Thoughts After My First Week Solo

Hey Dennis,

Yeah, I had heard that about the governor, so I tried going 61 for a bunch of my loads. It didn't seem to help. Maybe 58-60 would make more of a difference, but I'm already struggling with covering the needed distance in the time I have at 62 mph. So yeah, I've just been trying to run "hard" (at 62, lol).

My dispatcher and I are still developing our rapport. He says he prefers me to run on recaps, but the loads and timing I get pretty much necessitate burning up my 70, so... Or he thinks I have enough time on recaps, but it doesn't seem like I do.

Hey Matt. Sounds like you're doing well.

I was laughing about your almost got stuck story. Guess that is a rookie thing. Man, I put myself into some situations. Glad I had a dump valve and time to get unstuck. It took forever with small adjustments to get back around without hitting anything. Lesson learned. Easier without a trainer around bird dogging and honestly much better learning experience. I had to divert a few times because of construction that wasn't noted on the GPS. Put myself into a few out of route situations. Nothing to be done for it. Can't plan for that kind of stuff. At least there is no way I know of without having local knowledge.

Everything is getting a little easier and I am actually looking forward to week three on my own. Back to work tonight to get parked up and unloaded tomorrow. So looking forward to handling my two lumber tarps tomorrow morning LOL.

I suspect you're probably feeling the same. Best of luck this week.

Hey Dennis,

Yeah, I had heard that about the governor, so I tried going 61 for a bunch of my loads. It didn't seem to help. Maybe 58-60 would make more of a difference, but I'm already struggling with covering the needed distance in the time I have at 62 mph. So yeah, I've just been trying to run "hard" (at 62, lol).

My dispatcher and I are still developing our rapport. He says he prefers me to run on recaps, but the loads and timing I get pretty much necessitate burning up my 70, so... Or he thinks I have enough time on recaps, but it doesn't seem like I do.

Matt, it’s tough to be a rookie. It’s like someone wants you to learn to swim so they toss you into the middle of the ocean. Sink or swim.

Almost all companies have the slogan “you are captain of your own ship” (is that spelled with a p or a t? Lol). But not all companies follow through on that principle. It’s up to you to stand your ground so that your schedule doesn’t grind you down. Don’t be argumentative about it, but let your DM know if your schedules are too tight. Constant tight schedules will wear you out over time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so think about pacing yourself to make driving work for the long term.

Thanks, Matthew. Yes, I make the most of those learning situations, not getting myself into something I can't get out of. And right, no way to know about construction ahead of time, really. Sometimes Google Maps will warn of something, especially if you have the traffic layer turned on. But there is no replacement for just keeping your head on a swivel as you drive, noticing signs, etc.

Good advice, Bruce K. I'm trying to strike a balance between working hard to earn some cash/proving myself a bit to dispatch... with also having some balance. Part of me is gratified when I get a tight, multi-day load in on time. But yeah, it is more draining, so I need to think about the long-term and what you say. The last couple days have been a load with more time on it, so the pace has been kind of nice (but of course I'll take a hit in the pocketbook...).

Matt, the State DOT road conditions maps can be useful tools. They give real time road conditions for winter weather and indicate construction zones, detours, etc. For my personal driving I kept links to the MODOT and ARDOT maps on my devices.

Thanks a lot for the heads up Dennis

Matt, the State DOT road conditions maps can be useful tools. They give real time road conditions for winter weather and indicate construction zones, detours, etc. For my personal driving I kept links to the MODOT and ARDOT maps on my devices.

Thanks a lot for the heads up Dennis

Matt, the State DOT road conditions maps can be useful tools. They give real time road conditions for winter weather and indicate construction zones, detours, etc. For my personal driving I kept links to the MODOT and ARDOT maps on my devices.

Ms. Laura has 'quite' the collection, on her phone! Look in her 'photo gallery' for her screen shot of all the widgets! Heck, I've got a pic of her phone's widgets, in MY gallery, too! Just click on my name (profile) and look through the photos.

Awesome tool. If she shows up, she'll post all hers! ODOT (Ohio) has an awesome feature, called OHGO .... it's actually intertwined with 'real time' cameras on our major highways; I've been able to actually SEE Tom, driving out there!

Pretty cool. Big Scott has some 360 app, (I've not figured out yet) that someone's S/O can see 'exactly' where they are, driving the rig! Not what you asked for/about, but.. cool feature, for the family to have, I'd think.

Best of luck, forward on!

~ Anne ~

Congratulations! I knew you would like it :-)

Are YOU still 'liking it' Andrey????? Sure has BEEN AWHILE ..

We MISS you!

~ Anne ~

ps: Yeah, Mt. Matt needs to stop back in, too!!!!

I saw this thread. How are you doing mountain? I'm actually heading out for a month. I told my DM I wanted to run out west. I like that better!

Ended up getting sick and in the hospital last week. Sent me home after an ER visit but I had to stay off for a week. This is my first day back and I am absolutely wiped. That stuff I had is no joke

Hope you're hanging in there and still enjoying yourself.

Ms. Laura has 'quite' the collection, on her phone! Look in her 'photo gallery' for her screen shot of all the widgets! Heck, I've got a pic of her phone's widgets, in MY gallery, too! Just click on my name (profile) and look through the photos.

Awesome tool. If she shows up, she'll post all hers! ODOT (Ohio) has an awesome feature, called OHGO .... it's actually intertwined with 'real time' cameras on our major highways; I've been able to actually SEE Tom, driving out there!

Updated with some new apps.

Laura