Millis OTR journal

I don’t want to look a gift horse in the mouth but at times I felt I was taking advantage of Millis. I would drive my 2800- 3400 a week. Trainer would get his 1000 plus in and the checks would be fantastic. Instead of trainer getting his 1000 miles in, I would have been happier going to some abandoned lot or a truck stop, or terminal and practice backing.

All water on under the bridge now though I’m living the dream. Got my CDL, everyday I’m learning something new. Have a fantastic dispatcher. Checks have been better than I imagined. That new raise back in November really boosted my expected earnings.

For anyone looking to go OTR you really need to put thought into the lifestyle. If you have family they need to be involved in the decision. They need to know you will be gone for weeks at a time. 2 people out of my class no longer work for Millis because they really didn’t put any thought into being away from family.

 

I agree with @MIT. I think trainers need more money.......

 

Thanks for the tips. Been wondering how it all works managing that 14 and 70 hour clocks and tips for maximizing it. I was under the impression you had to be on-duty to receive detention pay, so some guys would burn their 70 chasing detention pay instead of just saving those hours for actual driving.

 

It takes some getting used to. As a newb I have wasted so many minutes or hours of my 70. You get bettter week to week. Like going on duty to fuel after fueling pulling up and running in to truck stop to go to bathroom and not changing clock to off duty. Or doing drop and hook getting caught up with trailer issue and not changing clock to off duty. Normal rookie stuff. While I’m sure my ignorance has cost me a little money I’ve been extremely happy with my checks so far.

 

I don't know what some people think they're getting themselves jnto with this job. Bill in Trenton told me he's had many students that have said outright that they didn't like to drive. How do they expect that's going to work?

One thing I learned real quick both times I've done this job, though: No matter what you think it's going to be like, it's probably going to be very different. Even for somebody like me that doesn't have a wife and kids at home, it takes some adjustment. I've been out here a year this time around and I am just now starting to get comfortable with the "lifestyle." When people say that you're going to be miserable much of the time for your first year, believe them.

 

If we can ever be in the same place at the same time that would be great!

 

You need to call me again so I can explain how to edit your off duty/on duty/sleeper time.

 

People don't want to drive? Then why are they going into full-time driving??? Sheesh, some real Einsteins right there.

 

Heidelberg in Cincy do I go through entrance in dalton or W Liberty Street? Google maps says their truck entrance is on W Liberty but it looks like that entrance is for a different company.

 

I am now on my fourth week out since getting my truck. I was only going to stay out 4 weeks but this weekend wife and son will be out of town so no reason to go home. So anyhow I’m staying out till Easter wanted to learn by doing. Rinse and Repeat over and over again.
Yeah it sucks not being with family especially when something important happens. I refuse to look at this short term day by day. There was a reason I decided to drive OTR and choose Millis so any missed activities or moments lost, sucks but it isn’t the end of the world.