Time off: can I save up hometime?

Any company out there is more likely wouldn't let you keep the truck sitting more than 5 days the most.I have never heard a company letting a driver to keep a truck sitting more than 4-5 days,heck there companies not many but there companies that required there truck to be left at a yard or terminal even if you are only taking 2-3 off.Don't forget those trucks are money makers for companies so you gotta think it that way.

 

For me I wouldn't care if I had to slip seat. Companies might be more accommodating in that situation.

 

Tha magic number is actually 8.75 hrs per day. You can work 8.75 hrs per day 365 days per year, never need a reset, and never violate the 70 hours in 8 day rule.

Lets clarify something; A 34 hour reset is an "option." We are still governed by the old 70 hour/8 day rule or 60 hour/7 day rule (depends on how many days of the week your carrier operates).

Remember once you reach that 70 hour thresh hold you can no longer DRIVE. You can continue working. You can work the dock, hook up sets, break em down, do office work etc.

Now to answer the op's question; It will vary depending upon the carrier you work for. Most companies do permit 1 day off per week out but may want you to park the truck at a terminal while you go home. This allows the company to use your assigned truck as well as keep it secure while your'e at home.

Some carriers will want you to clean out the truck when taking more than 3 days off (slip seat operations) while others will let you keep the truck and take it home with you.

 

You could work 8.75 everyday without taking a 34 hr reset, but why wouldn't you want a 34 hour reset?

 

Because you would be sitting around twiddling your thumbs not making any money.

Road drivers turn and burn when the miles are there. If they run out of hours then the 34 hour reset is an "option."

The best situation is working 4 to 5 days per week and get home for the weekend. This would permit a 34 hour reset and give you a semi normal life.

 

This is the main reason I quit Swift. I like to stay out a couple months, then take a week off. They required the truck cleaned out and turned in. On 2 occasions, when I came back they did not have a truck for me. First time I figured mistakes happen, but the second time I went looking for another job. I played by their rules, and they screwed me anyway. Game over.

It can be done, but only at certain companies. Look into Conway Truckload. I know they allow drivers to "bank" as much time off as they want, and you can take (I think, if I remember right) a week off without turning the truck in. I also know they hire newbies. Just a suggestion, I'm sure there are others. It would be a good question for you to ask when researching which company to go with.

 

This ... I've taken trips with as little as 3 hours left on my 70. Go a 100 miles down the road, shut down and wait for midnight when my recap kicks in and start rolling.

If you go into OTR with the idea that you "get" and take a 34 every week, you will label yourself as a slacker with the dispatchers.

 

Don't you actually run more miles on average by running out your time each week as opposed to recap?

 

Are you serious! That's crazy! What if you got a restart out on the road being stuck in a hotel, waiting for your truck to be fixed. Hmmm.. are you sure you understood them correctly, that's just crazy or maybe a new "boss" you had and didn't understand.