a real wannabe/newbee question - how does home time work?

When I worked for Schneider I got home when I wanted and my DBL would ask ME when I was returning to work. If I didn't have a kid I'd still be driving OTR. I miss it!

 

OK, I'll bite. What's a DBL?
(I have an idea, but never ran heard that abbreviation).

 

I think it means Driver Business Leader.

 

I can speak in terms of Swift's home time policy. A week or more in advance of when you want home time you send a message on the truck's Qualcomm computer, noting the date you want home time to begin and the zip code where you want to take home time. You can take home time anywhere you want.

After making the home time request it is then up to the planners to find loads that will bring you home on time or as close to that time as they can. There are no guarantees. It will depend on freight availability and scheduling.

Once you've been driving solo for about 3 months or so, and have been a productive driver, then home time might also include the ability for you to drive the tractor to a secure location at or near your home. However, usually you will be required to park the tractor at a terminal.

Having the ability to ask for home time anywhere in the US can give you options to visit relatives, friends, or simply have vacation time somewhere.

You don't earn money during your home time, so bear that in mind. Taking lots of home time will definitely cut into your income.

 

I had been meaning to ask, Lepton1, you had mentioned in another thread staying in touch with people you met on the road and for most drivers, captives on the truck reservations (truck stops), they meet exactly ZER0 people outside of trucking. Now I think I understand what you meant.

A buddy who drives for Knight does the same. Runs, runs, runs and then will take a few days somewhere with MT to chill out, recharge, time out. Does not have a real 'home'--his mail goes to his daughter in Denver. He's footloose.