Home time?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ironfeather, Aug 23, 2016.

  1. Ironfeather

    Ironfeather Bobtail Member

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    Aug 8, 2016
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    Hello, so here's my question I have searched these forums and haven't gotten much of a good answer. I have been looking at two companies (Prime and Jim Palmer) so when I am solo I might be bringing along a small parrot. Depending on the truck. Also I really don't have much of a "home" my family is in the process of moving to another state. This is one of the reasons I want to go into trucking.

    Anyways my point is sometimes I will have no mode of transportation other than my truck for home time or time off. I have been told you can take your truck with you for home time and then I have been told you can't. Could someone help shed some light on this please?

    Thanks
     
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  3. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Most the drivers live hundreds of miles from the closest terminal they work out of which is why companies provide transportation to the terminal for orientation.I have yet to find a company that won't let the driver take trk home or park it at the nearest trkstop.But you're not allowed to drive it for your personal use while on home time.
     
  4. Ironfeather

    Ironfeather Bobtail Member

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    Aug 8, 2016
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    So parking it say at a camp site is alright?
    That is about the closest thing to my "home"
     
  5. NavigatorWife

    NavigatorWife Road Train Member

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    My husband leases his truck from Prime. He brings his truck home and usually has to drop the trailer at another location. We do have a small truck stop in town and Walmart, so if he does have the trailer it goes to one or other of the places most generally. He usually prefers to bring the tractor to the house if possible though so it makes it easier to clean out his refrigerators and cleaning, but our road is a dirt road so it is not always feasible for him to bring the tractor down it, esp after we have had rain.

    If you are going to stay at a campsite, I would find out what if any restrictions they have. You would have to drop the trailer at another location that Prime has loads going out of. His usually goes to a Michelin, and then he either pickups another one from there or another location on his load going out.

    When he was at USX the drop location was a load going to Walmart in Cullman, but that ended up getting ruined when they started using lumpers. Sometimes before that though, he would even bring the trailer home then.

    Some companies don't like you driving over 50 m for hometime from your last load dropoff. In the case of lease drivers it is a little different.
     
  6. Ironfeather

    Ironfeather Bobtail Member

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    Aug 8, 2016
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    Thank you. That helps a lot.
     
  7. tucker

    tucker Road Train Member

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    most places you can take the truck home with you, I doubt any will let you use it to run errands.
    Doesn't sound like you need much home time, maybe just get a hotel room in Vegas or wherever when you want time off
     
  8. Rusty Trawler

    Rusty Trawler Road Train Member

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    Remember, everything's negotiable
    Tell a company that you're looking at several job offers but being able to take the truck home is a big part of your decision.
    Play a good hand of poker
    You can always fold if you need to.
    Remember, they're playing poker too.
     
  9. Rusty Trawler

    Rusty Trawler Road Train Member

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    I can't even tell you how many times I've called companies and they've said this cpm
    I hedge, grow quiet, sound disappointed and tell them I've had several offers for better and I'll have to think about it and get back to them.
    2 out of 3 times they offer me another penny or two.
    I can always go back and agree to the original offer
    The job ain't going anywhere.
    When looking for a job, be the dog, not the tail.
     
  10. Ironfeather

    Ironfeather Bobtail Member

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    Aug 8, 2016
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    Thanks, I didn't know the market for drivers is so huge. I had to basically compete for my current job out of thousands of applicants.

    I'm sure it is a little different if you sign a contract with them to have them pay for your school. I'm not sure tho.

    Home time is really just time off. I'm single with no kids. The only thing I might need to do for sure is pick up my Nutrisystem food and bird food from a PO box LOL other than that I can go anywhere they will let me.
     
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