I had an "incident" where I was heading down a street to my pickup - I had directions from the customer to be on this road! I was 3/4's down the street, next thing I know my trailer hits a low powerline. In the process it takes out power to two houses. According to safety its my fault, I should have checked the height of the powerlines. Is that really practical??? The power company is required to install all powerlines at a minimum height over the road. If this line were installed correctly at that required mimimum height everything would be fine. I had a delivery today in NC, lots of powerlines. Its driving me insane now! Thinking it could happen again.
The problem with our "industry" is they require perfection! But nobody is paying for that! I've given this company lots of miles and years of service. I am about ready to sell the truck. The liability you assume nowadays as a driver is insane. Why bother? Become a broker! Or get a "real" job.
If thats not bad enough, I am tired of being told how much the company appreciates me, I am so important, etc. B.S.! I haven't always been an O/O, and I've heard this as a company driver. Its complete bull. They want you, but when it comes time to back you up. NOPE. I will say I had one company who actually "had my back." When I first started driving I was navigating behind a shopping center in almost total darkness trying to find the dock. BAM! I hit a little dumpster on wheels that had been pushed out into the roadway. That company didn't punish me at all for that, I think most would. Thats how it should be. Why screw up a drivers record on some freak thing? Later they were bought out by another, and the company went down the S-er. Imagine that. The only reason I became an O/O was because they got bought out. Otherwise I would still be there. It was that great of a company.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rant a bit. I can't stop thinking about what happened and what I could have done differently. Thats the real question. Should I have got out at each powerline and measured, holding up traffic? Afterall, I was 3/4's down the road. Called the customer even though I had directions, and asked "are ya sure this road is ok?" What???
Its easy when your behind a desk in some corporate office, but I have a lot of my life and a lot of money invested in this job. For anyone out there thinking about becoming an O/O. Don't. Its not worth it. I also suggest you stay debt free your whole career, or live in an area where you can find a job quickly if you ever lose your driving gig. The liability is too great these days. Unless you like sleepless nights worrying about how you might have to quickly sell the truck and figure out how to pay your mortgage.
If you want to be a truck driver for a fews years to sock away some money, go for it. But as a career, don't even think about it! Thats where I screwed up. I originally did it to put away money, than I made the mistake thinking this would be a good "career." Go on a website like "monster.com" and see how many jobs you can get having mostly driven a truck your whole life. Hmmm. Trucking and more trucking. And your record better be spotless, or your going to end up flipping burgers. : / AND IF THATS NOT BAD ENOUGH! Freight rates for the most part stink! Fuel is too high!
Thanks again.
- Frustrated O/O
The problem with our "industry" is they require perfection! But nobody is paying for that! I've given this company lots of miles and years of service. I am about ready to sell the truck. The liability you assume nowadays as a driver is insane. Why bother? Become a broker! Or get a "real" job.
If thats not bad enough, I am tired of being told how much the company appreciates me, I am so important, etc. B.S.! I haven't always been an O/O, and I've heard this as a company driver. Its complete bull. They want you, but when it comes time to back you up. NOPE. I will say I had one company who actually "had my back." When I first started driving I was navigating behind a shopping center in almost total darkness trying to find the dock. BAM! I hit a little dumpster on wheels that had been pushed out into the roadway. That company didn't punish me at all for that, I think most would. Thats how it should be. Why screw up a drivers record on some freak thing? Later they were bought out by another, and the company went down the S-er. Imagine that. The only reason I became an O/O was because they got bought out. Otherwise I would still be there. It was that great of a company.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rant a bit. I can't stop thinking about what happened and what I could have done differently. Thats the real question. Should I have got out at each powerline and measured, holding up traffic? Afterall, I was 3/4's down the road. Called the customer even though I had directions, and asked "are ya sure this road is ok?" What???
Its easy when your behind a desk in some corporate office, but I have a lot of my life and a lot of money invested in this job. For anyone out there thinking about becoming an O/O. Don't. Its not worth it. I also suggest you stay debt free your whole career, or live in an area where you can find a job quickly if you ever lose your driving gig. The liability is too great these days. Unless you like sleepless nights worrying about how you might have to quickly sell the truck and figure out how to pay your mortgage.
If you want to be a truck driver for a fews years to sock away some money, go for it. But as a career, don't even think about it! Thats where I screwed up. I originally did it to put away money, than I made the mistake thinking this would be a good "career." Go on a website like "monster.com" and see how many jobs you can get having mostly driven a truck your whole life. Hmmm. Trucking and more trucking. And your record better be spotless, or your going to end up flipping burgers. : / AND IF THATS NOT BAD ENOUGH! Freight rates for the most part stink! Fuel is too high!
Thanks again.
- Frustrated O/O