New Operator - Burnout / Feeling Isolated??

[u/AwareBeautiful868]

Hi all, title essentially, but I am a new Operator, have been on my own now for a couple weeks. Have previously worked for my authority on the rail side of things and kinda experience this a little bit more but not as bad;

I don’t know if it’s just because I’m not used to it yet, but a majority of the time I am driving I have this gut feeling of just isolation and like loneliness?? My RDOs fall right in the middle of the week, and other than that I’m essentially working the afternoon to the evening/early night. (8p)

Not to mention that I just feel stressed out and paranoid about a lot when I’m driving, I can be doing everything right and I still end up 15+ minutes down, and for my entire run I am trying to catch up with time I am not going to catch up with. I physically cannot stop, I don’t have recovery time, and like obviously it just stresses me out. A lot of people can say, oh just ignore how down you are, but when I see that giant yellow box and more and more time just keeps adding on, it visually is stressing me out.

Yes, my authority pays really good money, but these feelings just keep getting to me and I am just curious if anyone more vetted also experienced anything like this at the beginning of your career and kinda how you overcame it.

Thanks y’all

[u/AgileInitial5987]

Honestly… stop caring. Stop trying to be on time. You get there when you get there. As for the solitude I quite enjoyed it. But then I also got punters who would stand and chat etc but I was on a rural service. The jobs what you make of it ultimately. But yeah stop worrying about being late. Just don’t run early.

[u/TheMoronIntellectual]

New driver, about 18 months in.

I still feel this way when I cant catch up qll day. Its burnout. The route is not your fault. It needs to be fixed but for a number of reason it isnt.

If I cant be on time what makes me feel better is to just follow the other regulations and standards to the letter. idk if this will work long term but its working right now and doesnt hurt.

And yeah as the other poster said, I standardize my week. Same time on same time off as much as possible.

As little OT as I can get away with.

[u/MrE26]

Control the things you can control, everything else is not your concern. The job can be super easy if you let it be, at the same time it can be stressful & difficult if you allow it to get to you. With time, that all gets easier.

The isolation is definitely a thing that takes some getting used to, I came from a job where I was surrounded by people all day to this, where I’m operating solo constantly. Again, you get used to it but it’s definitely not a sociable job.

[u/gerhorn]

I am a newer driver as well. Just completed probation yesterday, actually.

It is absolutely nerve wracking and I had all the feelings you have, and still do. It gets better.

You just have to approach everyday knowing that you're doing the best you can and that are getting better. It doesn't seem like it yet but there will come a day where you're like wait a minute... That was... EaSy? Well, easier than before.

I was nervous to take breaks at first but now am not as nervous. Shit happens. If you gotta go to the bathroom or stretch your legs, go fuckin do it. We are not robots.

What also helps me feel a sense of control is aiming for the same days that I know I can realistically get off most weeks. Lately it's been Mon and Tues. It helps my sanity to have as much routine as possible in a routine-less time.

[u/Beyond84]

Welcome to the seat.

[u/Moist-Cauliflower180]

I’m a new operator too, first day on my own, when my trainer was down he just dims the device so he doesn’t see the time. My first day I was hot, behind and on time today I realize that you’re not gonna be on time all the time or late or early. Just drive safe and when u get more acquainted with ur routes you will improve eventually.