Who's been in my place?

I have been otr for 3 months now the hardest was the 8 total weeks away from home that includes the 4 days for orientation and 5 and ahalf weeks with a trainer and 2 weeks solo before seeing home. But I guess it will prepare you and your family. I have a 4 year old daugther and 12 year old son at home. My wife also works full time. At times it can be hard but between my parents her parents and daycare the kids have somewhere to go. Be prepared for the wife to brake down on you at first. It's more stressful for her than for you. I would say after 3 months of the routine everything calms down and falls into place. I'm out for at least 12 days and then home for 2. Swift policy is for every 6 days out you earn a day but you have to stay out for a minimal out 12 days. You have to have a mental strong and fairly independent wife for this to work. So far it's working out for my family.

 

It's hard at 1st driving with kids but the longer you do it the more it gets easier. You will miss holidays and specials evens anniversaries etc. so it will be rough at 1st. Getting through the house will be usually on weekends but depending on route during the week but don't expect that. Use Schneider to get your experience then move on there is way better companies but you need experience to work for them. Do not I repeat DO NOT get into a lease purchase deal with them you will only make as much as a company driver and have more of a headache. When you get at least 1 yr. you will be able to get a local job also if your serious it's a good living takes a toll after awhile just hang in there like anything it has it's ups and downs and don't let those super truckers who forget they wasn't born with steering wheel in their hands get to you.

 

I got the same type of gig. I leave the house around 5am. Usually get home between 7-8pm. I've been working my local gig for about 3 weeks. I like it much more than being OTR because when I'm out of hours I reset at home and not in a truck stop. I work 5 on 1 off. On my day off I spend the entire day with my little guy.