6 Months Solo

Topic 16929 | Page 1

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Gladhand's Comment
member avatar

It feels pretty awesome that I have made it this far, but at the same time I am not really enjoying truck driving as much as I did. I find myself not wanting to drive more and more, which is quite surprising because I never have dreaded having to drive. I guess this is another wall that I'm hitting now after being out here living this way for a total of 7 months.

This job is tough and I'm starting to feel it. All work and no play is starting to take its toll, especially not having enough days off. I realize though, that part of the reason that I am not enjoying myself as much is because I been putting all of my money on paying off my debts and trying not to spend much on anything else. A 40 hr work week seems like a vacation now.

I wish if I would have had my usual cheery side for this update, but I always stay honest with what I actually feel. I am dedicated to finishing this contract and being accident free for a year regardless and hope things will get better again. Just have to take it one mile at a time.

Isaac H.'s Comment
member avatar

Yeah, someone told me you'll knowif trucking is right for you after 3 years.

I have a dog and that helps a lot. I've driven a few weeks without her and all i did was lock myself in the truck and it sucked.

Congrats on 6months hopefully things will turn around.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Kramer's Comment
member avatar

Hang in there Gladhand! Your gaining experience and accomplishing goals, both of which will provide you with many more options in the very near future.

I feel your exhaustion from the long weeks and months of long working hours. When there was still work to be found in the construction industry, I would be working 6 and 7 days a week & 10 to 12 hours a day, from mid March until late October. And then spend most of the Winter catching up on my sleep!

The peace of mind and fiscal comfort (pun intended) that you'll have once you're debt free is worth the effort and pain that your currently working through - STAY THE COURSE! - Everything that your doing now is an investment in yourself and the payout will be worth it (if, for no other reason then the fact that you are worth it).

We are all pulling for you.

Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

Hang in there man! Burnout is a big problem, especially for drivers in their first year. I think I remember mentioning to you one time before that you have to find some fun things to do when you get the opportunity. Go to an NFL game, hit a concert, run around Vegas or New Orleans if you get the chance - find some fun things to do.

Listen, the debt thing is important but it's easy to get too fixated on it. You're not going to win any contests or suddenly discover complete financial freedoms because you're debts are paid off. You can still pay down your debts, buy yourself some stuff, and have some fun at the same time. If you make this whole thing a grind it's going to wear you out. So find a balance between paying down debt and having fun out there. You're a young dude.......don't sweat the debt thing so much.

Pianoman's Comment
member avatar

Sorry you aren't enjoying it that much right now! Do you still enjoy the actual driving?

All the other stuff can be worked out. Obviously, you don't have to do this for a living if you don't want to. But if you still enjoy the actual driving, the other stuff is just logistics that you learn to work out. Like having more days off. I've learned that I can't function properly when I work 70 hours every week. So sometimes I do a couple 2000 mile weeks followed by a couple 3000+ mile weeks. Keeps my averages up but gives me lots of free time on my slow weeks. I've learned I prefer running recaps when I'm keeping my 70 close to zero because it forces a little extra time into my loads. I like taking more than 10 hours off per day so that's better for me, but I can still get tons of miles if I want. Have you tried running super hard for several days and then taking 2.5 days off instead of the almost 1.5 (34 hours)? That might work better for you.

You're gonna kill me, but I still think you should try dedicated. Maybe not Miller Coors (although my DM said you're still welcome if you change your mind), but maybe a different one that runs in the area you want. I can try all the suggestions I just gave you because no matter what, I'm always planned in advance. I have almost complete control over my schedule. Unfortunately you're still at the mercy of whatever loads you're given. It's hard to enjoy your time off when you're worrying about getting your next load. Sorry man, I suck. I told you I was gonna stop beating you over the head with this, but I'm hopeless.

Either way, I agree with Brett. You'll be happier and probably even more productive if you budget a little more time and money for yourself. That's a personal choice you can make regardless of what you do for a living. Maybe try going home more often? Just a suggestion. I just noticed I'm alot happier since I've started seeing my family more. I haven't taken actual hometime in months. I just stop by the house for the night every few days or so.

Anyhow, good luck man!

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Steve L.'s Comment
member avatar

Gladhand, please treat yourself to something special! Paying off debt will set you free, but sometimes a little splurge here and there can boost your spirits.

I recommend one treat per quarter. I love the beach so when I'm home, I try to go even if I just sit on the beach for two hours.

