Hi everyone, new here and looking to start new career in trucking. Just have a question about schedule type. Being a new driver right out of school, I’ve read that most likely I would be looking at an OTR job more than likely and get good experience doing that kind of work. My question is this, being a family man, is it unreasonable to think I could get an otr job out on the road 4-5 days/week and at home 2-3 days for a reset? I know this could be dependent on several circumstances but is this doable or wishful thinking and not how it really works. Thanks in advance
Wow -- you really ARE new...aren't you? CDL jobs like that are mostly REGIONAL jobs -- usually out for 5, home approx 2 -- & repeat. Tell us where's your city/state...& what CDL endorsements you have (if any)...& the Forum will help you find something. -- Lual
A lot of these companies are out six days, home for a 34-hour reset. Not sure I've ever seen an ad for 4 on/3 off.
The company I drive for has 5 days on and 2 off at the house every week. They run regional so shorter run basically. They have 7 days a week driver and you do 34 reset on road every week. They also have 4 days on and 3 off but then you have to share truck with another driver. Other driver will drive the truck when your home and you drive the truck when he's home. I can't really recommend the trucking company but some get you home every week if you want to
Depending on your location, there may be some local jobs that pay well and can be home every day. Where is your location; state and nearest town/city? Do you have endorsements?
You could have a chance to be at home on the weekends, depending on factors. If you choose to run flatbed, there are companies that will send you home on the weekends. Most flatbed freight is M-F daytime hours.
Running dry van or reefer, can be a bit more challenging to get the schedule you want in the first year, maybe even beyond that depending on the company. You'll never find a shortage of CDL holders wanting local or regional, but there will always be a demand for OTR guys.
Which is the worst of/in every world. Would you need to spend an hour or more sanitizing every surface on the truck before driving again? Do you pull out your bedding and have to spend even more time making up your bunk every week? How about the trash the other driver leaves behind for you. I could never slip-seat.
Hah…yes very new…been following the forums for a few weeks but started acct today….Recently out of mil and about to go to cdl school, so no endorsements yet but am probably going to get tanker and/or hazmat unless that is ill advised…will be based out of denver. Not really concerned about weekends or any of that and am willing to drive the hours and “put in my time”…I know the job can be testing on a multitude of levels so I know somewhat what I’m getting into…but as I understand alot of otr drivers can be doing their resets on the road while waiting for other loads…just was curious if some companies try to focus on getting you home for those reset times. Thanks again. btw The 2 schools I’m looking at are sage and united states truck driving school but both have like a 2 month wait…any thoughts on which may be a better option?
Roehl has a 14 on / 3 off. Sometimes it might be good for me to get away from Big Maude for 2 weeks. Of course, she'd likely beat my never nevers off the second I rolled in from being away that long. And, the chores she'd have lined up! Second thought, I better stick to my day gig.
