Returning to the Wide Wacky World of OTR.

After 15 incredible years serving as a firefighter paramedic, I’m excited to return to my roots in the trucking industry. Stepping back into the driver’s seat feels like coming home — just with a few more miles of life experience behind me.

Public service taught me discipline, resilience, and the value of being there when it matters most. Now, I’m ready to bring that same dedication and professionalism back to the road. Whether it's delivering goods or lending a hand when needed, I’m proud to be part of the backbone that keeps America moving.

Here’s to new roads, old passions, and the next chapter in the journey. Let’s roll!

 

THANK YOU -- for your many years of faithful service, as a first responder !!!!

CAUTION: It's pretty nasty out there right now -- in many places.

-- L

 

You're going to find a lot has changed. I did OTR from 2009 and until I retired last year. Just took a trip towing my daughter's car from California to New Orleans ... even in that year a lot has changed.

You now have ELDs. Driver facing cameras. Pay to to park is more common that not. A lot more trucks on the road, a lot. Truck stop food has gotten more expensive and the quality has gone down.

On my road trip there was a new One 9 truck stop in Gallup. Pulled into a motel next door at 3pm and noticed that truck stop was already full.

Good luck.

 

I’ve decided to return to my trucking roots and just signed up for the Paschall Truck Lines (PTL) refresher course to get back on the road.

I know PTL’s been around for a while, but current info seems a bit scarce. For those of you who’ve driven with them recently — can you help me get up to speed?

• What are the trucks like these days?
  
  
• Do they come with fridges, inverters, or APUs?
  
  
• How’s the overall experience been for you?
  

Any insights, tips, or honest feedback would be greatly appreciated as I ease back into the driver's seat.

Thanks in advance, and I’m looking forward to rolling with the community again!

 

With your background, why not go back to school and get your RN?

 

Others already said ELDs will probably be the biggest change it true. You can’t change parking spots unless you log something or to the ELD roll(5mph) driving in truck stop. Paid parking is a pain. Carlisle PA Petro is like 80% paid parking.
Lots of truck stop that had restaurants close during Covid and never open back up. They are not 24/7 like they were and lots of restaurants got replaced with fast food. Some of the prices are kinda crazy like Popeyes Chicken.

 

You’ll need those paramedic skills to help lower your BP on a daily basis, after 15 years away from this rat race, good luck, rethink your options. I’m in year 23, the current environment doesn’t mimic 2010 in the least. Sorry to be the Debbie Downer, but I’m sure a lot of the old hands like myself would agree.

 

Because we medics don’t like to ask permission to save lives

 

Well I got fired for a safety violation myself. I was accused of backing into a building. I know I got close, but, I still don't believe I hit it. Anywho, I got routed back to the terminal 13 days from Christmas in 2020, I knew what was coming. No way to get home, no good paycheck, no one to help. I had to go back to public safety.

Was this you from about 2 or 3 years back now?

 

Yes this was me for a short time I went back to the road. Didn't last too long.