Truck Load Rates Halt 8 Week Slide 2.0

OTR is a lifestyle for loners and people seeking social seclusion. It is their escape from otherwise a mundane stationary life where they don't find much pleasure. I understand it but don't subscribe to it.
I find mostly disturbing and debilitating when staging at trucks stops in between loads or appointments. It is all right to be there 8-10 hours but the way those schedules work is that you have to sit and let time pass by.
I'd rather find long haul loads & drive 1000 miles a day but for that they need to get rid of 70 hours per 8 days limit.

 

Agreed. I'm glad the money is good since my wife (teacher) and kids are back to school. Nothing to do for me but to work. I like this semi-retirement . I work when I want to, which is a lot of the time but I do two things which keep me centered. First, I start off the month with a goal. This month I've already made it and then some so I may or may not go out this week. Depends on the rates.

I really like to hit it hard at the beginning of the month with a goal in mind and then decide what to do after I make my goal. Occasionally I break that down to the week. If I'm good by Wednesday to Thursday I point for the house.

I'm thinking of a week/week and a half with my son in the Colorado mountains in early October so I'll probably hit it hard again as soon as September starts.

 

It's called old age.

 

My trailer I was picking up has a mechanical issue so now I'm stuck here until Monday, where as I would be pulling into the yard where I keep my truck just about now for a few days at home.

Last night I cried all night into my pillow of loneliness.

 

Man I'm getting that more and more Steve. It takes me a day to recover. I'm worthless that day. Good thing is the next day at home I'm usually so behind I put it in high gear. I crack myself up and how routined I am both on the road and at home. I guess that's old age too.

 

I think that's more maturity and discipline. Cause you know if you don't take care of things while you're at home, they're going to be on you're mind for the next week or two until you get back.

I think this also contributes to the fatigue factor, because you're rest days from driving are spent at a whirlwind pace doing chores.

 

I think the term OTR is a bit general. I consider myself OTR but I like to get home every weekend. If not OTR then what am I? I might get 1,000 miles from the house and back over 4-5 days so I can't call that regional?

I have no idea what to call the guys that can do 3-4 weeks in a truck but two words come to mind, crazy and desperate. Two other words are 'low expectations'. Sorry to those who actually like it.

 

Yes that is the other side of it that im learning as well. Trucking is like a huge balancing act of making enough money but also getting enough rest to keep from going bat #### crazy

 

I never mind staying in my truck to be honest. When i was a company driver i felt like it took me 3 weeks or so to get in a groove to where i could start making consitent miles and money, id always put in for home time around 10 weeks or so... now that i can control when i go home . Think ive been home less than 5 times this year. And my latest stint, havent been home since early may...i really dont mind being in the truck. It is home to me as sad as that sounds. But now that ive found a nice area i like to run, ive been looking into getting a place up here in montana.