Why would anyone stick with OTR instead of getting a local gig

Those are some awesome photographs!

I think are kindred spirits when it comes to being OTR. There's no place I go that doesn't have absolutely fascinating scenery for me. Being on a long haul is like taking a road trip, except I get paid really well to see magnificent things that folks only see for a week or two on an annual or biannual vacation.

This morning I drove from Kennewick, WA to Fallon, NV. I'm on vacation, driving a U-Haul van to California. I wish I brought my dash cam. Just before turning south onto US-85 from I-84 there was a factory with steam stacks exhailing PERFECT "smoke" rings, one after the other, big ones about 12' in diameter, backlit with the rising sun. I laughed out loud. It was so perfect, but no place to stop safely.

 

I couldn't stand the truck stop bathrooms..... 3rd world ####holes

 

I have a REAL problem with transgender bathrooms.

There I am, just having pinched off a loaf of momma's brick bread, then I flush...

...and the ###### toilet decided it ain't a toilet, it's a bidet!

 

Yesterday I worked 6am and was done by 2pm. It was a $200 day. I don't see how that is doing bad. Taking care of my two kids at night is more difficult then what I do at work. The winter weather in the rural areas is when it sucks.

 

I remember when you started this job. CDL grad. Looking at this because of your wife. She couldn’t run the snow blower etc. etc. etc. Weren’t crazy about this from info. You were hesitant to accept it. Now? You’re happy as can be with this job. That’s great.
I’m much happier OTR.
To each his own.

 

This is not my first local trucking gig. It has turned out to be the best so far. It offers the most consistent work, I have work no matter the weather..... It's not that way with dump truck. I'm even driving a nice truck now. This year I will be north of 55k, I am making quite a bit more then Werner would have paid me. I bet I'm out earning quite a few OTR drivers, the only ones making much more would be true owner ops and successful ones at that.

Remember I haven't seen a truck stop in well over a year, I'm also not buying food and everything else at those inflated truck stop prices. You have to subtract that from your earnings.

Regardless when I went to CDL school in the beginning I was interested in local work. I am meeting my career objectives, what's so bad about that.

 

Been truckin' 15 minutes and has the wisdom to tell us how we're doing it wrong.

 

Yup... I forgot about the dump truck. They treated you real good too. Just lack of work. There’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing.
I got fired from local. Unemployment didn’t agree. Said I was laid off. I had been driving for 7 years local. Company bought. After two months they got rid of me. Said: You just don’t fit in. I agree, I don’t. Only thing I wouldn’t do is take on the attitude. Wouldn’t put on the Incredible Hulk act. I still think back and laugh about them trying to get my route done. I’m not an idiot. I won’t become one just to fit in.

 

I will likely stick with this unless the market on milk completely collapses. It's not easy on my farms right now and that's a fact. They are getting 1980s prices on the milk I pick up. Historically speaking milk has been very steady work for a long time. I know one thing I want to stay local as long as my kids are young. I don't want them to grow up and say my dad was never around. I have two boys....mathew..7, and Noah... 10 months.

I idea of maybe someday AFTER my wife is able to retire taking her with me and traveling the country for a couple years on someone else's dime is admittedly appealing. If that were to happen I will have many years of driving experience.

I was able to take my 7 year old in the pool all summer. It's going to be 80 degrees so I likely will take him in today. I'm not looking for lot lizards either, my needs are being met....lol. By my wife.

 

**Giggles...**

You wont believe some of the things the public is doing wrong around us truckers. Remind me to pick up a freaking dash cam soon.