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

CFI driver posted they used to hire all over Florida, then started only hiring above Interstate 4. Maybe now none in Florida. That's ok though, plenty of good choices for you, especially if you attend TDI in Sanford.

 

CTL Transportation will hire you from a private cdl school.

Tampa
5619 E. Columbus Drive
Tampa, Florida 33619

 

Too much money for so little work? Is that good or bad?

 

I wanted to be an OTR driver when I first got into this, but I was only 26-27 years old and that wanderlust kind of passed and I wanted something more long term not that OTR couldn't be, but I don't know I don't mind going away, but I like being home too plus I have like 40 years of work left in front of me so it's a marathon not a sprint. I like to get out on the road I do, but I also like being home, I work for a company now where I'm mostly in the city, but every now and then they cut me lose and I get to do some regional stuff and that's good enough for me. But if I was you, why not I'd go for it, you're almost at the finish line where me my self I'm just passed the starting line were on opposite sides of the spectrum.

 

Yes, and no.

 

I will say this being a tourist in a car on a trip is not the same thing as driving a truck, bus, expediter cargo van.

There are times where I go, oh the scenery is pretty, but usually this is not the case, usually I'm looking at traffic, looking at the clock, thinking about where I have to go, how I am going to get there, what I'm going to do when I get there, what trouble is going to occur once I'm at the place.

You're not going to be gallavanting around some city taking in the sites on your way to an industrial park, instead you will be looking at signs and exits and trying not to miss the road, because the major difference is, in a car you can pull in anywhere and turn around, in a truck not so much. So you're at work doing a job and paying attention to getting the job done at least to me it's just not the same.

Now clipping from city to city yeah that's different, oh there's a cow, oh how nice there is a barn and a rooster. But, once you're in town it's different you're focused on being safe and getting to your destination and spot, where am I going? Can I park there? Do I need to park at a truck stop or rest area 50 miles up the road and then set out in the morning to my final destination?

There's the little nitty gritty like that. Then you know you get to some stupid place like the Pilot in Brecksville, Ohio and it's small and crowded and parking is limited and it's oh do I attempt to back into this spot between two trucks and visibility on both sides is almost zero. One time I made the mistake of getting fuel at that place and there was an OTR guy trying to shoe horn into a spot and there wasn't much room and he was having a time, I wouldn't have been any better and I thought lord help him, he needs it.

 

Drove for 12 years, the majority OTR, if I went back to trucking it would be OTR so no, you are not alone.

 

I hold a steering wheel 8 hours a day,
2 to 3 times a week I actually have to Walk to the
Back of the trailer and open the doors.
Then back into a dock,
They pay me 30 bucks for that hard labor.

I fix nothing,
I pay for nothing,
I never ever touch any freight,
I have no idea how much the price of diesel is.
And couldn't care less.

Have no idea how much any repair bills are,
And could care less.
Make 80,000 grand a year,
Take a week off whenever I want,

No dispatchers,
No ########,
No cameras,
Nobody from the office ever calls you,

Pile of money in 401k,
Full healthcare,
Profit sharing,
Come and go as I please,
New truck,

What more can I ask for:
You tell me if it's good or bad.

 

I was the only one in my class who wanted to go OTR. They all wanted the grubby little jobs where I live. I make more money than a states attorney in my town.
I love OTR.
The OTR prayer:
May you be out of town.
A half hour before.
The devil knows you’re there.

Oh BTW... Florida? Billybob’s Alligator Eatery will hire you. But don’t apply. Their drivers disappear.

 

i'd say follow your passion, i did about 12 yrs....been all 48....america is beautiful....however, i had no problem living a "gypsy" life style....i'd be in truck for months....."whereyever i laid my hat was my home"....i was divorced, children grown.....i came from 9 to 5.....now ready for local again, after 14 yrs in profession....nothings for sure but change......it's no leisure ride....there are no shortages of irritations, etc....but an honest passion assists with tolerance......ultimately, you won't know until ya hit that road.....ima say also tha pay, escalating regulations, rules, etc aren't worth it, for me, just personal preference.....too many carriers don't pay enough, however, i'll hit tha road again( plenty of america left to see), if i don't find something home daily....just be honest with self.......be safe