I recently passed my 2 year anniversary for driving and thought I would test the waters by putting my name out there on one of those mass application sites. Got about 70 contacts through phone calls, emails, and texts. Big mistake. After awhile it became obvious that there wasn't much difference in the trucking companies pitches. Just pretty much break them down into required time out. I know there is a difference in company culture, slight variation in benefits, etc. but after listening to all the pitches they all sounded the same when it came down to it and I decided to stay where I was at. But not before I threw a couple of them a curveball.
I told them all I wanted was to extend my home time to 6 to 10 days 3 or 4 times a year. Just pretend like I have been there long enough to earned vacation time. Not asking to get paid, I will take time off no pay. Other drivers that have earned paid time off and let there trucks sit, just let me take the time off I had earned in my other career of 25 years. It would mean about 2 extra weeks off a year.
You would have thought I was the laziest guy around. One person told me they only had "real truck driving jobs" available. Haha. Is this worth pursuing again? For the most part I have gotten extended time off, if needed. But I just want to plan some real vacations without saying my uncle is dying.
So here's what I want......
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Astoh, Jan 29, 2015.
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Well as a job, I do not know what you want. What I have is a dedicated job/route, for one customer. I work 5 nights a week, and my hours vary due to the stores ordering. Be that as it may, if YOU want any such job, with full weekends off, go at night to all the car dealerships, and watch the truck that goes in there to make night deliveries. Then contact that company directly, as the driver may think you're a hijacker if you approach him at say 2 AM. I know I'd club you to death if you walked up behind me, and my 2 deliveries in downtown Boston, makes me that way.
Then try places like Grainger for instance and see what company goes in there as well.
I actually answered an ad on Craig's List for my job, been there 4 years now.Astoh Thanks this. -
I am otr and enjoy it. Tried local in my area but it was a rat race. Just looking for more home time to see family.
Lucar Thanks this. -
Have you talked to your company about leaving the trk at the terminal?Companies will let drivers take extended hometime they just can't leave the trk at their house.They can't make money if the wheels aren't turning ya know.
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check out Poly trucking. I am not 100% sure if they are hiring right now but they might be. You get 7 business days off everytime u take hometime. So for example if you go home today for hometime you wouldnt be required to come out till february 9th. It is a otr gig if you have any other questions about them ask me.
Astoh Thanks this. -
I'm sure I read on the Crete forum that they allow drivers to take unpaid time off, just have to turn the truck in. IIRC there was one driver who took a month off every year to visit family overseas.
I suppose the downside to that is they may not have a truck available when you are ready to go back out?.Astoh Thanks this. -
I take about 4-6 weeks vacation every year. Every time the truck goes in to the shop. (Don't know how many ill do this year since i got a new truck.) Get a card with miles rewards and fly home every time the darn thing is getting nuts turned.
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It's always a pain to get home time extended. Personal time off is easy to get but if you are gone too long you lose your truck or may have to go through orientation again. I am not looking for long extended time. Just extend my 3 or 4 day home time to 6 or 10 days. Just like someone with earned vacation time does. I was just surprised by the reaction of the recruiters. I will probably bring it up in my next review with manager.
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I would think a small truck company would do that for you.
If I ever start a small trucking company the one thing i will do is give the guys as much time off as they want and when they want.
Seems to be the standard not to grant time off in this industry. -
G.Anthony Thanks this.
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