We need your positivity back! We KNOW you can bounce back. We're pulling for ya!

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

6 string rhythm's Comment
member avatar

Yeah, someone told me you'll knowif trucking is right for you after 3 years.

3 years seems like a rather extensive and arbitrary number for making an observation, especially if early on you are increasingly becoming aware that driving might not be your bag.

Then again, sometimes it's not the driving itself, but the particular driving job that doesn't suit. OTR isn't for everyone.

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.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Gladhand's Comment
member avatar

Thanks for the replies everyone. Because of where I live otr is the only option. If I changed it to something else I would have to move and I am being cheap so I don't want rent haha. I definitely need to do something for myself, my mind just won't let me. It's something I need to change. Also Paul thanks for your concerns man, I'm not necessarily worried about loads anymore, I am just tired. This is the hardest work I have ever had to do in my life and matched with barely starting my adult life, it makes it more stressful. I was feeling bad for myself, but I feel better now. We'll if you excuse me I got to get to Los Angeles.

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.

Jonathan T.'s Comment
member avatar

I saw someone mention dedicated, I say give it a shot. I'm running dedicated now and although it's out of NY and I live in VA it is nice to live a somewhat normal life. I joined the gym up here, try to attend all of the community activities that I can and am trying to meet folks in the area to make it feel more like a home to me. It's a different lifestyle from OTR that you may want to try.

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.

Sambo's Comment
member avatar

It's noble, especially at your age, that you are working to be debt free. Most young people don't think like that. Being debt free offers a huge freedom, one that the majority of people never get to feel.

Once you have achieved that goal, you will be rewarded. Just learn to take a little for yourself every now and then. Enough to keep you focused. If you grind all the time and never actually treat yourself, you start to lose focus on why you are grinding in the first place.

As others have said, find things you like to do along the way. Take time for yourself. If there is a particular thing you want to do, get with your dm and see if they can route you there and request a day off or a 34, then enjoy yourself.

Be proud of your accomplishments and all that you have done. You are miles ahead of most young folks who are more worried about having fun and less about work. You have your priorities right, now just learn to work a little fun into them and you'll be set.

Also, work on getting your mind right. Mental preparation can go a long way to making this career more pleasant.

One thing I like to do is to not think of a load in its entirety. Looking at an 1800 mile load can be daunting. I like to think of it day by day. Just as in any other job, you would have to show up each day and do the same old grind day in day out. No difference here, except you get to see a lot of cool things every day, and not be stuck in one place.

Also, if you don't have one, get xm radio. There is a wide variety of programming, but learn to change it up. If you are the heavy metal type, change it up. Listening to that hard music all day can be fatiguing and can start to frazzle your nerves.

I like to listen to political talk, road dog trucking, country, 80s and 90s rock, but I also like classical and other instrumental music. It can be very soothing and relaxing, especially at the end of the day when you are trying to wind down.

When you are shut down each night, get out of the truck. Go walking and get exercise, go into the truck stop and look around. If they have a drivers lounge grab a drink and go sit down. Some of these truck stops have theater type rooms where they play movies or have sports on. A good way to take an hour or so and let your mind get away from your job, and to just get away from the truck. If there is a theater nearby and you have time, catch that movie you've been wanting to see. Grab some popcorn, and a Coke and go watch it.

Mostly, however, is to wake up each day and look forward to the day. If you wake up and start dreading going to work, that will compound itself ever day to where you get to the point of burnout. Instead, just try to keep a positive mental attitude and focus on good things.

Also, remember, out here, you are by yourself a lot. Sometimes it can seem like you are in a whole other world. Isolated and disconnected from everything. Dont ever feel trapped by the truck. This can be a permanent career, or it can be temporary. At any point in time, you can decide that you don't want this any more and can venture into a new career. You are in control. Knowing this can be liberating, because it let's you know that if enough becomes enough, you have the power to change it.

Be proud of what you do. It is often a thankless job. People who live normal lives can never appreciate what a driver goes through every day. Just keep it in your mind that you are a part of a team. Even though we have different logos on the sides of our trucks, we are all on the same team. We move the nation's economy. The products on your truck will soon be in the homes of customers tomorrow. I think it's like 75% of all goods that are in people's homes are brought by a truck. Without us, the nation would come to a stand still.

You are an important part of this country's economy.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

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