Crete Carrier - A Year In Review - Fall 2013 Going Forward

Just trying to help out the guys still in CDL school. All that fun touristy stuff they're expecting, the pride, the respect... Its all nonsense. For most people, this is just a job, and so many people quit because they got in for the wrong reasons.

I guess I'm just the wrong type of guy for OTR, but from everything I can gather, you gotta be crazy to do this job for any longer than necessary. Then again, I'm still 28, I'm speaking to people closer to my age. I can see the appeal of the lifestyle to... Older gentlemen (darn filters...), but young'uns really oughta have more to look forward to in life than sitting behind a wheel half the day and sleepin in a box alone.

 

Grandson I started at 21 I'll be 40 in August. Lol @ people who think this is a paid tourist deal. I'm sure most come thinking its an easy buck. But oh what you have to go through to get it out of the shady hands of trucking companies and dot is another story.

Hope you find happiness Brandson. But I doubt it would be in the transportation industry. Now off I go to my little bunk and dream of fresh black top with fresh yellow and white lines. Yeeee hawww.

 

When I was otr my first year it was run hard for 3 weeks and go home 5 days.

Then when I went otr the second time i was paid more per mile and could take it easy. Even had dispatchers who knew local hot spots around truck stops I'd be at for my 34 so I could go have some fun at a bar or go see a movie.

Now, only enough while working local, all I do is work. I work 6 days on with 2 off and a 4 day weekend every 5 weeks. My days off are the only time I can spend time with friends or family. Lol.


Local ain't all its cracked up to be, you're still working and it's usually harder (labor wise) than otr. You got to earn that paycheck while going home every night.

All in all, otr is needed, local is needed, we both work in an industry where we need each other. Just depends on what your situation is for which job you'd like

 

Daweinerbite (dang auto correct) you have set everyone straight. Thanks for the wisdom.

 

Have you been OTR for most/all of that time? Over the road since 21... Call up CMT, that's a sad country song that's half written already. I honestly don't have words for how terrible that sounds. Best years of your life in a truck, that's pure crazy.

 

I was going to post a comment along those lines, but I said I would quit with the last post.

But I have to agree that is the case with many local jobs. Most want you back on duty after a legal break, which means you have to squeeze in eating supper, playing with the kids, watching tv, playing with mama, and sleeping, not to mention travel time to/from plus loading and unloading your stuff into a truck every day...naaa...been there, done that.....me, I may stay away from home for weeks, but once I'm on home time it's 5-7 days of uninterrupted me time... Plus, as an OTR driver, I walk to work every day from my condo (sleeper). Plus, (again)as most local jobs are, you're in a day cab. If you're delayed at a customer, how comfy is that steering wheel if you want to rest the peepers a minute. Me, I just go give my pillow some head...let me know when your done with my load, I'll be resting...can anyone say "off duty/sleeper birth". Plus as a local driver that is home every day...you don't get a meal allowance from the Infernal Revenue Stooges. They allow OTR drivers 80% of $59 for every day away from home without receipts, only a logbook. I've never spent that much on a regular basis.

 

I just wanted to chime in here. Otr is not for everyone. ... running otr you make a lot of sacrifices, including tucking your children. Some people enjoy running the road and others dont. It is a matter of preference.

 

1st year otr ran to local because I didn't want to deal with another winter. Did local meat hauling/food service for 6 months. Then got a sweet home every night or other night gig. Did that for 3 years. Then back otr but it was normally out and back runs for 8 years. Now the last 5 has been all otr. 2 kids 16 and 11 1ex wiFe after 13years and a soon to be X after 5 years. My kids love me my x wives don't. Really dude this country song is sung by Florida Georgia line. I wouldn't have it any other way. Really dude you act like people are trapped. Do what you do and have fun with it.

I think you are the one with the sad country song. You are the one who hates your gig. I'm loving mine. Do you see the numbers under my signature picture. Yeeee hawww

 

I think its best to just get back to Crete related stuff. We can take this to another forum and dinosaur(dang auto correct) can come yell at us for liking being home some more. LOL! Sorry Crete drivers!

 

Bad Dino bad you know better you are lucky you are not sitting in the hallway or with your nose in the corner. There may not be a second chAnce. You know the rules now behave dagnabit. Ok