Can you deliberately arrange for a layover?

Just curious how the industry works. Suppose you have a route to California every 7 or whatever days. If you want to stay in California on your off days, are their instances when this can be arranged? Are there companies that will try to accomodate this kind of thing? Do truckers do this?

 

Yes, many/most companies will allow you to take your time off wherever you want. So long as you have a safe place to park your truck.

SRT, doesn't even require a safe parking area. CFI requires a exact address and contact numbers. Watkins & Shepard, require a terminal

Many times, I have munipulated loads to gain an extra day in an area I wanted to get out and about. Most times I just simply got in town earlier than needed, or requested an extra day to deliver.

 

I'm counting on it. That's the entire reason I want to learn to drive a truck. I'll never get out and travel otherwise. I'll never see anything or meet more people if I don't. Travel is expensive and time consuming. Most people talk about doing it "someday". But most don't.

Suzi

 

I used to complain about laying over a lot (another company). But the truth is, it depends on where I am. Certian places require folks to call me and ask "Where are you?" LOL

I may drive a truck. But, reality should tell you that you/I do have a life

I love going to Laredo, TX and Calexico, CA. It only cost me $25 to get across the border and back in Laredo, and I simply walk in Calexico. Most drivers balk at that price. But hey! It cost about $1200 for round trip airfare...I saved a bundle. And I get a whole lot of Christmas shopping done

 

Thank you and Thank you! LOL. It's nice to see someone admit that there are some positive aspects to the job.

I come from a little different place than a lot of people. I have spent my life with a few hundred kids over 20 years time. I have heard a lot of kids say they are bored. Boredom is a state of mind. There is so much to do and see and think about in this world. There's so much to listen to, day dream about and experience. No one should ever really be bored. Erll..they shouldn't stay bored. I'm bored with my life a lot these days. So I'm taking steps to change that. I'm trying something new every week and I'm learning something new all the time. I'm making plans for changing my life positively. We can't sit around and wait for someone else to make things better for us!

It kind of sucks that a person isn't getting paid while waiting for loads to be ready or trucks to be fixed. But a person really should be ready with something personal to do during these times. These are the times for living.

Suzi

 

Congratulations on getting up, out, and moving! I find myself in the same boat after four years on the same job and more than 20 years in offices. Now I'm saving up for the big change...

 

Its harder than you think.
If you are an owner operator you can take time when you can afford it.

 

Unfortunately, if you breakdown in some middle of nowhere hole, there may not be much living to do around there (except for getting drunk and happy). And if you are under a load (and trying to get rid of it to get somewhere) then you maybe preoccupied with getting fixed and down the road. So it sounds really great, but reality can (and is) very different.

Now, to the original point, Yes, most OTR companies don't care where you spend your hometime, as long as you notify them in advance of what you are thinking of doing. And, as the other drivers said, some companies have special regs about what/where you can park (esp if you are under a load).

 

Well..it's all about being ready for all contingencies. I've been wanting time to read most my adult life. I LOVE reading and it won't be hard to stay in material. I come from a big family of readers and we trade our books back and forth.

Besides.. reading helps keep the brain sharp. Don't truck drivers need to stay sharp and keep away alzheimers and sinility that much longer?!

Suzi

 

When I was running 48 states, and my wife was riding with me, we planned our layovers quite often, and would park the truck, rent a motel and a car.