Rookie Year Recap

Hey TT, figured I'd do a little follow-up after completing my first year on Dec 29th.

It was quite the learning experience and adventure! I know there's always more to learn and skills to improve on which I'm looking forward to. But things that were initially more challenging and time consuming for me have gotten easier. Things such as trailer doors not wanting to close and tandems not wanting to slide.

I trained with and drive for Veriha based in northeast Wisconsin. To satisfy that training contract I need 12 months and 120,000 miles. The time component is met but I turned 99,406 paid miles so still some time to go there. I started out OTR , out for about two and a half to three weeks then home for three days. Though I'm glad I started that way, I switched to Regional around November. Due to the size and operating area of my company, the only thing that really changes is I'm home on the weekends. Generally some time Friday then back out Monday morning. Regional and OTR can get sent on the same runs. The reason for the switch is I really wasn't seeing many long runs so didn't feel it was worth it being out as long.

Just so prospective drivers know what they might make their first year, I grossed a little over $63k. But that said, my company has guaranteed pay (g-pay) so you make your minimum pay each week if you have no preventables and lates that are your fault. So even if freight is slow or you're sitting in the shop most of the week, you earn. I'd rather be driving on long runs but at least I can rely on g-pay.

I had a preventable accident at the start of my second month. My eighth month I did a concert tour with the Entertainment Fleet. That ended with a freight shift piercing the nose of the trailer. I discussed those elsewhere on here when they happened. Learned a lot from both negative incidents, and aside from that had a blast doing the tour. It was fun, interesting, and educational seeing a different part of our vast industry.

I will keep going to fulfill the rest of my contract. As long as I want to keep doing what I'm doing, I'll keep doing it with Veriha. But other facets intrigue me and may try something else down the road.

Thank you very much to everyone here for getting me started on the right path and for all the advice I've gotten. It is very much appreciated and the reason I made it through my first year! See you out there.

Great write up! You made it well past what most rookies achieve--the one year mark. That a decent earnings amount for the first year, too. Your amount made should only go upwards as you gain experience. Congratulations!

Sandman learns:

Learned a lot from both negative incidents.

That is the most important thing in your post. You cannot learn every little thing (and some big things) in any training. You have to go out and actually make some mistakes. Your company knows this, so as long as you can learn from these boo-boos, you'll be a better driver.

You can change your TT status from "Rookie Solo Driver" now.

Congratulations! Time sure does fly

Sounds like you had a pretty good first year, in my second month I forgot to roll down the legs on a trailer and then pulled out from under it. 2 days later I was so worried about the legs I cranked those down first and forgot to undo airlines. I saw them hanging off the front of the rear trailer when I turned around.

Remain vigilant in your second year, a lot of drivers make it through year one, then get lax and end up having a accident in year two.

Thanks guys! And for the continuing advice too. I still have that rookie mindset / paranoia (hopefully a healthy dose! 😁) and will check and recheck things to make sure I've done what I need to do before hooking/unhooking/rollin out.

I've also met some drivers from my company newer than me and they'll call me for advice. I'm so happy to be able to share what I've experienced thus far. I also make it very clear I'm new too so they don't think they're getting super-experienced info, just what I've got to give!

Congratulations Sandman J!

You've had an impressive rookie year. Keep up the vigilant efforts and you'll see greater rewards.

Congratulations on year one. Keep being fluid and adapting to different situations. Keep learning from your mistakes because you'll make plenty of them, we all do. It's why companies pay for experience.

Sandman, I’m Veri Ha-ppy for you.

Seriously, congratulations to you. It’s really great to view your comments on the forum and much appreciated.

Just 900,000 more miles and you can make a post like Old School did!

Have a safe second year.

Way to go Sandman J getting through the first year!

A great rookie year by any standards! And that regional gig offers more time off than most regional positions out there. A full weekend off instead of a measly 34+hours is what many drivers in similar positions would consider a huge fringe benefit.

Congratulations on an excellent year!