Isolation and depression on the road.

I been screaming that OTR is the same as getting housed in isolation in a prison, for years.
Just think of how many people you actually touch through out your day. Consider how many people are sincere in their interactions with you when you do speak with them, IE dispatch, girl at counter when you fuel, people at the warehouse etc.
When your alone all day and the people you do see face to face are constantly out for their own agenda, it will wear on you...
I been saying otr is not worth it with out 100k a year minimum as a oo. 65-70k as a company man.

This isolation is the reason I will eventually change jobs and hang up trucking while I am still young enough to try something else...

 

I just read the truckers report and any depression I might have had just melts away.

 

This seems to work for me also.

 

Never--not once--in my ten years of OTR did I feel isolated. I loved the solitude. The normal junk in the world that got me down from time to time--I wouldn't say depressed--had nothing to do with running solo. Drivers today can keep in daily contact with their friends and family through things like Skype/smartphones/email/texting. It's possible to feel isolated in a room full of people. And as far as having to interact with folks who had their own agendas, well, I had mine: interact with them as little as possible. Then I got back in the truck and that was the best part.

Good question, OP.

 

Agree. Solitude.......... nothing like a cool fall morning going across Montana with just you, the scenery, and your thoughts.

 

I work four days a week and spend three nights on the road. No way would I stay out any longer. I spent many years OTR but even then I only worked 10 days or so and took a 2 or 3 days off. I leave home, do my job and go home. No downtime, that's where it gets depressing and every OTR company I worked for had some downtime. Some are better than others though.

 

Getting used to being alone is the easy part. The hard part is getting used to being alone.....

 

I couldn't cope with OTR. I'm regional at JB hunt with 5 on 2 off. Getting sick of this too. Going local soon.
I'm an introvert so I don't like talking on the phone or talking to other truckers unless they come up to me first. I just park throughout the day and walk in the woods, go exploring. I keep a bicycle in the truck and go places with that. Play on the phone a lot.
it is a very lonely job. I quit trucking three times. Sometimes it takes awhile to deal with it better and sometimes you just need a break from it. Hopefully local work will help. Regional with two days off is way better then OTR mentally. Wish you the best!

 

I was OTR most of my career and liked it for the most part.
Each person is different; I don't like crowds or idle chatter unless I'm online and can cut it off at will.
Never had a TV in the truck my whole career and very content with just a radio. Never watched a movie or TV in a truck stop lounge either.
Some people need lots of social interaction and some have no use for it.
Now, back to you, give trucking a try before you give up on it. Go with a good company that has APU's, TV, xm radio, refrigerator, etc. and hit the road. If you can't deal with it after a few months, at least you did your best and can then try another career.