Some advice about sucess in trucking.

Terminals cost money to maintain , extra fuel would be needed to go off route to them and driver hours would be wasted .
If turnover bothered starter companies they'd do something about it . High turnover results in a constant supply of cheap trainee drivers .

 

I would say that most folks coming out of truck driving schools wind up with the companies that keep them out for weeks at a time! I don't see that many companies hiring drivers out of school that get them home weekly, much less monthly. It ticks me off to see a company that thinks a family man coming out of a school should be gone from that family for months at a time!
Some of you don't mind mind being gone that long, and that's great for YOU, however you are the exception, most folks want to be home!
Rick G, you said, "f turnover bothered starter companies they'd do something about it . High turnover results in a constant supply of cheap trainee drivers .". WOW!
Jack

 

From doing my research, the companies tell you from the bginning how long you can expect to be out. I noticed there are companies that can and do get ou home a couple days a week. If that is what you are looking for, why don't you go work for one of those companies! Because there are a lot of regional run companies hiring, just look for them.

 

The catch is, drivers want to be home weekly and make big bucks. It is possible to be home weekly with companies that have regional drivers, but the pay is usually a little less. Sometimes if it's a dedicated route, the miles may make up the difference but you never know. I choose to be out 3 weeks at a time, as that seems to maximize my miles. When I get a little closer to retiring I will probably find something local or regional, but right now I prefer the OTR.
However if anyone can find me a job making what I make OTR and get me home nightly, sign me up.
There are many aspects to trucking, you just need to do the research and go into it with your eyes wide open and make a choice of what is best for you.

 

I got 1 hauling produce from MD to NY. Paid $815 per load. 550mi round trip. Did 5 loads in 5 days. 4k a week. They are there. And in this case for a season.

 

From what I have heard from both drivers and recruiters, there are truck drivers that do NOT go home for MONTHS at a time, they can be out for 6 to 9 months at a whack.

My question is this: If this is true, is it legal, even if the truck driver wants to be out this long a stretch of time?

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

It's legal.

 

If a truck driver does stay out for 6 to 9 months at a whack, how much home time can he or she expect if he or she does request it?

 

for the most part you can stay out and go home as much as you want within reason, you wont make as much money going home often.
There are some who stay out that long since they live on their truck. Ever seen some of those huge sleepers? normally people who just live on the road, some normal drivers do too. I have a family and im trying to see them at least once a month, im going to try and look for something more local soon, either from the company im with or someone else, only issue is lacking enough experience for some of the companies.