Have you made a career of doing otr

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by ronjeremyjr, Aug 9, 2020.

  1. ronjeremyjr

    ronjeremyjr Medium Load Member

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    Have you done otr your whole career and do you like it?. I ask as I have done otr for 2 years and I don’t want to do it anymore. Between all the time away from home family friends. I have a pending application with a gas tanker company and I’m going to give it a try as I will be home more frequently. Just wondering if the vets like being on the road a month at a time or did you want to move onto a regional job where you could be home weekly.
     
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  3. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    I’m 27-28 months out, OTR. The mistake that I made was only taking 20 days of Hometime the first year. I think that kind of set the stage for burn out. I have learned a lot about the psychology behind being an over the road trucker. Yes it’s true it gets in your blood, yes it’s true after you go on home time you missed the open road. There’s just something about it. That said, eventually the fact that you have no social life, almost 0 interaction with family, and the total isolation will eventually get to most people. You must and I mean must make time to smell the roses in this position or you will burn out. Unless you’re just from a rare mold.

    I’m about to hang it up myself. Just tired of going back to the yard for the company I work for and sitting there for two days at a time with no idea when I’ll leave again, tired of them skipping over all my home time requests and conveniently forgetting, Coupled with the above stuff it’s just worn me down. Yes, I like the $1400-$1500 weekly pay checks (before deductions) And I doubt I’ll make that much again at some other job in fact I know I won’t, but what’s the point of making $1500 a week if you spend all of your time inside a tin box? At some point you’re gonna ask yourself that.

    So all that said, in my humble opinion you should use truck driving as a means to get to another point in your life. Maybe to start a small business, pay off debt, move into a different career, whatever it might be. But very few will make an entire life out of this.
     
  4. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    Regional jobs are everywhere. Home every 7-10 days. I think OTR where your out there for 30 days or more is best suited for a single man / woman with no kids at home. OTR is good for the loner type.
     
  5. Scooter Jones

    Scooter Jones Road Train Member

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    Most people (I've met) that spend 90% of their working lives in a 6' X 8' cubicle, away from home, chasing mile markers are a little off kilter.
     
  6. Elmobre

    Elmobre Bobtail Member

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    Is OTR usually required to gain experience before going regional?
     
  7. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    I have done local and I've done OTR. I much prefer OTR. I didn't have a social life with either lifestyle. When I am on a 34, i do stuff in or around the truck, drink, or watch sports/movies. When I had a local gig, and I was home every weekend, I did stuff in or around the house, drink, or watch sports or movies. As you get older it isn't that much you'll get into with your time off. I've had friends come and go in my life, based on the season of my life, OTR or local. I found running local was a little hard on me, because I had to commute, 100 miles round trip. Then when the weekend came, I barely could do any business around the house. I do have a family, as do many OTR guys. Its case by case and what your flavor in trucking is. It ain't really a right or wrong path in this industry, it's just finding your niche that best suits your needs. If you want more money, you'll have to give up something. If you want more time at home, you'll have to give up something. Very rare you get it all. The adventure of OTR, going different places, it appeals to me. Its therapeutic lol
     
  8. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    My simple answer is LTL - meet and turn runs that have you home daily. Worst case, in a motel one night, home the next.

    Terminal proximity may or may not make this feasible.

    Can’t blame you for being tired of your position.
     
  9. Redtwin

    Redtwin Road Train Member

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    I tried local after 2.5 years of OTR and didn't really like it. Sure it was great not having to worry about finding parking after dark, or waiting for a shower, but the commute, lower pay and slipseating in some truly nasty trucks took the shine off that.

    I'm back doing OTR after being laid off my local job due to corona and I don't want to do anything else.
     
  10. Old_n_gray

    Old_n_gray Road Train Member

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    I am not meet and turn but I have a 5 day bid, two days in a motel and $2000 a week. Line haul is where the money is.
     
  11. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    I've not hit the road as of yet. But even now in my life I'm more loner than social person. I can happily watch some good movies TV or play video games vs interact with people. Don't spend a lot of time with family. In fact my only real good social interaction is with my better half. I do love her. So I'm taking her on the road with me. We can take home time anywhere we want while I'm out on the road. And explore new places. It allows us to save away a lot of money and retire in the next 10 years or so.
     
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