Bunch Of Misc Questions From A Chronic Overthinker

I’ve posted twice in relation to mileage/switching. The first at 6 months about low mileage and the second at 9 for more or less the same and thinking about local work.

I’m in my mid 20s with family and I’m sure it’s different for everyone. But this thought came up in my mind at least once a month for awhile but went away recently. I’m with my first company now for 15 months and I’m very happy where I’m at.

Feelings really ebbed and flowed about many details but it’s evened out. A lot of getting used to things and my attitudes shifting about being a driver. I enjoy what my company offers and it’s a perfect fit. Friends with dispatch and can call any of them. Short haul mostly deep south doing paper runs to stores/dc. Being in the countryside a ton. Generally 5on/2off always weekends. It would be nice to make more (and it varies depending on our broker), but I do pretty good for a stress-free job.

I read of folks like two sides and others who seemed to have jumped right in, maybe to tough weather and or difficult paths. I by comparison tried to take a very cautious and careful approach, taking baby steps with nothing too difficult rather very slowly increase difficulty.

Honestly Davy I did not expect to be thrown in the fire like I was. It is very difficult for me right now with my situation. I'm frustrated, stressed and feeling lost at times. I think being careful and cautious in this career is what you need to do. Driving these monsters are no joke, no matter what you are hauling.

I don't believe you short changed yourself on experience. I believe you are doing the best thing necessary for you to gain the maximum experience. I wouldn't call it baby steps either. For example, you have to go through grade school to middle school to high school right? Did you jump right in and learn the drums? You are a good drummer so how did you get to that point? Step by step and each step you take prepares you for the next level.

If the time comes and you feel you need to graduate then do so bro, take on more miles, do the more difficult loads if you feel you are up to it. Ask yourself what type of driver you want to be and what is necessary to become that. If you are satisfied with where you are and what you do, that's all good my man. If you feel you want to challenge yourself then go for it...

I also look at other companies and think what it would be like working for them. I look at the drivers and wonder how much training did they receive. A lot of thoughts run through my head as well, I too am an over thinker lol. But I know I am exactly where I need to be right now. The adversity I'm facing is a learning experience. One day it will pay off. Learn the skill, practice it, master it, then move up.

Stay safe out there Davy, oh and I have listened to your tunes and they are awesome. Had it on repeat a couple weeks ago from Detroit to Cressona in PA. I have your songs in my Playlist rotation on the road. Good stuff...

Thank you, definitely glad you like the music. Watching you keep at it through the adversity and lack of training being provided is an inspiration to me. I really respect you for muscling through it. It bums me out a bit that knight wasn't able to provide more training, but I think you have great resources here. Likewise stay safe and enjoy the wild ride.

I may have missed something while reading through this thread. Sorry if I did.

I'm curious about what you meant when you wondered if you should be taking more difficult loads. Do you get to choose your loads? Or are you referring to switching from a regional type position to a more OTR type of position.

Either way I personally like to challenge myself when things feel a little stale. As long as you have the option to go back to doing what you were doing if you don't like the new thing you try, my opinion would be to recommend looking for something more challenging with your current company.

This is a great topic by the way. It describes a lot of the choices we have to consider as drivers.

I have been here at prime for more than 6 years but I have considered leaving. In 2017, I considered driving my friends truck for fedex. I looked at Marten who advertised a position that appealed to me. Back in August when my mom passed, I figured it was a good time to make a move if I was going to. I no longer had a truck and since I was off, I could start whenever I wanted.

After making some calls and being offered one job on the phone (one recruiter said he recognized my voice from Youtube and would hire.me on the spot. I only needed to provide my W2 as proof for his boss. Said he wouldn't even call Prime), I decided against it

Ignorance is sometimes bliss. If i went to another company, I would be comparing the new place with prime constantly. Then if I went back. I would be criticizing prime for what good things the other company did.

One Prime driver I know who was former law enforcement, took a "better job". When he realized he had arrested several of the other drivers at that company.... He high tailed it back to Prime a week later.

After years of on time delivery and safe driving, I feel.like royalty at Prime. Leaving would mean starting over. Plus, there are so many opportunities here, if I want to switch to regional , decorated, teaming, training, solo... Even local intermodal , I have options. I could switch divisions or even eventually go in house and come out of driving completely.

Those who always count the negatives rarely appreciate what they have. If you are happy. Be happy.

I may have missed something while reading through this thread. Sorry if I did.

I'm curious about what you meant when you wondered if you should be taking more difficult loads. Do you get to choose your loads? Or are you referring to switching from a regional type position to a more OTR type of position.

Either way I personally like to challenge myself when things feel a little stale. As long as you have the option to go back to doing what you were doing if you don't like the new thing you try, my opinion would be to recommend looking for something more challenging with your current company.

This is a great topic by the way. It describes a lot of the choices we have to consider as drivers.

Not so much choosing difficult loads, but I could certainly run our mountain loads and wind loads more than I do. I just don't like doing it. We have a ton of loads that are light in Wyoming and SD. A lot of smaller weird docks and customers. I don't mind the difficult backs because I learn a lot and it's interesting and I can run in winds, but I'll usually shut down if I'm light, I don't consider it worth the risk. I really don't have much experience in the mountains with snow, but most of the time I don't really want to drive in it anyway. But there's a part of me that thinks I should if that makes sense

I don't mind the difficult backs because I learn a lot and it's interesting and I can run in winds, but I'll usually shut down if I'm light, I don't consider it worth the risk. I really don't have much experience in the mountains with snow, but most of the time I don't really want to drive in it anyway. But there's a part of me that thinks I should if that makes sense

I know what you mean, my philosophy for my first year was survive. After you get that year under your belt you will feel far more comfortable with adverse weather so it won't be as big of a deal.

My first year I would get nervous at the sight of a snow flake now 4.5 years later it takes like 15 before I start to worry.

In LTL we have a saying "better to be at home (or parked in your case) wishing you where on the road, rather than in a ditch wishing you where home"

Plus other than the safety factor consider your time, if you can only run 40 mph and be stressed for 10 hours is it really worth eating up your clock for?

I don't mind the difficult backs because I learn a lot and it's interesting and I can run in winds, but I'll usually shut down if I'm light, I don't consider it worth the risk

Yeah. I'm with you when it comes to wind. I don't like to risk it at all if I'm light. That is a challenge I will pass on. Not choosing to drive in windy areas is a smart decision.

I can see how you might feel the need to challenge yourself with loads that take you into uncomfortable situations. That's the nature of being a competitor who finds it difficult to step away from a challenge. But those types of challenges are probably best to avoid if you have the choice. No shame in making a smart decision.

Coming home to New Jersey from Virginia late Friday/early Saturday during our recent snow storm it was windy and snowy... and I was empty after a stop in Baltimore. I drove super slow and it took a lot longer than it should have. If I wasn't coming home for my weekend off I would not have considered it worth the drive.