Always Nice To Know You're Appreciated

Yesterday while I was at home I received a phone call from my manager. He was calling me to thank me for the great job I've been doing, and how they're impressed with what I've accomplished in such a small time. They have had a difficult time finding safe, productive drivers that are willing to unload their trailer.

Before I was hired they had sent numerous guys to school to get their CDL and they either quit shortly after seeing how physical the job is, or were involved in several backing accidents that they were forced to send them to the warehouse or have them resign due to insurance company not covering them.

There was 1 guy that had 3 accidents in 4 months. He hit the restaurant owners car of one place he was delivering, didn't check mirror before moving over causing a car to get run off the road into a tree, and the last straw was hitting a 11'5 bridge in Davenport on US 61.

Now I'm not a person that needs to constantly be told good job, or have someone holding my hand...but I've got to tell you it felt great hearing it. When I saw that my company was calling I figured I was in trouble as unfortunately they're very busy and that's typically only time I hear from anyone is when I mess up. That's not intended to be an insult on my management team, but they've got 150 drivers they're responsible for and only have 4 people out there. They're very responsive to anything I need and I feel part of a team which is important.

Best part about the phone call is due to my performance, and willing to be a team player they bumped my pay up 80 cents an hr immediately, and when the annual increase (union contract) kicks in April 1st I'll receive another 80 cents to get me to top pay 4 months before originally planned. Makes me even happier to have (unconventionally) started my career with this company :)

Rob, I've been following along in your diary, and it seems like you have really stepped up and done a great job over there. Congratulations on all you've accomplished. You are definitely in a minority group, as you can see by what has happened to the other drivers on that account. I would like to think that we had some positive influence on you and your ability to adapt, and if we have it is really encouraging. I sometimes feel we are fighting a never ending battle when it comes to correcting so much of the misinformation on the web concerning this career. It usually feels like we are bringing a bucket of water to a house fire that has already engulfed the whole structure. You get a big thumbs up from me! So far you have managed to keep yourself out of trouble in a job where there is new trouble around each corner you take.

Everybody here knows I am not a fan of starting out as a delivery driver like you did, but you have taken care and done really well so far. Keep up the good work, and keep your eyes on those mirrors!

Old school, you guys have definitely prepared me for this job and you guys hit it right on about the risks to ones driving career with what typically goes wrong when people start out this way. I attribute my success to having spent so much time on this forum before getting started...a little over 2 years I believe....and hearing the horror stories that other drivers have suffered due to being in a rush. It is so easy in this type of job to get stressed and lose control of your emotions and become careless. When I fall behind due to traffic, or unloading the only way to catch back up is work smarter and hustle more in the unload process. There's really no way to get ahead while driving while remaining a safe driver. The main reason I started my diary is many people looking to begin their career The way I did can mainly only go off what drivers who haven't done the job say about it. Although you guys were spot on i felt showing first hand experience, along with some pictures, would allow those interested to get a much better picture. For my success thus far I attribute it to this wonderful community, the 12 weeks hands on training, and the other major factor is the market I'm in. Des Moines area really isn't big at all when compared to many other metropolitan areas. Don't get me wrong, I can never let my guard down, but it's much easier navigating this area than say...chicago or Atlanta. When I was being sent to Omaha that was even nerve racking with the amount of traffic in comparison.

I thank you all for how you've helped me be successful

Old School was very thorough & right on the money with his response. I’m very happy for you & all you’ve accomplished. Continued success & safe miles ahead Rob!! Congratulations!!

Great job Rob! Happy for you!

I read your diary most every day. You ARE doing a great job!

Where is this Diary you all keep talking about?

Jason, it's in the CDL Training Diaries section.

Here's a direct link to Rob's Diary.

Oh, Boy. Thanks Old School. I wouldn't have been posting new topics so constantly if I would have saw this. Awesome, thanks again.

Just wanted to give a quick shout out to some of the members here who have provided information that has allowed me to succeed this far.

Brett - creating this friendly forum where hate and misinformation isn't tolerated, and everybody is made to feel welcome. Also your podcasts, although many of the things discussed do not directly impact my path, I still have taken some things away from it.

Old school - always talking about being a professional, and doing what it takes to "git er done", as well as being the "go to guy "

G-town - WATCH THAT WAGON! Also when Victor was around and you kept stressing how he needed to own his training. If something wasn't working to do something about it. The guy I started training with for the first 6 weeks was really nit picky, and things had to be exactly his way. I talked to my manager after reading alot of your conversations with Victor and he had me switch it up and switch off between the other drivers.

Rainy - don't take no crap! If someone's being a dillhole set the parking brakes and show them whose the boss

Errol - your backing practice exercises have been awesome at making me think. I can also say I learned not to get caught on drive cam eating OREOS. Instead I got recorded the other day finishing up a slice of pizza (darn potholes ).

To everybody else, I am thankful that you ask questions because many things brought up are things I've never thought about.