3 months in otr and I like.......

It’s not for everyone. I can tell you if you just go in it, “for the money” you won’t last. Because the money alone won’t be enough to keep you out here. Myself? I’ve always wanted to be an over the road trucker and once I got started I confirmed it. Will retire doing this if the powers that be allow it.

Best of luck to the OP! You gave it a shot! I remember in school instructor told us out of every 100 people who start CDL school only 2.5 are still on a truck driving it five years later.

 

Indian River Transport Company
https://indianrivertransport.com
Indian River Transport. Indian River Transport Co. is a privately owned food grade tank carrier.
Trucks:

• Indian River Transport runs a late model tractor fleet consisting of 600 Peterbilt tractors.
• All trucks are furnished with refrigerators and premier interior packages, over 70-inch sleepers.
• All tractors are assigned and are less than 36 months old.

 

I am in agreement with Chinatown. Spent 25 years in construction. Told myself I would give Trucking a shot for 1 year. 3+ years in and I love it. OTR LONG HAUL is my thing. Tried Walmart Dedicated, not my thing. Money wasn't bad, but the monotony of the same #### different day bored the hell out of me. Tried Local Beverage Delivery. Again, decent money, but, way too much like work. Definitely a "young man's sport" I was 57 and it about killed me! Back to OTR long haul and lovin' it. I am the Captain of the Ship, no micromanagement. I pick up and deliver on time, or EARLY! Everybody leaves me alone. Life is good!

 

I will add, parking is stressful if you only look to park at truck stops. Over the years I've found various hideouts around the country. Sometimes you have to sleep somewhere non conventional. Its nice to park at a truck stop but it ain't always feasible. Its probably 2 days each week, if even that, in which I sleep at a truck stop.

 

I agree with both of you....OTR is far better than local in my opinion. I like OTR reefer the best. I like the graveyard running, and that's proven to be the most steady money. I liked flatbed too, that's where my start came. There is that challenge of trying down weird loads. Lol, I loved hailing coils. To the OP, I don't know if 3 months is a big enough sample size, especially given the times that we are in, but maybe you'll find your niche in trucking

 

I always tell people, dont hang out at the truck stop!!!! It'll ruin your experience....

 

I might add........I am 60 years old, divorced, no young children, no significant other, in other words.....no life!. That is why this lifestyle suits me so well. It IS my life. I don't think that OTR is right for everybody but it works well for me.

 

Brother, I have a wife and fairly young children, but it suits me very well. I know it's better to be at home with he family but it ain't always realistic. They've adjusted nicely though. It makes the home time that much.mpre valuable

 

I knew I wouldn’t like OTR, so I never did it.

 

I’ve always said I never worked a day while driving a truck. I’ve worked with some difficult people along the way, as well as some real gems. Here’s the thing. If you stick it out for a year, maybe just a hair more, then begin shopping for a good company. “Good” is relevant to what’s good for you. Find out how they do business, how they treat their customers, how they treat their drivers. What their policies and procedures are. Don’t just talk to a recruiter, talk to their drivers, and observe what their trucks are doing and where their doing it. If your driving down the road on a Saturday behind a truck with a sign touting “home every weekend”, perhaps that’s a red flag. Just stuff like that.