Help me survive another year OTR

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by red70tvhs, Jun 7, 2021.

  1. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Are you at least planning an exit strategy? That alone should make you happier at work, knowing you have an out.
     
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  3. Scooter Jones

    Scooter Jones Road Train Member

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    I'm surprised no one has used the old "trucking is a lifestyle" line on you yet.

    The answer seems obvious, to me at least, nobody can tell you anything that is going to assuage that internal grind and dislike for the OTR occupation you've developed.
     
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  4. red70tvhs

    red70tvhs Light Load Member

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    I do have an exit strategy, even the ideal 9 to 5 normal hour driving job lined up for an internal fleet. I'm just not sure if I can last that long.
     
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  5. red70tvhs

    red70tvhs Light Load Member

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    Its not that hard. The past year it hasn't even been an issue. I'll take a non exempt load west, turn around on an exempt load so I never run out of hours. Before, I'd have the 70 gone coming into day 6. Usually around 42 or 4300 miles. 72mph Truck with coast to coast runs. I usually park with less than 30 minutes left on my 11 and roll as soon as the 10 is up. I also primarily drive at night. Less idiots and hold ups. If you split the day right, you can get 13 hours driving logged and cover over 900 miles each day.
     
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  6. red70tvhs

    red70tvhs Light Load Member

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    I don't like to go anywhere really. Covid canned our vacation last year. When I go home now, going anywhere is a chore. I have to make myself go do anything I enjoy.
     
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  7. Mototom

    Mototom Road Train Member

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    That’s my plan and I’m in the same situation.
    Play comedy shows on the radio.
    Call your family and keep the conversations light hearted.
    Stop caring about the company and care about yourself.
    Take 12hr breaks. Why? Because do something you enjoy for a few hours and get 8hrs sleep. The 10hr break is bs not enough time.
    You NEED to separate a part of yourself from the driver part of yourself every night.
     
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  8. red70tvhs

    red70tvhs Light Load Member

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    I didn't figure. I'm pretty good at managing my own demons when it comes to jobs. 6 years military, did a few of my younger years as a rough neck in natural gas before it died in my area. I'm getting older, I feel older than I should and roughing it out is getting harder. But, I've only been at this for 3 years. Many people with more time than me, so I thought someone might have a tip or two, however unlikely.

    I've got friends who love the lifestyle and after a week home, they're ready for the road. The second I get home, I dread the inevitable return.
     
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  9. red70tvhs

    red70tvhs Light Load Member

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    I've tried that but I end up guilting myself for not moving when I can. It's not pressure from the company, they're so nice and accommodating it's ridiculous. I'm pretty sure I could crash this truck in their dispatch office and they wouldn't fire me lol. I wouldn't do that, just saying. I guess my thought process is if I'm trapped in the truck, I might as well make money vs sitting in a truck stop or rest area.
     
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  10. Mattflat362

    Mattflat362 Road Train Member

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    I remember sitting in front of a TV in 2000 or so. I was in uniform watching Beavis and Butthead and dreading going in to the jail (I was a Cuyahoga County Sheriff corrections officer). I knew if I didn't leave by 11:00PM I might as well just resign because it would be yet one more call off/late show.

    11 came and went and the next day I resigned.

    No point really other than I feel ya! Once I get sick of something it is hard to reset....actually impossible.

    If finances are OK and you have HAD it...then just bail man.

    You will never ever look back on life and regret being done with things you don't like.

    You can always go back at it years from now.

    I know when that night came for me it was out of my hands. My body would NOT get up and out the door to go babysit a bunch of grown arss men acting like little baby girls.

    I swear that job felt like doing a life sentence 8 to 16 hours at a time.
     
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  11. red70tvhs

    red70tvhs Light Load Member

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    I understand. I worked as a CO for a year. It soured me to the point I haven't even considered returning to any branch of law enforcement effectively turning my degree into a useless decoration. Lol. I never wanted to drive a truck, I just had a cdl and needed a job. Here I am three years later back being miserable for a paycheck.

    I'm strongly considering selling my Camaro. I've got about 10 grand worth of equity in it. The wife takes her license test in July for RN. She just graduated. Once she started working we'd be fine financially until I found something.
     
    JoeyJunk and blairandgretchen Thank this.
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