Challenges make the job exciting. I think after you get through the initial Terror of driving solo and getting to know your vehicle you look forward to getting tested. I'm in Maryland right now and there's not a whole heck of a lot of parking available. I just remember my first few months on the road on how I was so terrified of not being able to find a spot to park for the night. Dallas also has its shortage of parking. But as you find your way you know where you can park and by what time you need to get there to get a spot. It's all about planning your time, getting to your destination and then being able to find a spot for the night if you have to. Dallas rush hour can be brutal. Very seldom do you travel without an accident to deal with time wise. Did you get to drive on any of the Jetson ramps? That's what I call the on and off ramps that seemed to go up into the clouds. My first solo load it to Dallas was during rush hour and I had a manual for my for my first truck and killed the truck going up one of those ramps because the traffic was at a standstill. Talk about freaking out... but I figured it out. I just look back and laugh at those times.
In my book, embracing challenges and approaching life on the road as one giant adventure is one of the key traits a person must have if they're going to thrive in trucking.
Most people seem to be out for a simple paycheck. They just want to get through their workday as quickly and effortlessly as possible and be done with it. That's why truckers are such famous complainers. Trucking is far more than just an ordinary job. It's an extraordinary job for extraordinary people. Unfortunately trucking doesn't attract very many extraordinary people.
If you thrive on challenging yourself and you continue to see trucking as an adventure you will have many, many happy years out there. I drove for 15 years and absolutely loved it. It never gets easy. Every single day has its own unique challenges and circumstances. You never know what the world is going to throw at you.
I'm glad you're embracing the adventure. I wish more people would. You're going to enjoy the heck out of life on the road. The nice thing is that the better you get at it the more fun it becomes.
I think it adds to the excitement and adventure of something new and different each time, too. Personally, I don’t think I could enjoy having a dedicated route , or doing line haul , continuously for an extended period.
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.Donna...I can honestly say it’s yet to get old for me.
Although I am not OTR , the challenges, personal interaction with store personnel and basic variety I experience on the NE Regional Dedicated Walmart Account continue to deliver high levels of job satisfaction and enjoyment.
If ever I need to go beyond my current territory, I can request switching to OTR or a different Dedicated Account. One of the greatest advantages of working for a mega-carrier is the limitless opportunities available to a top-performing driver.
Good luck and Safe Travels!
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 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.
Donna...I can honestly say it’s yet to get old for me.
Although I am not OTR , the challenges, personal interaction with store personnel and basic variety I experience on the NE Regional Dedicated Walmart Account continue to deliver high levels of job satisfaction and enjoyment.
If ever I need to go beyond my current territory, I can request switching to OTR or a different Dedicated Account. One of the greatest advantages of working for a mega-carrier is the limitless opportunities available to a top-performing driver.
Good luck and Safe Travels!
I bet its nice to have a dedicated route you probably know the recieving guys and gals on a first name basis. As OTR i seem to always have wierd akward conversations at shipers/recievers usually leading into an even more akward joke i try to break the tension which fails miserably and the shove my paperwork at me and give me a dock number and i hang my head in shame as i skulk back to the truck.
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
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 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.
Noob_Student wrote:
I bet its nice to have a dedicated route you probably know the recieving guys and gals on a first name basis.
True. I’d say about half the stores, all of the Sams, and many of the vendors we backhaul from know me and I know them. Treat them with respect, dignity and usually it’s reciprocated.
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Donna, I admire what you are doing and how you are doing it. As for the "weird" part, many people are surprised to see a female driving a semi. I still do a double take when I see a woman get out of her truck. Especially if she looks too small to handle such demanding physical work. But I also have to smile at the same time. Kudos to all you ladies out there, you have my respect. You are not weird. You are exceptional.
As for Mr. Noob, don't worry about the art of good natured banter. It comes with time. That's one advantage of being old and getting to use the senior citizen card. It's the best card in the deck!
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Yesterday after being home for four days. I let dispatch know I was ready go. Got sent to Atlanta to pick up a load from Walmart’s drop yard so had to make my way through Atlanta traffic at 17:00. Today I was making it through Dallas traffic at 17:00. This is the first time I’ve been in Texas solo. I just get such a thrill out of going to different places and the tighter the appointment time the better. Is this just a rookie thing or am I just weird?