Am I the ONLY one that actually wants to go OTR?

I do not have a clue, I don't even know how many trucks they actually run out of houston. Lynden is union here, and I think the tacoma terminal is too, not sure about houston. They do run OO's to edmonton too.
Caryle also has a small terminal in houston, ran teems to edmonton, the last I knew they just ran three company trucks out of there, but that was 10 or more years ago, when I would run with them guys some. they actually had a pretty sweet team gig.

Right now might be a pretty good time to give them a look, They are claiming they are hammered with freight for the next years or so, I do not know how much of it will come from houston, but a lot does.
I know too, that they brought at least one retired haul road driver that was driving for them out of the lower 48 last week, not sure what terminal he was working out of.
Alaska west one of the nonunion companies under the same owners, also ships a lot of stuff out of houston, at least to tacoma. I don't know if they have a terminal their or even any company trucks, but I know oo's that haul broker loads for them out of houston.
I know caryle is suppose to be slammed with freight this winter too, much of that may very well be coming out of the houston area, so they may be adding some trucks to the houston area , if they haven't already.

 

You'll only make that mistake once.

 

OTR is all well and good if you desire sights and ever manage to find the time well more power to you however I like many drivers wanted decent pay. If I can make more money being home more times then being out OTR 90% time why do it you can have the better pay and be home on a reasonable time. The inflation of the cost of living has gone up over the years but the pay in a lot these companies haven't especially the mega-carriers who prey on drivers sit at a shipper over 2 hours and know they won't be seeing another dime. My time has more value I could be using it to visit with family which worth a lot more hell even fishing time worth more to me than sitting at a dock there are local jobs that you can still make decent money LTL comes to mind any of the reputable one's old dominion, Estes, I am sure there's more but those come to mind first.

When I retire from working I will be selling my land and heading for Alaska I love hunting, fishing been there before it's different say the least only state I won't go to is Hawaii beautiful sites but dam everything is expensive though some things in alaska can be too.

 

You know, every year folks will walk or ride bicycles up the haul road any more. they have to walk right through major bear country, and will sometimes walk or ride by less than 100 even 50 feet from a grizzly or three.. They have to camp inthe vicinity of them too. I would think their ticker would be doing some heavy duty pumping while they are passing one. lol

Note The people that walk or ride bikes up there are not the type to carry any sort of gun. lol
One ogfthe guys walking pushing a cart this year disappeared for four days, the troopers were looking for him, he finally came back to the road, and told the trooper he had just laid up for four days because his feet were sore. lol

 

Oh, this is good!

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed 6 playing you all. ####, this was fun. I don't know the reason, but do know it was fun watching.

 

you are not the only one. I'm 9 months in with a mega driving OTR and its what I chose and I love it (except for the few things I hate of course)

when I was in orientation it was a huge class of about 40 and I almost everyone was regional.

I live in the truck and prefer to work 6 days then restart on the road and get back to it. Good times.

 

[As usual] This man is correct.

I’ll add to it this way. I made my first trips cross-continent in 1962 riding with my parents who loved travel by car. Before I was out of high school i had seen 46 of the 48, much of Canada and Mexico.

The Interstates are correctly likened to railroad. Best grades for commercial freight. Unlike Germany which chose the most scenic routes for the Autobahn.

There once was a great deal of variation across our country. Food, dialect, services. Now, with television, divorce and forced long commutes — plus national chains forcing ordinary Americans out of their local businesses— the variations are gone.

The same retail repeats every nine miles.

Yes, you’ll see changes in geography, attendant plant and animal species, etc. But even farming and ranching has been turned into a giant factory. You’re just driving across the factory floor.

I like OTR because now I’m old and there’s no one at home. Internet, etc, makes for distraction.

I do think a year of OTR should be a minimum for a driver. Deal with weather, delays, etc. That’s all to the good.

But much more than that for a young man is too much. Life slips away.

Believe me that there’ll be a day as you’re rolling along and you’ll notice families at a softball game. You’ll wonder how things passed you by.

It’s true that children don’t really need their father around until they’re 9,10,11 years old. Don’t buy the alternate story. You might be able to sock away some cash, then equity when they’re young.

But first you need friends, family, church & marriage.

You really won’t see much from the big road. Don’t believe that story either. But you’ll see enough for the change you want.

What you’ll mainly see is what’s hidden from civilians: how things work.

If it’s trucking you want, you REALLY need to start to figure out WHAT trucking. I’d aim at heavy haul or tanker if I was young. A set of skills that in this job give respect and better pay.

I’d also look to a medium city in the Midwest that’s close enough to major freight lanes. That’s ALWAYS going to be the best area due to manufacturing and population density.

For now, don’t worry over money. Worry over timeliness, daily discipline of equipment & hygiene, decent food and an ideal (perfect) record.

You’ll have a few minutes each day to yourself. It’s what we all enjoy.

 

What’s all this western states talk? These are the only states I know of. Lol