Well, after training a month ago yesterday was my first day on the road with a supervisor. He drove the whole day while I tried to learn the area that I'll be in for my 30.
It was a very interesting experience. I worked my tail off just as I expected. I'm typing this after taking 2 advil getting ready for today. Icy sidewalks and curbs are a PITA. Sup wanted me to hustle a bit more but I decided I wasn't going to crack my skull for anyone. The biggest problem I see is just learning the area well enough to where I don't have to check my atlas ever 3 stops to figure out where I'm going next. We ran so far off trace yesterday that I was completely clueless after 11am. I really didn't have a clue where we were or going to next. The route from what I hear is a tough one. There were a ton of commercial bulk stops for machine shops. No lunch due to a bunch of late airs coming in, regular preloader called in, and another driver dumped a bunch of stops on us. He waited 30 minutes for us to meet him...
My on-car was a really cool guy. Upbeat, personable, dedicated to getting work done. I just wish that he would have done things a bit more "by the book" so I could have followed along. Today I think I'll try to focus more on where stuff is and taking notes so when it's my turn to drive I won't be completely lost. A little overwhelming is how I would describe it.
I'm tired, extremely sore, a little nervous, and extremely excited to be provided the opportunity to service my customers well and be compensated fairly for it. I know it won't be easy, but I also know that I'm not expected to be perfect right out of the gate. I will do the best I can and I will get better as time goes on.
It was a very interesting experience. I worked my tail off just as I expected. I'm typing this after taking 2 advil getting ready for today. Icy sidewalks and curbs are a PITA. Sup wanted me to hustle a bit more but I decided I wasn't going to crack my skull for anyone. The biggest problem I see is just learning the area well enough to where I don't have to check my atlas ever 3 stops to figure out where I'm going next. We ran so far off trace yesterday that I was completely clueless after 11am. I really didn't have a clue where we were or going to next. The route from what I hear is a tough one. There were a ton of commercial bulk stops for machine shops. No lunch due to a bunch of late airs coming in, regular preloader called in, and another driver dumped a bunch of stops on us. He waited 30 minutes for us to meet him...
My on-car was a really cool guy. Upbeat, personable, dedicated to getting work done. I just wish that he would have done things a bit more "by the book" so I could have followed along. Today I think I'll try to focus more on where stuff is and taking notes so when it's my turn to drive I won't be completely lost. A little overwhelming is how I would describe it.
I'm tired, extremely sore, a little nervous, and extremely excited to be provided the opportunity to service my customers well and be compensated fairly for it. I know it won't be easy, but I also know that I'm not expected to be perfect right out of the gate. I will do the best I can and I will get better as time goes on.