The six-figure club.

I did “things and stuff” in my 20’s and 30’s. Big house, new vehicles every year, toys additions to my workshop, collected art etc. now? As I get old life is about experiences, and spending time with those who matter. Stuff is a waste of time. Got a small cottage on property now, no stuff other than what I need and it’s all paid for. No debts. I feel “wealthier” than ever . I spend my money on doing things now. Not junk.

 

@Lennythedriver Home-work life balance to me is being able to come home every day at a decent hour, and spending time with my loved ones. When I was at XPO I wasn’t able to do that, I’d get home at 2100-2200hrs, straight to a shower and bed. Then back at it at 0800 the next day.

Where I’m at now I get home at 1600-1700 have time to spend with the family, and be back at it by 0630 the next morning. I gladly took a pay cut to be able to do that.

The balance is what YOU make it to be. For me it was the extra time with them.

 

Still have one small check coming…

 

You're in the club brother. Congratulations on a long year of hard work and safety driver!

 

Appreciate the sentiment…as for the safety…I’ll take that….Hard work??
Nah I’d be lying if I said that…. I average 4 day work weeks and had 10 weeks off… all I do is bump docks and sit there until they unload….but I’m old

 

With that kind of schedule you're rich in free time and relaxation. Way better than any number on an employer check. I aim to get there one day!

 

The responses here really show that it differs from person to person what they consider a work/home life balance. If I was still raising a family or even had a wife at home, I would probably want a schedule similar to yours. But I’m single. And the child that I have is raised and has a kid of her own now. Lol so what I prefer is to stay out OTR for long periods of time but then get extra days off a few times per year so I can go on a trip. Example. I’m fine going out for 2 to 3 weeks and going home for 2 to 3 days. But a couple times per year , I like to stay out for like 6 to 7 weeks running hard and then get 10 to 12 days off so I can go on a trip. That’s the kind of flexibility I’m looking for.
I know all the stories and all the things about logistics and keeping the truck moving and all of that and why it’s so hard for truck drivers to get extended time off. But what I don’t understand is that trucking companies typically run their numbers year to year. Working the schedule that I have described I’m still the same amount of miles. I’m still gonna run the same amount of loads. I’m actually going to run way more than the average driver that runs late Sunday to Friday afternoon each week and is home every weekend. But most companies still won’t allow this. They want to keep you at their fingertips year round.

I feel like a trucking company could come up with an ingenious marketing and recruiting scenario where they say, “ You as an OTR driver are going to get this many days off per year, use them anyway you like” lol So if you wanted to stay out for nine months straight and then take three months off, you can have it. Or however it worked out. Run three months straight take two weeks. Etc etc. still going to be the same at the years end.

 

I see your logic. You're definitely able to take trips like that. I haven't been on a trip out the country in 5 years.

 

Last check of the year hopefully next year we don’t have a slowdown the last few months now that the election is over. Can’t complain though I’ve broken my back for a lot less money while putting way more hours in this industry.