I guess my question is do OTR companies exist that allow you to have some time to yourself during the week be it at home or in the cab relaxing.

I am afraid of getting burned out if working too much and not able to see about a day a week of light at the end of the tunnel then back to the grind.

Would any of you be so kind that are OTR drivers lay out a typical work week of hours you are driving and hours you have to yourself (home or in cab)? That would help alot and if you could name some companies known to be respectful of your time needed away from working would be good too. That would at least give me some companies to talk with and find out more about.

 

Kevin, Sealord was basicly saying as a new driver you will be hard to get a job where you drive for 4 to 5 days and off for 3. As you get experence those types of jobs comes open up to you.

 

What you will find is that you will drive around 10 to 11 hrs a day and then take your 10 hr break and then do it again. Trucking is a whole diffrent world than what you are used too. It is not you typical 9 to 5 job when you are OTR. Most companies will give you one day off for every 7 out. Give or take some. Some are better than other as far as time off goes. There are some drivers that get the "GRAVY" run and don't have to run real hard. But, as a new driver, you will have to pay your dues in order to get that gravy run. Some get lucky and get it right out of the gate but most have to earn it.

 

When I was driving, while on the road, I amde time for my self. After Driving the 10 hours and before going to sleep, I would go get something to eat, talk to others about almost anything under the sun. Then I'll go and get the 4 to 5 hours of Sleep that I can and then get up and get either BReakfest lunch or supper pending on the time of day, then get ready for the next 10 hour drive.

I'm not a sleeping person, If I do sleep more than 5 hours, I'm either burned out or Sick. Here lately I go to bed around 12 midnight, and up at 5, last night it was 3AM and was up at 6AM.

But to answer your question the company does not really care what you do providing 1. It's legal 2. does not cost them money, 3. you get the load to the receiver on time. If you stop by the road side and fish, go for it, providing you can legally. If your layed over in AZ, take a shuttle bus to the Grand Canyon.

 

I went to school got my CDL quit a good 19 hr steady job, started driving for a local company did the 6 week training got my assigned truck a 96 pete, work was very slow only brought home 300 a week and was home 4 to 5 nights a week, so I opened up my area to get better pay, it went up maybe 50 to 100 a week, and I was working 14 to 16 hours a day, when I was home I was so out of it, it was like I wasnt even there. What I guess I'm trying to say is yes truckin is a life style these guys are telling you about, it's not just a job, the job is your life, or atleast until you do your time and pay your due's. AND BEING a TRUCKER is a due's payin job. dont get me wrong I loved it, and dream of it every day but my family comes first, and them and truckin dont fit. I wish I could get my 5k back from school but its one of those lifes leasons. By no means am I trying to talk you out of it, JUST BE DAMN sure it's what you want to do. drive/wait/wait/drive/sleep/drive

 

I don't understand the question. :?

Work is Life, right :?:

Or better yet, what is Life :shock:

I'm SOOOOO confused :cry:

 

I apologize for all the questions. I do have another how on earth do you make your self sleep every 10 hours? Seems like that would be difficult.

 

Hehe :lol:

I read through all the replies so far and I better think hard about this career change. Alot of good replies, thank you.

 

Truck driving is NOT like most jobs. Several things come into play as to driving. The number one I'd say is it is 24/7 job. It isn't a type of job where you go to work at 8 and go home at 5. Yes you are limited to driving 11 hours then you must take 10 off. Before someone says something. I know rules on split time but lets keep it simple. OK

The problem comes in because the company wants you turning the wheels all the legal hours you can run. When the wheels are not turning it is costing them and you money. A good company will keep you moving as much as they can. However, they have to work around shippers and receivers hours. So they have to work within the customer's times. So a lot of time is wasted because the shipper may only accept trucks in the morning and the receiver only takes trucks in the afternoon. This causes your starting time to be shifted during the week. You might start the week starting at 0600 and few days later you might be starting your day at 1800 or maybe not till 0000. It all depends on when the pickup and delivery times the customer wants.

This may go on for anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks. When you take 2 or 3 days off. There are very few driving jobs where you drive for 8 - 10 hours and go home and start your next day at the same time. Then take 2 days off. These type of jobs are prime jobs and they normally go to drivers with years of driving experience.

You said:

While some say it it isn't a lifestyle it's just a job. I happen to think it is a lifestyle and very few can adjust to this of job. I'd say this is one of the major reasons there is such a high turn over rate in drivers.

I know when I can in from off the road I spent the better part of the first day off sleeping and doing very little extra.

Only you can decide if you think you can adjust to a different style of job. As I said before very few can.

Yes it is hard on the both the mental and physical well being.

I'll close by saying if anything compares to driving it would be being in the military. Where you work 12-14 hours a day. Ever then most military jobs you report for duty at the same time everyday.

kc0iv

 

NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE
NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE
NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE NO LIFE.............. DID I MENTION NO LIFE?