Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/306069
by Tim Brady May '14 www.studentdriverplacement.com 1 1 New challenges? Naomi: Starting a new job. Although I was very happy where I was, I became disillusioned with some things that have been happening. No raises for driv- ers. Must run a set amount of miles per month to keep the insurance. The new dispatcher was rarely in the offi ce and not working for me. Keeping drivers who dropped trailers or put trucks in the ditch to be towed out, then covering it up. Just was tired of the crap. So, I found a new company. I think we'll be much happier there. Ben: Mainly dealing with this weather. It has been a rough challenge; a tough winter and real learning experience. Interesting experiences? Naomi: LOL! Donner in a snowstorm with chains on and high winds. That was so much fun. Getting very, very ill in California - took a cab to the hospital; found out I had pneumonia. And all the idiot dispatcher could say was, "Text - when will you have your load delivered?" He couldn't have cared less about my health. That was really the straw that broke the cam- el's back. Stopping to take pictures in west Yellow- stone. I only took 15 minutes, but it was worth every minute. Ben: I had a breakdown. It took six hours to get a mechanic out to me to fi x the truck. And he brought the wrong part. By then I was out of hours to drive, so I had to get a tow. It took 3 hrs for the tow truck to show up. When he got the truck on the hook and ready to roll, I told him I was gonna get my phone out of the truck. He said OK - when I got in my truck to grab my phone - he took off. So I got to ride in my truck while he towed me. By the way, he didn't take his time. At one point we were doing 80, accord- ing to my navigation! Advice for someone just finishing school about taking time to smell the flowers. Naomi: You have to relax and take a breather. So what if you're running early; they most likely won't take your load ear- ly, so blow that 15 minutes or an hour to do something you love. You'll go stir-crazy if you don't fi nd a way to relax. Ben: Ask people who are from the area you're in what there is to do that's interesting. Google search places. But try to stay out of trouble. Here's to your future great loads and great roads. ◆ Timothy Brady © 2014 To contact Brady go to www.truckersu.com intro trucking 0514.indd 2 4/21/14 9:31 AM