How to Deal With Life on the Road?

One day at a time...you might find out trucking isn't for you...one day at a time.

 

Otr is best suited for single people who dont need to be around family or friends. Not recomended for married people with kids.

 

I not to sure this statement is correct. I personally do not agree with that. 90% of the drivers I meet over the road are married with kids and providing very comfortable lives for their families by running otr.

 

OTR is best suited to people who are providing for their families. I'm married 3 kids, 10, 5 and 3 and I've run OTR for 9 years. Not all women will put up with it but mine does and she doesn't complain about the checks.

 

Years ago I was active duty in the U.S. Navy, (1984 to 1992). Deployments ranged from 6 months to 9 months.

OTR trucking reminds of these deployments. Some of the sailors had strong marriages regardless of the separation times. Other sailors ended up in divorce court due to the separation times. For the OTR truck drivers, it all depends upon the individual OTR truck driver and his/her spouse.

There really is no cut and dried answer.

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

There is no secret sauce, if you and your wife can deal then you will. If you can't you will quit OTR, it's that simple. No amount of phone calls, text or Skype will replace home time. For me, I can't imagine another life. I basically do whatever I want as long as i make my appointments, sleep when I want, eat when I want, dip when I want, listen to what I want etc. .I love OTR. Plus you will never take home time for granted, every month you get excited to come home.

 

the thought that everyone has 9-5 jobs is the recipe for marriage success is just wrong
it is what you make it just like everything else
one guy works for us lives paycheck to paycheck
another has a 20 acre farm all paid for
both make same money
plenty of homes/marriages survive and thrive with husbands away working
wives work nights husbands work days lots of less then ideal situations

good jobs that make it worth the sacrifices of being away from home are important too

 

There is no "one size fits all" answer to your question. You and the good wife are the ones that have to decide on what is best for the both of you. Separation is the number one stress on any relationship, even more so than money. I did 8 deployments in the Navy, all between 6-11 months at a time. I was one of the lucky ones, as my wife was in it for the long haul. But there were more shipmates than I can count that had a Deputy standing on the pier as the ship pulled in, waiting to serve divorce papers...... (most navy veterans on here know this).

Trucking is no different. Although the time away from home is shorter, the frequency of saying "good bye" will take it's toll on a lot of marriages.

You have to find out.