Quick background... Got my A in November and got a local job driving a Class B tanker. I love the hours starting at 8 am M-F till 4 or 5 but I'm not sure if this will benefit me in the future. I would like to haul gasoline or do food service in a year but driving this truck won't carry over. I took the job in hopes of driving their Class A transfer dumptruck but it seldom is taken out and only the fleet manager drives the rig. The job is good bc I do manual labor such as digging on top of driving. I was thinking flatbed would be a good fit for me. I have no kids yet...only thing holding me back is my great girlfriend which makes it hard. She understands if I have to do this for a year to benefit our future but it's still a tough call. Should I continue my current job and go to a big construction company with Class A trucks in a year or go Prime flatbed?
road life is hard.....esp if you have loved ones at home. most of us that have been out here a long time would love you have a local gig.....make you a pros and cons list.....and make sure you and your girlfriend are ready to be apart, the last thing you wanna do is let being on the road come between you.
First you've got to know gasoline business is a 24 hour 7 day a week operation. You're on a small jobber outfit now but if you go into gasoline now some companies run 2 shifts. A day and night shift. They start around 6 am and go to 4 pm. Then 6 pm to 4 am. However, just about everywhere the drivers gets the chance to pick up another load ( for OT) and the shifts will run a full 12 hours. Sometimes the trucks will cool down but alot of times they don't. You slip seat with the other driver and hopefully you know him or her on want he or she likes and dislikes. You don't want a nitpicking dispute going off on who doesn't keep the truck clean etc. So after all that you may not like all the hours you work. A new driver will work weekends and most of the time a new driver will work the night shift. You see there's a lot to every type of driving and it even changes within itself. Go ahead and gain some experince because it will help. If you want to go flatbed then after some time you'll have a better idea.Then when you decide to make a move really plan out the move and never leave a paying job to look for another. Good luck.
I say if you feel you've got a quality woman and doing it will risk damaging your relationship in ANY way then it's not worth it.
You may want to consider "regional" it will keep you around the house and keep your relationship strong....OTR is difficult and I understand your desire to do more talk to your current company about the class A vehicle stay on their back and it should pay off
Beau.. There are companies that wll allow passengers on the truck for Significant others/spouses..if she's willing..take her along. if not..then think hard..discuss it at length..and above all else..RESEARCH research research. you've got a class A..there are multiple typesof local, regional/ltl, or otr.. Things to consider.. What are you making a month income wise now vs what you may make incomewise a month as otr or regional or haulin gas If its less can you afford the pay hit. Does she want to go with you Do you want to have to tarp and chain in freezing cold winter weather.. (why I never drove or want to drive pullin a skateboard...you see I'm a skinny fugger that freezes in my house if the heat is on 69 degrees) Can she handle you being gone 2-4 weeks at a time? Who handles the finances of the home..if its you..is she willing to take over that responsibility.. if the answer is no to any of those but the last one..then no..don't go otr Family and the possibility of future family should come first.. Now if you dream of driving over the road and its all you ever wanted to do..then you are in a pickle and how you work that out I have no good advice for ya.. On a personal note..I'd never drive a tanker full of gas either..one stupid 4 wheeler and BOOM!!!..no thanks..LOL Petey
Good responses guys. We actually don't live together and I've looked at the regional positions at Schneider and Werner. However, I graduated well over 90 days ago which may pose a problem. If I have to go out for two weeks at a time it's fine bc I'll be moving out of my place and staying at hers on my hometime. I get very nervous being out there alone... Getting lost, difficult backing situations, and health. Other than that I have no issue. I would rather not go OTR but after a year I'll be set.
