THIS IS TO ALL NEW/OLD DRIVERS..... (NOT AGE EITHER, HAHA!)

[unkut2003]

So I recently signed on with a regional trucking company and this is my FIRST time being away from home, my wife, and 3 small children! Were really getting nervous and scared that we made the wrong decision. So basically what I wanna know is...... How is it out on the road....REALLY? I wanna learn the goods, the bads, the life!!! Anything you can tell me about truckin in a regional or OTR position... I would REALLY appreciate it!!!!!!

[Uturn2001]

This is not the answer you are looking for, but life on the road is really something you just have to experience for yourself to really understand what it is like and to really know if it is some thing for you.

[josephjoe]

for OTR the good autonomy, ability to set schedule within reason/ delivery time frame. Ability to earn a decent living. You have the opportunity to see places you might not have ever seen. The bad Extended stays away from home. Typical truck stop shenanigans or not. Erratic Ship/Rec places late loads late pickups extended unload times. Stressed out Dispatchers. Accidents and weather. Fatigue/ Stress from dealing with all of the above. Just a few things before the more experienced offer their input.

[unkut2003]

Yeah, some of these things have came up in our discussions.... but being a "newbie" to Regional or OTR, we really can't discuss in lenght, if you understand what I'm saying??? But I can say this.... we have definitely decided NO OTR!!!!

With my driving record, having 6 points, (an at fault accident with no injuries and a few hundred in repairs...4 points, and 2 speeding tickets on my crotchrocket...1 point each, ALL in 2006) it seems almost IMPOSSIBLE to get a local driving job. Therefore I may have to settle for a regional one, which I have been offered by a few companies. We've got a couple more days to weigh things out before making a final decision. So..... I hope we keep gettin the great feedback here because nobody knows more then the drivers doing it!!!