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a little advice and help please

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by squatch, Aug 23, 2009.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Aug 23, 2009 #1
    squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

    21
    2
    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
    0
    so here's what i have going, i'm scheduled to leave and head out to prime inc. oreientation this week, well yesterday got offered a job that has m home every night and lets me see my family, but its less money. so i really dont know what to do im kinda lost in all this and looking for some guidence. while i love driving truck im not that crazy about being gone all the time my wife and i have a 6 month old baby and its hard to leave her to hit the road. i guess im trying to decide if being away is worth the extra money. like i said lookig for a little help here.
     
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    #1
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  3. Aug 23, 2009 #2
    dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
    0
    It's simple math.

    The magic number is 35%.

    Unless Prime is willing to pay you 35% more than the local/regional job. It ain't worth it money wise. OTR expenses will eat you alive, if you're not careful.

    Just be sure of the job before you decide. If it's local, it will not be considered as OTR experience in the future, should you need something else.
     
    dancnoone, Aug 23, 2009
    dancnoone, Aug 23, 2009
    #2
    Texas-Nana and Ridgerunner665 Thank this.
  4. Aug 23, 2009 #3
    squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

    21
    2
    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
    0
    i didnt look at it that way, its not quite 35% but its close, but thats only if i get the miles they said i would get. i mean they told me i would get 2500 but thats what they all say, remeber any company will lie to you to get you to work for them so take half of the stuff they tell you and disregard it cuz its ########.
     
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    #3
  5. Aug 23, 2009 #4
    dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

    9,922
    3,713
    May 6, 2007
    Mississippi
    0
    The miles you get can fluctuate at any company.

    But from experience. I can tell you it's much easier to live on $300 a week at home, than it is on $600 on the road. Unless you're single with no bills.

    Make sure you have a cooler, regardless of which job you accept.
     
    dancnoone, Aug 23, 2009
    dancnoone, Aug 23, 2009
    #4
    squatch Thanks this.
  7. Aug 23, 2009 #5
    squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

    21
    2
    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
    0
    if i was single i wouldnt even think about it, i would hit the road in a heartbeat. but now i have a family and its just not that easy, its getting to hard to leave my kid at the end of my hometime, im definetly struggling here. i wish there was just a clear cut way to go but thats not how life works.
     
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    #5
  8. Aug 23, 2009 #6
    brinkj23

    brinkj23 "Asphalt Cowboy"

    1,165
    322
    Dec 26, 2005
    Minnesota
    0
    Well I would say take the local gig so you can see all the little moments of that baby and be there for the wife when she needs ya. I just hung up my otr career for a local gig just about 3 months ago and I am so happy I did cause I love being home everynight. Only thing about local is it can get monotonous and boring, but you get to see your wife and kid every night and sleep in your own bed and eat your food in your fridge. But I agree if I was single I would still be out there chasing them white lines, but got a woman at home that I just moved in with so im glad to be driving local. Its a tough decision but I would weigh all options and put numbers together and see if you can afford the local pay, or have to be gone and miss everything just for a few more bucks. Just my 2 cents.
     
    brinkj23, Aug 23, 2009
    brinkj23, Aug 23, 2009
    #6
  9. Aug 23, 2009 #7
    bubba mark

    bubba mark Medium Load Member

    615
    733
    Apr 9, 2009
    0
    If it were me I would take the job where I was home everyday. When my boys were little I worked 24 on and 24 off. I hated being gone for just 24 hours. I couldn't imagine being gone for weeks at a time.
     
    bubba mark, Aug 23, 2009
    bubba mark, Aug 23, 2009
    #7
  10. Aug 23, 2009 #8
    Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

    8,805
    9,197
    Apr 23, 2008
    Nana's empty nest
    0
    We just went dedicated so we'd see the grandbabies more. I'd take the local job. Children grow up incredibly fast.....in the blink of an eye.
     
    Texas-Nana, Aug 23, 2009
    Texas-Nana, Aug 23, 2009
    #8
  11. Aug 23, 2009 #9
    bill122250

    bill122250 Medium Load Member

    309
    91
    Jan 21, 2009
    Grafton, MA
    0
    Squatch

    with a 6 month old baby there are to many things you will miss if you are otr. That first step, first time he says dada. If you are on the road it will be mama. Think about things like that. remember money can't replace time with family. You will never see a headstone that says "I spent to much time with my family".
     
    bill122250, Aug 23, 2009
    bill122250, Aug 23, 2009
    #9
  12. Aug 23, 2009 #10
    squatch

    squatch Bobtail Member

    21
    2
    Aug 20, 2009
    midland, mi
    0
    Boy you all are making some very good points, which definetly doesn't make it easy. I've always said family and being home are number one. But if you are not making money you can't pay bills, and you don't have a home to come back to. I think I'm gonna take a few more days and think about it. I know its not easy for my wife not having me around so I'm thinking about her too. Too bad I can't have the best of both worlds. That's it I'm going with my back up plan, I'm gonna have to win the lottery. Lol. If only it was that easy.
     
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    squatch, Aug 23, 2009
    #10
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