3 Months at my first CDL Job

I'm currently on an OTR (over-the-road) trips from New York/New Jersey to California, with three stops in between, hauling LTL (less-than-truckload) freight as a team driver. While I truly enjoy being a trucker and exploring the country, I'm frustrated with the excessive waiting time for loads. Sometimes, I arrive in at my stop California early in the morning, only to wait until the next day for a new assignment. Days spent idle at truck stops like Petro feel like a waste of my time. Furthermore, I'm dealing with a personal hygiene issue - my trainer often goes 7-8 days without showering, making our shared living space uncomfortable as his odor is offensive.

Is it because it’s LTL that there is so much waiting? A trip that could be done in 5-6 days takes 8-9.

I know waiting is part of trucking but how can it be beneficial to spend days at rest stops.?

@Chinatown

 

Yes. I needed the expierence but 1099 is the way to go Chinatown. I did my research. They do give me health benefits tho.

 

Nope. But I talk to guys at truck stops. Companies don’t pay wait time unless it’s over 24 hours.

 

Thanks Chinatown. I will continue to do research and keep building up expierence. I appreciate you. I knew it. It’s after 2 hrs of downtime then pay kicks in. Idk why I was told different. All this waiting is burning my soul bro.