Class A Redi-Mix Driver Wants to start driving OTR

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4434085]Hi Krang, I apologize. After being here a year (almost) there's just a never ending stream of drivers that have local jobs that want OTR, and OTR drivers that want local jobs. It seems you just can't win with advice. I'll admit, mixer is a tough job. OTR is a lonely, boring job (although social media has helped) and your marriage will surely suffer and is usually the last resort for newer drivers. The turn over is remarkably high. Local P&D ( pickup & delivery) would be much better, but you may have to move to big city for that. Best of luck.[/QUOTE]

Hi "Semi" retired. I read your first reply to my husband. He laughed, but we both agree that over the road isn't the best either, at this time he is out of work, in - he doesn't have a job, but most of the time he was working, the company he worked for was probably the worst company I personally have ever seen in the treatment of it's employees. He started the job with high hopes and after three years plus he has been beaten down and humiliated to the point of no return. So now he feels his only option is to hit the road and get the experience that he needs to try and get something that doesn't have him gone for weeks at a time. Is any thing in life perfect though? No, it is the attitude that you have as you go through life. That is what I think. I don't expect that OTR is going to be great, and neither does he all we are hoping for his that he gets into a trucking company that at least acknowledges that their drivers (as well as customers) are the reason they exist. It is a mutual benefit for every one to be happy. My husband has heard horrors stories about how horrible it is being an OTR driver and he is already dreading it. I hate that only the bad seems to be told. Isn't anyone happy with the job of truck driver, isn't their any perks or good things about such a job? I love my husband and want him to be happy in his work, since he is the one that is having to do it. So I joined this hoping to find out what companies to apply to and which companies to avoid, what to expect on the road; actually this site has been helpful, and I really appreciated all the comments from men and women who have been there and done that. So anything else you can offer up will be appreciated too. I noticed that you have been on the road for 35 years. That is a long time to invest in a job. How did it affect your family life, assuming you are married with children. My husband has talked to a couple of OTR truckers while he was working as a redi-mix driver and they scared him away from OTR driving, but now that he is unemployed and needs work he feels that he has no options, he is 52 and was in construction and carpentry for most of his life, but physically cannot go back to that, so he got his Class A and then found the local driving job. Anyway it looks like this will be a whole new chapter in his life and our life. You have been most kind to respond to us and our questions. Thank you- Krang1

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4434466]Hi Krang, I was mostly a local driver, but don't let that fool you. My hours were what killed my marriage and family life. I'd start at midnight and many times wouldn't be home until 3pm, and have to get to sleep to do it again. I missed birthdays, holidays, school plays, soccer games, bar mitzvah's, you name it. Now that you narrowed it down, saying your husband is 52, that kind of changes things. For an older guy, it can be a good job, but it's really a crap shoot as far as companies go. Some have great results with a company, while others have a terrible time. If you can go with, that's even better. I've found, it's best to talk to a driver of a certain company, and get the real scoop, not from a friend of a friend. If that's what you want to do, listen to Chinatown. He seems to have the most level head in these matters. For me, OTR was never an option, as I had many hobbies and 5 acres of grass to cut and a farmette to maintain, so I had to be home every day, even if I only got an hour to do some of those things. Many times, I would skip sleep, (or maybe get 2 or 3 hours) so I could attend certain school activities for my kids, and believe me, that was rough. I think an OTR driver got more sleep than I did, and to this day, I still wake up at 1am. Again, best of luck.[/QUOTE]

Semi
thanks for the advice, we will definitely keep it in mind as we proceed.

 

We will try that TransForce, thanks for giving us that lead. If he gets a job that will allow riders, I will go with him once in awhile. We don't like being apart either, but sometimes life doesn't give you what you want and you have to make the best of it and have a good attitude. I will always support him whatever he decides about this. Really appreciate all the comments and advice that everyone has given. This is a good site.

 

Thanks a lot for that lead.

 

I do appreciate you taking the time to write and give me your opinion and advice, but I am curious why have you continued as a driver for 29yrs. I am truly not trying to be rude by asking, I am curious as to why you would be a driver for so long when you have such a low opinion of the work, the wages, the time with family, etc. It seems many truckers have experienced the same as you have described but continue to do the work. Sometimes I wonder why anyone would want to be a driver. I have asked this question before, is there any truckers that like the work and have been treated well by their company, and got a decent wage? Or is that just not possible in this industry.