Choosing an OTR starter mega-carrier for a travel lover with no family ties

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When I started 25 years ago, I enjoyed a lifestyle like you describe. Seeing the country through your windshield is one thing but, if you intend to get away from the truck throughout the county, the two biggest things are size of the terminal network and time-off flexibility. I loved to get away from the truck for a few days in different places, rent a car, and stay in hotels. In most cases, you need a safe and secure place to park your truck. As for time off, back then 1 day off for every 7 out was pretty standard, but I see companies offering several different options today. If you've got the freedom, both from home ties and financial obligations, you can make life on the road quite the adventure.

 

The above is (in part) why I earlier suggested the Swift (and Knight) idea.

Their combined terminal network for the most locations is probably a pretty tough one to beat.

--Lual

 

Don't count on time off at terminals. I would avoid terminals. They usually have some garbage loads no one that's assigned to that terminal wants, so you get them. The terminal manager simply calls your terminal manager and says he needs you for a few days and it's a done deal. Happens all the time.
I've seen drivers leave their truck & trailer at another terminal for a couple of days. When they return to hit the road, the trailer is gone. The terminal where you parked needed an empty trailer and took yours. Perfectly legal, it's a different terminal, but still the same company.

 

I looked at Jim Palmer trucking. They do/did haul a lot of freight for Prime, Inc. Both companies had a similar "home-time" policy. Essentially you earn 1 day off for every week you work. I think you need to stay working for at least 4-6 weeks. You can work longer, but back when I was considering them they limited you to no more than 7-10 days off, no matter how many days you earned. You just needed to tell the company what zipcode you planned to take home time and park the truck in a place that met certain conditions. Your home time did not have to be the same spot as any previous/future home time. It could be a different place each time.

I also started as single and no family commitments. Don't make promises about how long you can work without a break until you start doing it. I worked the first several years with a virtual guarantee of being home every weekend, with voluntary exceptions. Even single drivers need time off. My last trucking job I worked for 14 months with one 10-day period off for Thanksgiving in 2020. I worked 10 months straight after that Thanksgiving. You will go crazy if you don't get out of that truck.