Can I get 3-4 weeks off as a trucker?

I'm thinking about becoming a trucker but I need at least 3 weeks or 4 weeks, at the most, for time off in the summer. Does anyone here think that if you have good relations with your boss, that he can, or will, give you this time off in the summer? I want these weeks off for hiking and recreation, cause, you know, you only have one summer a year.......and I would gladly work my butt off to demonstrate that I'm a good honest worker, so.........what do you all think? Can't I just say that hiking is one of my greatest passions besides road travel to my boss? After all, it would be only for that time of year, I wouldn't ask to give myself free breaks all the time......I just wanted to throw this out there. So what do you all think? I understand that some truckers get time off like when a baby is born and many other things urgent like that..... but for hiking? I've thought about many other jobs that I could take up but I really think I would be a good trucker, or at least I would try it out and see if it's right for me. If any of your (to all the people reading this) bosses had to make a decision about something like this, what do you think he or she would say? And it's just 3 weeks. 4 at the most, but if not that, then 3. Ok Later

 

I don't see any company allowing you to do this. If you were an owner operator I could see it happening. If the reason was national guard and you needed this time off, I think the companies are mandated by law to let you off, but I don't think any company will let a tractor just sit for a month.

 

Considering you'll be working for a Canadian company most likely, that would be hard to answer for myself. I think most decent companies wouldn't have a problem with three weeks, if that was the only time you took off for the year. I would not expect to be paid though. A company I used to work for in PA gave their drivers a week off during deer season, and it didn't count as their vacation. The earlier you put your request in, the more likely you got your preferred week.

Remember, when that truck sits, it cost the company money. You might not get your full hiking time the first year, but you should get it the second year. Once you get some experience, you could buy a truck, and take whenever you want off, though experience dictates you take less time off when you're paying the bills.

 

If they do let you off don't expect to come back to the same truck you left. Personally since you will traveling along the highways and bi-ways I would think you'd want to spread that 3 or 4 weeks out to a more year round schedule.

 

3 to 4 weeks off! I doubt many companies would go for that.
If that is a yearly "must have" then trucking may not be your line of work...

 

Well I was working for a company that used TLC as there hiring company and they kept track of all miles, taxes, and insurances. I went part time before I got off the road and their policy was that any driver had to work at least one day out of the month or they would terminate you. Dont know whos rule that was but? It will be very hard to find a company that will allow that. Just be up front with them before you hire on and make sure if they say "ah yea no problem" that its in writing.

 

We are allowed to take "unpaid" leave as long as we notify our dispatcher fairly well in advance. We are not guaranteed to get the same truck back. Generally, will end up with a piece of junk for 3 to 6 months before getting a decent truck again. Just got back from two week cruise with my wife this morning and called my dispatcher. He said I would get my same truck back if I get back to yard tomorrow. I have a great dispatcher who has driven as a company driver and an OO.

 

Most good paying companies have a vacation policy. 1 week after 1 year, 2 weeks after 2 to 5 years, 3 weeks after 10 or 15 years and 4 weeks after 20. You just have to put the time in to get the time off. It all depends on the company. Most small companies think vacation is when you go home for a day. Just look around.