When Rick began his trucking career it was a second career that was a stark contrast from his previous one. With more than 20 years of social service experience, he knew it was time to walk away and begin a new adventure. Today, Rick shares his experience with us, explains how he ended up behind the wheel, and his thoughts for new drivers coming into the industry.
Shift in Gears: From Social Services to Behind the Wheel
TTN – You’ve certainly changed course on your career trajectory. What led you down the road to trucking?
Rick – When I was kid, I was always into transport trucks. I had toy trucks, and my dad took me to a couple of truck shows at a nearby truck stop. I even had a hat that said, “When I grow up I wanna be a trucker.” So, in my mid-forties when I knew that I was at the end of my social services career, I decided to chase a dream and get behind the wheel.
TTN – That’s quite a career pivot. How did you find the shift from social services to trucking?
Rick – Definitely a huge shift! Being away from home for days at a time, the long work hours, and the steep learning curve to driving a big rig in unfamiliar cities were all challenges to adapt to. And quickly. Once you’re in, you’re in, and it’s all up to you to figure out.
Typical Day:
TTN – Speaking of the long work hours, what does a typical day look like to you?
Rick – I’ve been fortunate to spend minimal time doing any overnight driving, but the days begin earlier than they used to. I am typically up and behind the wheel by 5:00 a.m. to begin my run. I drive LTL so there are always new places to go. The night before I leave, I look at my paperwork and plan my route on Google Maps to make sure I am at least acquainted with the general route and area, but I navigate on my GPS. I also always look at Google Earth to get the lay of the land at my destination because surprises in the truck are never welcome.
TTN – Do you plan around high-traffic volumes?
Rick – I wish I could, but rarely. The freight needs to go, and I need to get it there or pick it up. By starting my day earlier, I tend to have a bit of flexibility, but it’s often consumed by rush hour traffic.
TTN – What about breaks? How do you plan your break times and locations?
Rick – I will often take breaks before big cities if I know it’s rush hour or if there are any other delays. I regularly check out apps like TruckerPath to find good rest spots and rarely go too far off the highway. And I don’t usually take more than the minimum time for a break unless there is a scheduled delivery or pick-up time that I need to wait for. When you’re paid by the mile, downtime is unpaid time.
Communication with Dispatch:
TTN – What’s your communication like with your dispatcher?
Rick – I work for a smaller company, so we all know each other and it’s easy to communicate with each other. We simply call or text directly. It’s easy, but I know many drivers have strained relationships with dispatchers.
TTN – What would you suggest to drivers who have strained relationships with dispatch?
Rick – I think it comes down to communication. Let them know what’s happening, but also realize that they are trying to meet obligations as well. We can’t do our job without them, but they also can’t do theirs without us.
TTN – You mentioned that you rarely leave the highway when stopping for breaks. How do you find the current parking situation out there?
Rick – During the day, it’s not too bad, but many of the older stops aren’t built for today’s 53-foot trailers and the bigger rigs so it’s always a challenge to pull through. There just isn’t the space to avoid the grass or the curb at some places. At night, when most of us are out of hours, it’s much more difficult. I’ve spent too many nights parked on the shoulder or a ramp. It’s not safe but there are few options available. Even when you try to book reservations at some places they are already booked up. Getting to the end of the day is what seems to cause the most trouble for drivers. Planning when to shut down before your hours are up while finding a place that will have spots available and still be on the route you need for the next day can be tough for drivers. There just aren’t enough spots.
Traffic and Parking Stressors: How do you handle with them?
TTN – You’ve mentioned traffic and parking as stressors. How do you handle those stressors?
Rick – I’d have to say plan ahead as much as possible. As soon as you know where you’ll be for your last pick or drop, decide where you’ll park and make it your goal to get there. For the heavy traffic scenarios, drivers soon find out the trouble spots. If I can’t take a break beforehand, I rely heavily on podcasts. I might as well enjoy my time learning or being entertained. There’s little that any of us can control so it’s just easier to roll with the punches.
Meals on the Road:
TTN – What do you do for meals on the road?
Rick – I spend time at home preparing frozen meals for the road, so I take as much with me as possible. It’s comforting to have a taste of home while on the road, but I buy coffee and snacks on the road most days. I have all the basic appliances in my truck, like a microwave, toaster, and even a small crockpot. It’s much cheaper to bring food or pick up fresh food that you can prepare yourself than to always eat out at a restaurant or fast food. But like being at home, a meal out is a nice treat. I just try to keep things simple and easy.
Advice for New Drivers:
TTN – What piece of advice would you give to new drivers or people looking to get into trucking?
Rick – Just enjoy it. Be okay with time on your own, but don’t neglect your mental health and well-being. Have a meal with another driver. Call home. Sit in the driver’s lounge. Never stop learning. You’ll get more out of your job if you put more effort into it. And that applies to every aspect of it. You know the old adage, “Treat others the way you want to be treated?” That applies to the cashiers at the truck stop, the folks working in shipping and receiving, and even your fellow drivers. Your own attitude can change your day and the day of everyone around you.
