Question:
Hi I am a new driver...anyone want to take me on with this one. :I have just been thru 3 weeks of school, 28 days of on the road training, 17 states, 9700 miles of actual driving and still have a good attitude. Your turn...)

Answer:
You mean you were not ready to go out on your own after CDL trainng? Wow.
So did you learn anything while in OTR training besides driving?202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

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Hi Daytrader. Learned a lot about people and how different it is looking out from a rig down on other drivers where I used to be. Learned how to eat and sleep on the road, etc .

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Learn anything about driving the vehicle safely and delivering loads on time?

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Oh yea. Had a good trainer for the first 180 hrs. Dont know what my second trainer is going to be like. We were usually early and had to wait. I couldn't believe the attitude of some of the warehouse workers, especially in the Southeast. Back in Calif and west states wasn't bad.

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did you do most of the backing i will be going wiyh my trainer next week did you go thur any mountions what is the name of your company

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Name of the company doesnt matter. I backed every chance that I got. You can never get enuff practice. I went over Mont Eagle, Black Mountains, and Shasta. Dont be afraid to go over the passes just listen to your trainer and he/she will get you thru it. Try not to panic, it isnt that bad. Good luck.

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If you think you saw attitude in the SE, just wait until you get up here in the Northeast!! (if you haven't been here yet)
I used to run Costco dedicated when I lived out west and the receivers were some of the nicest folks I ever dealt with, and they even unloaded the truck.
Now I deliver to BJ's Wholesale Clubs (similar to Costco) here in PA and NJ and these people are some of the nastiest jerks I ever met. And I unload the truck, they don't.

Answer:
PandaBear, the success of anyone out here can and will depend on their attitude, and if you know how to be professional and present yourself, you'd be surprised how well nearly everyone will treat you!
The northeast really isn't all that bad! In fact, back in November, I was on my way to pick up a load in Connecticut, and had to call for directions. I wrote down everything, and before I hung up, the shipping clerk said "Feel free to call us back if you have ANY problems! Be safe on your trip over here, and we'll see you in a while!".
Got over there just before lunchtime, and the shipping clerk and his boss were back there. After I checked in, they told me "We're having a potluck company luncheon; feel free to come join us and eat all you want! We'll get you loaded after lunch!".
Went in there and had some great conversation with several of the people who worked there, including some office personnel, and enjoyed some great food! Very warm atmosphere there! After lunch, they had me loaded up and wished me a safe trip to Laredo.
The moral to this: Professionalism! To me, that means treating others you interact with the way you want to be treated. Dressing nice helps too, as that first impression means a lot to those who see you!
Another note: Many of the drivers who complain about rude treatment in different areas of the country more than likely went in there "with a chip on their shoulder" and got what they deserved!Not liable for any information posted.

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Chaos, I agree with you, and I must admit I have dealt with some very friendly folks here in the northeast. I have also dealt with some arrogant azzwipes out west. By and large though, you will find more bad attitudes in the northeast than anywhere else in the country.
I, too, try to present a professional attitude with customers. I have always been polite and cheerful. One time, in spite of this, I was told to wipe the effen smile off my face.
In some cases, all the professionalism in the world means nothing. You will get attitude no matter no matter what you do. I mostly ignore it, but sometimes it is difficult.

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Thunderbolt, I agree with you. We can encounter bad attitudes just about anywhere we go!
I had a problem with a shipper in Louisiana once, and my truck was overweight on the drive axles since they didn't load my 53' trailer properly, and sliding the tandems wouldn't get me legal. They refused to correct it, so I called my company and alerted them to the situation. Not long after that, the shipping clerk emerged from his office with an attitude from hell! I told him "We can handle this professionally, or YOU are taking YOUR freight off of MY truck, as I'm not going to pay an overweight fine! What did my company tell you?". He replied "They want you to RUN WITH IT!". I called my company,and they said "We didn't tell him that". I told them "OK, please find me a different load, as I'm gonna ask him to unload the trailer. I don't need this kind of BS!".
I ended up going to Beaumont, Texas afterwards and picked up a different load. Not liable for any information posted.

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Okay, then: Attitude means everything!!!


Okay, then: Attitude means nothing!!!

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Well, John, every situation is different. If one goes in attempting to start off on the right foot, at least they an say they TRIED, right?Not liable for any information posted.

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That's probably the smartest decision anyone can make on this forum, because no matter what company you mention, someone will have something bad to say about it and give you 50 reasons why you shouldn't be working there.
Btw, I run the northeast exclusively. People I've encountered have been wonderful, even in NY/NJ, where they have the worst reputations (and which, I think, they enjoy wearing - the truth be known). My worst experiences with dock workers have been the in southeast. Maybe it's just luck of the draw, but this is how's it's worked out.
Answer:

I'm a results oriented person so, for me, trying comes down to this old saying:
"Try in one hand, crap in the other and see which one fills up first."
Don't get me wrong; I'm a firm believer that being pleasant will normally result in better results for a driver than he/she could expect from being an ***hole.
However, I do get tired of hearng newbies told that "attitude is everything" and/or "trucking is what you make of it". The power of positive thinking (ala Norman Vincent Peale) will take a driver so far but there are some situations, and people, that one encounters on the road that all of the attitude in the world simply won't help. I think that the rookie driver turnover rate in this industry would decline dramatically if we quit telling people that "trucking is what you make of it". After a few years of experience, a good driving record and some money in the bank trucking becomes what you make of it, career wise; for the first year, trucking is more of "how much can you put up with".