Truck drivers are constantly being thrown curveballs. Getting a load from point A to point B may sound simple, but it is frequently anything but. Drivers who plan ahead and are prepared for what may happen on the road are better equipped to solve those problems and keep moving. Think of all the problems that can come up: road hazards, inclement weather, tractor/trailer problems, load safety/securement problems, delays due to traffic, construction, shippers or receivers, etc. Drivers have a lot on their plates and have to continually adapt to anything that might happen on the road. Good problem-solving skills can help to turn a stressful situation into a learning opportunity.
When faced with a challenge, keep in mind these problem-solving steps.
- Identification of the problem
- Pay attention to your surroundings to observe any current or potential problems and investigate the situation.
- Analyze the situation
- Consider the risks involved and gather the information needed to solve the problem.
- Use reason, logic, and common sense to form a plan of action.
- Take a step back and look at the broader perspective to analyze how the decision will impact you and the company as a whole. Always make sure your decision aligns with company values.
- Plan implementation
- Decide the most appropriate plan of action and put it in place. Consider all the potential ways of fixing the problem.
- Remember Occam’s Razor: the simplest explanation or solution is often the best. However, not all problems will have an easy fix. If you’re not sure what plan of action to take, always reach out to your Driver Manager.
Consider these scenarios to find the best solutions to the problems.
- You just left a shipper and scaled out to find out that you are overweight. What do you do?
- Can you take an APU exemption? Will you burn off enough fuel to be legal? Can you slide the tandems? Consider the simplest solutions first. If none of those apply, the best option is to go back to the shipper to have product removed or to rework the load.
- What if you hook a trailer at a drop lot to finish a delivery and scale the load to find that it was overloaded and the original driver didn’t scale it? If you can’t use any of the above solutions, the best option is to ask the Driver Manager for guidance. You don’t want to deliver late, but that’s preferable to getting an overweight ticket or being put out of service.
- Your clock is running low and you’re stuck at a shipper or receiver and are worried you will run out of time before you can find parking. What do you do?
- Assuming you’ve already trip planned where you were originally planning to break, this curveball can ruin those plans. The first option would be to ask the facility if you can break on their lot. If that’s not an option or they don’t have any facilities available to drivers, your next option would be to PC a short distance, if applicable for an empty trailer, or use Safe Haven to get to a truck stop. Your DM can also help you find and reserve parking for you if needed.
Remember, experts aren’t made overnight. The longer you drive, the more experience and skills you will develop and you’ll be better able to problem-solve on the fly. Drivers who plan ahead and are prepared for what can happen on the road are better equipped to solve those problems and keep moving. And always reach out to your Driver Manager if you are having trouble.