Want to go OTR

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 74Chris, Jun 10, 2018.

  1. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You shouldn't have to pay for showers, they're usually free when you buy fuel.
     
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  3. TravR1

    TravR1 Road Train Member

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    Your company would probably welcome you into OTR with open arms. It's hard to find folks willing to be gone 1-2 months at a time. I think the norm is one day off for every week out. The linehaul guys where I am out easily do 6 week stints.

    I got home time coming up. So far I have found I'm excited to get home, the want to hit the road again after 2 days. A full week off feels long.
     
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  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    That is generally the secret to endurance. Decompress when it's time.

    Im like one of my older horses at lunch time when that mash is hot cooked and ready for the main meal of the day and it's dragging me straight to that barn to be first in the bucket at feeding time. (I should have barebacked it. Darn farm was like 300 frigging acres... be easier than trying to walk all that way.)

    Going home is the same. I cannot stand it. Let's go. Same in reverse when its time to GO.
     
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  5. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Man, you should totally go OTR....get the true experience out of it. I personally love OTR. You get to see everything, meet cool people, go cool places, and you get a new challenge everyday. Food shouldn't cost you that much out here, whether you buy it in the truck stop or go to Walmart and stock up. A lot of driver's think they are supposed to eat steaks every night when Wendy's will do just fine. Whether grocery shopping or eating at the truck stop, you should be able to plan your meals at $10 or less per day, with occasional splurges. The local is cool, but the true trucking experience is out here on the road and staying out 3 weeks at minimum
     
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  6. ulenie

    ulenie Medium Load Member

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    Dann 10day? What school is that?
     
  7. 74Chris

    74Chris Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the offer, but I'm going to stay with my company, I don't want to job hop. I just started receiving health, dental and vision insurance and 401K benefits I don't want to lose them or wait again another 60-90 days.

    So, update, I asked them about OTR and they said yes, except I have to wait until a truck is available. A 2015 Cascadia will be open for me around this September or October when one of the drivers retires. I can wait it out, it's only a few months away.
     
  8. 74Chris

    74Chris Light Load Member

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    Jun 10, 2018
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    My school was 14 days. The guys laughed about it at first and said that's not enough schooling, but I'm out here every day keeping up with them and driving safe. I'm definitely not saying I'm as good as driver as someone who has been in trucking for years, but I can hold my own. One thing I do need to work on is blind side backing, I try to avoid it as much as possible but there are a few docks I've been to and it's the only way to get in. I can do it, it just takes me a few tries and lot of get out and look. I've been practicing in the shop yard when it's not busy, I'll get better at it soon enough
     
  9. ulenie

    ulenie Medium Load Member

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    May 24, 2018
    Houston, TX
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    What school was this?
     
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