , but I'm regional so the trips are shorter. Anyway, I'm still learning how to get my etas better. One thing was looking at the gps route ahead of time and not following it if it sends me a stupid way.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated