Enjoying the OTR life but miss being home.

I had a friend who started driving at 21 and he stayed out for months at a time. He also saved just about every $ he made during that time. When he turned 28 he decided he was ready for a local gig. So he did some research and ended up with System Frieght local out of Syracuse NY. They even helped him relocate and once he settled into his new job he bought 75 acres with a house and couple old barns with the money he saved while OTR. He now makes about 50k a year with no mortgage and has a beautiful young family. I wish I was as smart as he was when I was 21 and went into life with a plan. If I were the OP I would start thinking like this and worry about hobbies and toys a little later in life.

 

i've been doing otr for 2 years now and the lifestyle is abit rough for me too. i love fishing(saltwater mostly. but will fish for whatever)and havent touched a pole in 4 years now. after losing my local job, couldnt afford it anymore. so after 1.5 yrs not working, i came back here to swift. last year i dedicated all my extra money to pay off all my bills. now i'm debt free. it'll get better as you adjust to the lifestyle and get solo. hang in there

 

Iwant2driveallday, man I know how you feel. I tried otr and it does take a special person and my hats off to them. I hated it but it was mostly missing my family, although I missed standing on the front of my boat fishing pretty bad also. These guys are right about sticking it out, I just landed a local position but not without wearing my shoes out and several interviews later. It's tough finding someone to give a newbie a chance with only a few weeks otr. Best of luck and if you start looking you can find something, but it is tough.

 

No need to wait a year. If you get your Hazmat and doubles endorsement you can get a local city or Linehaul job at YRC, Holland, or New Penn. Which ever in your area. They hire with no experience. It's hiring season. Pays more then what you are doing now and home more or daily.

 

Man your doing a lot better than most 21 year olds out in the world today. Just look longterm, save your money and take it day by day, week by week. Enjoy your time with your family but don't sweat all the extra stuff. If you keep up the hard work in 5 years you will have a nice chunk of change saved up, find you a nice spot and get a local gig. But to each is own good luck bro.

 

I guess it takes a while for most people.
I've never been homesick as long as I've lived, even when in the Navy and gone for months. Two of the cruises were 10 mos. & 11 mos. respectively with only a 30 day gap between and still didn't get homesick.
I guess it must be rough though for those that suffer it.

 

I would do anything you can to stick it out a year or so where you are. It's not the life for everyone but being a new driver limits your options, being 21 limits your options more and if you quit now being labeled as a job hopper will limit you even more. It's a tough road but save your pennies and you will be sitting good once you have more going for you.

 

Go get married! You will still get homesick less often.