Most Home Time

In a nutshell, yes. Or at least less than the average driver.

I busted my butt when I was younger. And have just recently (last 5 years) gotten to the point of having everything paid off.

It's amazing how little money you need, when you have no debt. And live in an area that has low taxes and a low cost of living.

The vacation part.... I take those as the company doles them out. I'll get 2 this year. Otherwise that week off is spent taking care of honey-does at 2 households.

My "issue" for the most part. People seem to fail to understand, or simply forget WHY we work at all.

I work so I can enjoy MY life, now and later. Not so other people can enjoy my efforts.

 

If you have a wife and/or elderly parents/relatives. You'll be going to work for the rest. I can't rest when I'm home, too much to do.

As an example: Right now, I'm finishing my morning coffee. Been up a couple of hours, just got back from the vet.

One more cup, I'll ride over to my moms. Spend an hour or so there. Then to my uncles, an hour or so there. Then back to my moms...for an undetermined amount of time.

TODAY --- I will move equipment to the attic of my uncles barn. Re-arrange my mothers living room for a hospital bed, move out 2 chairs and a tread mill. And move other furniture around as she dictates.

THEN, sometime today or tomorrow. I will drive her 150 miles to the hospital. Based on her schedule, and no one else's.

If I'm lucky, my wife will allow me to sit on my butt wednesday or thursday. But I ain't holding my breath.

 

You're still going to get opinions.

It is an OPEN forum, allowing ANYONE to enter and comment. Whether or not YOU LIKE it. If you didn't want opinions, then do not post. You'll get what you paid for, at ANY truckers website.

Many questions by wannabe's ARE dumb.

Wannabe's think that the trucking industry is perfect for them, because as you stated, you "like to travel, you like to drive". Then the same wannabe's think that they can have all the time off in the world, all because they are special with a family and need NOT to pay thier dues in this industry like so many of us had to.

I wish you well, but that "big yearly salaried job" you spoke of that who, your dad works for(??) ain't gonna happen to you as easily as you think, PLUS there IS MORE to that job then you know about. Do you really know ALL THE FACTS about that job you want???

And if it did, do you think you're still gonna get all the time off you demand right now??

All those days off, and NO INCOME, I do not see where this will pay the bills. You are not clearly thinking if the wife loses her job, becomes sick, whatever. Right now, you are living a pipe dream.

Good luck wannabe.

 

Go and apply at every LTL outfit within driving distance from your home. Get on and you will be home at reg. hours and make more than you ever would by running OTR.
When you are home every nite like me and sleep in your own bed and eat your meals at your kitchen table instead of crap sold as food on the road, you will be 10 steps way ahead of the game. I would even take a 15 buck an hour job driving a box delv. truck before i went back OTR. Also apply at every Beverage and grocery outfit

 

Maybe once you get some experience you can find a smaller company to run for. I work for a 15 truck flatbed outfit ( a few walking floors as well). I am home 99% of the time by Friday morning and usually leave Monday around 7 am. I have the option to go home 1-2 nights a week (I don't).

With the hometime I still average 850-950 in the bank a week and maybe one check every 2-3 weeks being over $1100 in the bank.

There is plenty of companies out there that can fit your needs. Just don't get sold on the first company that sells their lies to you.

 

There ya go Tiger! That's the spirit! Don't let these mean ol' truckers get all up in your business. I mean, you only asked for opinions and you got some. Fight 'em tooth and nail. Make 'em bleed!!! You'll make friends in no time buddy.

 

I would not proceed any further with your dreams of driving! If you are concerned about home time this is not for you. You aren't going to make any money being out for a week. These hometime benefits these companies promote is just to get you newbies to orientation. A professional driver knows that you will not make money if you aren't staying out there at least 6 weeks at a time. Everytime you go home your pay gets messed up for three weeks!

On top of not making any money, these companies utilize the guys who can't hack it. If you want to be home all the time your dispatcher is going to use you to do everyone else's grunt work. You will spend 98% of your time delivering and picking up everyone's load. The drivers who want to drive and stay out will be used to run the loads the distance and dropped in a drop yard. You will be running 50 miles back and forth to drop yards loading and unloading all of these trailers. Sometimes you can get loaded/unloaded in a couple hours, however you can also sit there for 10-12 hours waiting.

Let's do a little truck driver math.....

Your a newbie so you will be getting paid approximately .32 a mile.
.32 x 1000 (1000 miles will probably be the absolute max if you are wanting home every 5 days.) so .32 x 1000 = $320. Does that sound feasible to you?