Dont go OTR if you have a CDL

If OTR is not for you. than stay home. McDonalds may be more your thing! I for one, make a good wage and love running the roads, Someone has to do it!

 

Thank you. I got into a disagreement with someone who was saying don't go otr for low wages.

I love running the road. I signed up to drive a truck for a living. this is my life.

I hate it when people say don't go otr go ltl. I ask why? I think otr is a great experience.

There's those people out there, along with the smart people who believe otr drivers should be payed hourly.

Ethan

 

I'm on the fence now, contemplating getting into this industry. The only thing holding me back now, is aging parents that are going to need my help. In my own personal situation, i'm retired and collecting a pension. I wouldn't work for free, but cpm wouldn't be a big issue for me. Everyone's situation is different. I might also add, that my house is paid for, and the only debt I have, is the $8k I still owe on my pickup truck.

 

I hear ya. You gotta do what you believe is best. That's what I did. In my living situation I make a killing at 32cpm. But I'm single, and live in a house that's payed for. All I pay is power bill and land taxes.

I have a lot of bills and some debt. But I get by and can still enjoy myself.

Ethan

 

I'm sure that a smart and business savvy owner-operator can still do well even in today's economy.

 

Here is a little info on Conway LTL,

I interviewed there, it sounds great, 18.00 except your ON CALL
you call in at around 9:00 in the morning, they then tell you if there is work and what time to come in, some days you sit waiting for them to call,
One day you may work the dock from 1200 to 1000 at night
next day you may run LTL to a different terminal in at 900 at night
then work the dock half the night at the other terminal before returning home.
next day you may do some P&D around town,
Yeah its a real treat !!!

Mind you this is when your a newbie, eventually you'll work yourself into a regular schedule, when the interviewer told me that might take as long as 8-12 months
I personally am not one to have such a whacky schedule ...

 

Almost every local company does this song and dance. It took 8 months with the Post Office before I had enough seniority to bid a route. I was floating around from spotting, etc.

 

I just love these threads...LOL! The world is moved by OTR Freight, not locals. Many of us make a nice living OTR and most of us love it. I'm OTR and home every Friday night till early Sunday morning. I'm home more now than I was in my 20 years in the Navy!

 

Ya know, threads like this would be avoided if people actually read the article. This was taken directly from the Conway link:

Would you look at that........... How many students fresh out of a CDL mill school have 1 year of experience? Come on guys, READ.

 

One hand washes the other. Just a side note, but more freight is moved by train than by OTR trucks.