I'm not loco for going local am I?

Local depends on your area ! I’m in an area that anyone would be crazy to go OTR- other areas it’s the opposite.

I got done work at 11:30 am Friday morning (started at 5 am Friday morning) and I don’t go back until 5 am Tuesday. I haven’t worked 5 days in over a month now. I can make as much as I want. We have guys well over 100k . It’s there if you want it. Personally, if I don’t have it by now, working more isn’t gonna matter, so I don’t work OT if I can avoid it

Yes, I drive a 48’-53’ trailer in a major city. It’s tough driving. Takes a little time to get used to, but once you get comfortable driving in a crazy northeast city in America it’s pretty easy. When you get paid by the hour you take your time.

 

One of the funny things about the drivers I have known is that, even when paid by the hour, they get anxious when they aren't actually moving. You would think they would milk the clock, but that hasn't been my observation for the most part.

 

I guess I've been one of the really fortunate ones.

And keep in mind, there is no cookie-cutter formula for local work. Every company can and will be different.

As far as running into hours on a local gig, sure, I had my 11 hour days, but that was only on occasion, and I never worked weekends unless I wanted to (local LTL, so we worked customers hours). I averaged 9-10 hours a day for the most part. For my first few years, i had a 10:30 am start, but as I moved up in seniority, I ended up with a cushy 7:00 am start for about the last dozen or so years before I left there.

Where I am now, we cover much more territory with far fewer drivers (14 vs 70), but we're still able to keep our hours to about 42 hours/week.

Just do what it takes for now to get enough of what most employers consider adequate local time in, and move up from there.

 

Well, you know some pretty stoopid drivers .

I’ve seen those guys and I just laugh. What’s their reward for rushing around, skipping their lunch and getting done early? Less money?!?! No thanks, you can keep that reward. I don’t milk it, because I wanna go home- but I don’t run around trying to be the 1st guy back either. Those days are long gone for me. My day ends when it ends.

 

It's much cheaper and easier to get a different job than a different family.

 

sounds like you've already made your mind up, family always comes first though if the pays very similar local is always best.

 

Do not discount the commute time back and forth
To work. Plus your 10,11,12 hour day.

I count them all as hours worked.
Divide all those hours into your paycheck and most
Local jobs pay a dollar more an hour then the cashier
At the corner store.

There is no commute when your OTR, you wake up
At work.
Can you live off of a 40 hour a week paycheck.
Consider overtime a bonus,extra money.
Don't budget your bills on it.

What if they lose an account or things slow down
For a couple months and all they can give you is 40
Hours a week. Can you survive that.
It happens all the time.