When Favors Are Re Paid.

This last month has been rough. A family emergency, and then doing favors for my fleet manager dropped my average miles below 3,000. It also effected my paycheck.

Coming back from my extended hometime, I mentioned that I needed to burn some pavement, but was asked if I could cover a route run by one of our day cabbers. I said sure, without asking the routes. It was a Chicagoland area shuttle run. I ran loaded trailers from Joliet, IL into Chicago, Aurora, Gary, Burbank, East Chicago, and Romeoville. I was finally pre-planned to grab a load from Libertyville, to Kearney, NE. But my final run into chicago took 6 hours to unload, and ruined my chances to make the first stop on time, but still being able to make my final on time. I told my FM about the dilemma, and then he had me split drop the trailer, and come in for an A service. The A service turned into a 34 hr reset due to additional issues that were found. I ended up with 1,600 miles that week. He told me he would make it up to me. And boy, did he! I am at the Walmart DC in Colton, CA (Grand Terrace) and then pick up in Chino, for a load to Sparta, WI.

Actual paid miles for this week will be 3,834. He has hinted that next week will be just as rewarding, as he is cashing in all the favors I have done for him. I was told by the night dispatch that I was one of my FM's favorite drivers, because he never has to worry about me.

I LOVE this job! But, it really isn't a job, at least to me. It truly is a very unique lifestyle, and I get paid for it!

I'm really glad to see you're doing so well, and especially glad the enjoyment factor is part of the rewards you enjoy!

You and Turtle both show evidence of one of my theories concerning this career. I'm convinced that a person who has had to make a living being self employed can more easily grasp the concepts for success at trucking. The ideas are very similar.

I'm really glad to see you're doing so well, and especially glad the enjoyment factor is part of the rewards you enjoy!

You and Turtle both show evidence of one of my theories concerning this career. I'm convinced that a person who has had to make a living being self employed can more easily grasp the concepts for success at trucking. The ideas are very similar.

Thanks Old School. I still get befuddled by the clock sometime. I know I can run it better, but the split sleeper still gives me pause. I have only used it once, so far. I am hesitant, because I don't want to use it, and screw myself up on my next preplan. One step at a time. I am still crawling, and I will have plenty of time to learn it as I start walking.

Great job Daniel. You have come a very long way from when you first started posting to the forum.

One comment on what Old School wrote:

You and Turtle both show evidence of one of my theories concerning this career. I'm convinced that a person who has had to make a living being self employed can more easily grasp the concepts for success at trucking. The ideas are very similar.

With freedom comes much responsibility. We have a lot of freedom on this job and are almost entirely responsible for own success. Of everything a new driver faces, this is the one thing that takes many by surprise. No one is standing over us, telling us what to do or when to do it. Take liberties with time management, details and procedure? Your probability for success diminishes two-fold.