OP, you're doing a job that many would give their left one for, making reasonable wages and you're here on a trucker's site looking for life advice..... yup, you're as nutty as a tree full of sqirrels. Seriously... if you really want OTR go for it.
No you are not nuts. If that is what interests you then do it. You probably aren't going to make a lot more money then you do currently but there is some potential. Especially if you were to become a trainer or buy a truck. If you really want to make more money then drive team. I can see why you would want to go on the road. I personally am the same way. I don't even like regional or dedicated. If I am going to do it I want the full adventure! I get bored easily. I love to go different places and see new things all the time. Also like to experience the different climates and such too. So if that's what interests you then do it!
I live right near Indian Ranch! I just want to do something different. I used to run down to NJ 4 nights a week. I had a Volvo sleeper(2001). I loved that truck! They replaced it with a Mack Vision daycab in 2005. (I'm still in that truck). Now I deliver to supermarkets in the Boston area. I guess I'm just bored!
Hey, once that asphalt is in your blood you can't get it out! Kind of like methadone! No matter how frustrating, stressful, crappy it can be out there you still end up missing it and want to come back for more! I personally feel as if the world is passing me by while I sit at home. When you are out there over the road you feel as if you are part of the worldly flow! So no, your not nuts, just a truck driver!
^^ Very true! Check out my blog. It took me about 2 months before I started to miss running long haul. I've been local for the last 1.5 years and am going back OTR in a couple weeks(stay tuned for another blog ). Running the same old route is boring me out of my mind and I need a change, but will try different tactics this time around...to avoid getting burnt out like last time. Getting into a routine can be a bad thing sometimes.
I hated the worry of turning on a road to a shipper/receiver only then to find the "10 ton limit" sign. I hated knowing I could get the load there on time, but with only a half hour left in my day, wondering where I was going to safely shut down to sleep that night. Onsite? Would security pound on my door 4 hours into my sleep telling me to "get out"? I love my dedicated runs. The shippers and receivers are friendly because I go out of my way to be nice to them and make their jobs easier. I make them laugh when I can. I sympathize with them when days are rough and tough. I know the route, I know the times. I am home every night. I am salaried at $875 a week, after taxes (it varies but) it is about $750. That is for up to 11 loads a week, each about 3 hours round trip. After 11 loads the pay goes over the minimum salary. Try to take my job and you will feel the wrath of Mikeeee! hehehehee Mikeeee
The short answer is YES. OTR drivers don't really know when they are going to get another load at the destination, may lay over for days, more often than not, don't get per diem (meaning you will be paying for your room accommodations, food and laundry service)... I could go on and on but it's been covered. I was OTR with a reefer carrier out of Salt Lake City, UT (dare I mention who?)... I spent 5 months on the road with nothing but broken promises of a monthly home time, cancelled loads, defective trailers (they got me to fix the first one cause I hooked up to it and it was mine... door was off on the back) and the risk of ######, hookers and other lot lizards constantly waking you up at truck stops wherever you go not to mention the 'down on my luck' bums panhandling in the truck stops. I made the mistake of leasing a Freightliner XL Classic through them. I was, essentially, buying the truck for them while going broke trying to make ends meet. I would get enough loads to make payment but not anything more... sitting at a location for 2-5 days waiting for your dispatcher to get something was frustrating and guess what?... after you fill up, you may have earned one shower but sitting for a few days in a place like Laredo (dust bowl) Texas will make you bathe in a puddle just to get the dust off. You're Nuts... nothing wrong with that, we all are kinda nuts but Stupid?.... now THAT's what you might want to question.
Thanks for all the advise. I guess I got distracted by shiny trucks! I'm just frustrated . My truck is falling apart. Can't get it fixed. When my boss finally signs the agreement with Ryder,I'll get a loaner. But he's been saying that for 2 months.
