One Year Milestone

The time has come to make that big decision. I made it through the one year rookie solo mark. It hasn't been easy. A lot of sacrifices were made along the way - not the least of which was starting pay and no time off the first year. I've confessed some of my silly mistakes such as almost passing a weigh station and getting yelled at by the DOT officer; forgetting to lock my trailer tandems and getting that sudden jolt as I applied the breaks in the shippers yard; heading to a consignee before I went to the shipper for a live load, thank goodness I figured that out only 9 miles into the journey; and a couple of near misses almost scraping a sign or two early on.

All-in-all, it was a pretty good first year. 1. I qualified for every single bonus at one level or another in every single quarter. 2. I consistently placed in the top 8 drivers, safety-wise, every single month since I went solo. Finishing as high as 1st one one occasion and top three at least 1/2 dozen times. 3. I drove 119,000ish miles in 12 months using three different trucks. 4. Earned the respect and trust of everyone I work with. And they've earned mine. 5. I've been rewarded with a mileage pay increase each and every quarter.

I looked at other companies for local home daily jobs, which is what I really want to do. But, in the end, none of them felt right, and I didn't feel right even looking at them. The biggest con to trucking the first year, especially since I've never had fewer than three weeks vacation annually at any point in my working life, is limited or no time off. However, the company treats me well. From the owner to the mechanic, everyone does what they say they will do - that's a rarity. And, I think I know they can depend on me too. So, I inquired about increasing my vacation time but I did not ask for a pay increase because I know those will come as I continue to put in the time and perform to expectations. Within 8 working hours, and without me giving a specific number of weeks, they met my minimum annual vacation time requirements. After looking back at the last 12 months and considering all the pros and cons I could write down on paper, and talking with my wife, we've decided to stick with it for another year.

So, it's another year on the road for this rookie driver. Oh, and I'm climbing into my new truck when I get back from vacation the first week of April!

Bill, that first year really went by quick. Very happy for you to have had such a stellar first year.

Ok, here come the bananas:

Bill, that first year really went by quick. Very happy for you to have had such a stellar first year.

Thanks BK!

Congratulations Bill on making it through the first year solo!

Bill, that's a major accomplishment - congratulations!

I have to admit when I saw the title to your post I had a hard time believing it was true. It seems like you just got started. Time flies. You've been killing it! Congratulations!

Thanks, Old School.

Indeed, time goes by quickly. What a journey it's been so far. I do the best I can do every day and hope that's good enough every day.

I forgot to mention I thought about quitting at least three times. But I always went to sleep on that thought and woke up feeling differently about it.

Bill, that's a major accomplishment - congratulations!

I have to admit when I saw the title to your post I had a hard time believing it was true. It seems like you just got started. Time flies. You've been killing it! Congratulations!

Thanks, Dennis.

How are things going for you now that You're back at it?

Congratulations Bill on making it through the first year solo!

Congrats sir! Honestly your responses and posts on here are so mature and reflect such good decision making I thought you had more than a year of experience already. Glad you decided to stick it out

Congratulations sir! Sounds like a very good first year.

Just don't let your guard down, a lot of drivers make it through the first year end up getting complacent and having a accident.

Congratulations. Local jobs are probably going to be slim pickens just about everywhere. If you do decide to get another year otr in even more opportunities will open for you. A lot local opportunities at the most will want two years. Some three.