flow of the matter

You don not have to drive interstate to be a driver. There are many companies that run locally or regionally that hire drivers straight from school. Its tough being gone so much. I missed the first year of my daughters life because daddy was out on the road. That put me under a lot of stress as it was stressful enough already. Don't be so dead set on OTR, have you been to a truck stop?..You know what they all look the same no matter where you go. People would ask me "Did you see a lot?" "Yes I did, lots of road, ugly wherehouses, and truck stops!" The road loses its romantisicm after the first couple of weeks. If you want to do OTR thats cool its just REALLY hard on family life. It is also expensive out on the road. Meals, tolls, scale tickets, laundry and showers can take a big bite out of an already meager paycheck. Do what thou whilst...shall be the whole of the law..VM-out!

Comment By:
VM on Thu, Feb 08 2007 @ 7:05 AM [EST]

Your going to have a tough time of it out on the road. For some company to pay for your tuition you will be over the road and gone for long periods of time. At best it will be 14 days out and 48 hrs at home. If your girl friend is having a problem with you just being gone for school, she will really hate it when you start driving. If you want home time, find a different line of work. Any company that promises 2 days home after so many days out isn't really telling it like it is. You get 48 hrs. That 48 hrs starts when you park your truck, not when you get home.If your in by 1800 on Friday they will expect you back in the truck and ready to roll by 1800 on Sunday. Not leaving home at that time. It's called welcome to the wonderful world of trucking! Rest assured it will be nothing like recruiters tell you.Even VM with his whimpy 9 to 5 wanna be a trucker job will tell you what us real truckers go through!! Sorry VM, I couldn't resist that one!!

Comment By:
Roadhzrd on Fri, Feb 09 2007 @ 6:00 PM [EST]

Thats a good one Rdhzrd..No love lost brother..And no Lennut I am not sore at you either..I look up to both of you as mentors..If there is one thing you can't say about VM is he didn't pay his dues on the road..Let me say this..With a CDL you can be a garbageman, water truck driver, drive a low-boy, drive a mixer, and other things without being gone so much..I know because I drive local..Tis true what Rdhzrd is saying when starting out especially since you are 21 and a lot of companies want you a tad bit older before they hire you. Trucking is a 24/7 job that requires you being gone for extended periods of time. Its like the post office it never stops..Search around though THERE ARE LOCAL JOBS AVAILABLE...You just have to do some digging..VM-out!!!

Comment By:
VM on Sun, Feb 11 2007 @ 4:14 AM [EST]

Hi Scott, I couldn't resist adding my two cents to your blog. I have been a driver since 1973. It's really up to you what you make of it. If you burn yourself out, you will do so by not taking time to check out some of the places along the way if you run long haul. I have been fortunate enough to see some of the places in this country that tourists take vacations to see. Remember, as a driver, time management will become one of your skills. Use it to help you relax at times along the way. Best wishes and happy trails! otr@cdldiver.net www.cdldriver.net

Comment By:
Loozlugnut on Wed, Feb 14 2007 @ 9:55 PM [EST]