Update 3 Months Solo

It’s hard to believe it’s been 3 months already. Time flies when you’re having fun and learning new things. In that time I’ve been through many highs and lows. It seems that there is no such thing as normal in this world.

The Good

I’ve been on time or ahead of schedule and haven’t bumped into anything yet.

I’m gaining confidence in backing. Spots that would have been frustrating a couple month ago are more reasonable now. I’m still not good yet, but it’s getting better. For some reason angled spots still give me fits.

As I had hoped, my stress level is way, way down from my previous career. I really enjoy the driving time. Seeing the change of seasons has been nice. I always find something new to see even on the same roads I’ve run before.

Audible and Sirius XM have been good investments, but, I’ve had to learn to turn off the distractions when they become distracting.

I’ve learned about how to manage my clock more efficiently. Starting early isn’t always the answer. I usually like to start early, but, depending on appointment times. Sometimes it makes sense to start later so that you have time on your clock to keep rolling to the next appointment. Today I’ll be doing just that and will add an extra 170 miles to the day which in turn will let me run more miles tomorrow

It’s taken more time than I wanted, but I’m starting to get a reputation as the guy that’s always looking to keep running. My FM told me yesterday that I’m the only driver on her board that messages her regularly asking for earlier appointments and keeping her updated on ETA. She said the highlight of her day is poking the planners to help keep me moving. Eventually that might actually lead to more miles.

I’ve learned that there is a tremendous support staff available if you just ask. Route planning, fuel, customer service have all been responsive when I call for help.

I’m on target for a pretty nice increase at the end of the Quarter if I can keep my scorecard metrics up.

The Bad

I still get frustrated with the hurry up and wait aspects of the job. I had a 22 hour detention last week that almost had me ready to throw my keys. It seems like every time I get way ahead of schedule, something happens to get me right back to where I started.

I’m not staying as busy as I’d like. I’m getting a lot of loads that just have way too much time on them. I am starting to learn which ones will take me early and which ones will send me away. Most times I go early anyway and just wait it out. I figure there’s always a slim chance of getting a door early but a 0% chance if I sit at the truck stop watching Netflix. Funny story about that; I had a D&H scheduled this morning, I decided to see if they could load me last night. The load wasn’t ready and wouldn’t be because they didn’t have an empty available. So, I was able to drop my empty and pick it up loaded this morning. If I hadn’t tried early, I would have missed my delivery appointment because I’d still be waiting for them to load me.

The Ugly Though I haven’t gotten into serious trouble yet, I’ve had many many “pucker up” moments. Moments where I look in the mirror just in the nick of time before crunching my trailer into something by not turning wide enough, or on some of those city streets where you’re inches from a pole or curb.

I had to call local police to block traffic after missing a turn and then thinking I could turn around in a driveway that just wasn’t as big as it looked.

I’ve kissed a few curbs, and got to first base with a bollard one time, but, luckily, I’m so slow that I’ve been able to stop before there’s scuffed paint. 🤞

Nice update.

Brushed a bollard myself. No missing paint just pulled bungees off the rub rail.

I am glad that this career move has been a solid choice for you.

I can relate to a lot of what you said being im just creeping on my 6 months exp. Audible is almost like a desert I cherish when I have a good weekend run.

Stay safe and keep working hard. 👊