Taking your truck home

Let me make myself clear here, I am in no way shape or form trying to scare you away from trucking. What I am trying to do is give you advice so you don't repeat the same mistakes I made along the way. I got this retarded sense of kinship amongst truckers because a lot of other drivers helped me along the way with advice and took me under their wing and told me the ins and outs of this business. So what I tell you is all out of brotherly love and respect. As for OTR companies at least CrEngland told you the truth and told you you'll be out a while. They all do so don't buy into this 2 weeks out 2 days off bull. More than likely it'll be 3-4 weeks out 2-3 days off. Thats been my experience at least. As far as taking your truck home it depends on the company and where you live. Most don't mind if live along a corridor and when your empty if you take the truck home and its not too far. But I haven't driven OTR for four years so I would suggest you ask someone else. VM-out!

Comment By:
VM on Wed, Oct 11 2006 @ 10:29 PM [AKST]

More companies are letting drivers take trucks home if it isn't too far from where you delivered or if it's on the way to next load. But every one has some sort of a catch. I live in Wisconsin and the truck needs to be plugged in during the winter months. We live about 25 miles from a terminal so we leave the truck there and drive our personal vehical home. If you decide to stay home an extra day, some companies want the truck brought to a terminal so that it can be used by another driver if needed. Schnieder is getting better at giving drivers home time. CR England is generally full of bs and push the lease program they have. What ever you do don't go for that with them. They have the worst record out here for leasing. It's pretty much trial and error as far as who to drive for.Need to just pick one and try them for awhile. If it doesn't work,you will have a better idea of what to look for in a company.It's a matter of finding a place you like.

Comment By:
roadhzrd on Thu, Oct 12 2006 @ 2:14 PM [AKST]

Another thing to keep in mind as far as schools, if there's a technical school that offers a truck driving course near where you live or preferably around Lewiston, go there. These schools have a very lengthy list of companies that will hire students and many recruiters come in to talk to the classes. From what I have seen around here in Wisconsin, techs have a much better training program. I hope I helped you out some and not made your choices harder. Like VM, I have alot of time put in and have seen alot. The extent of my training was about 30 yrs ago when my dad threw me the keys to an old mack and pointed to a flatbed trailer. He said hook up to it and bring it around back so we can get equipment for his next job loaded.

Comment By:
roadhzrd on Thu, Oct 12 2006 @ 2:37 PM [AKST]

Thanks for the advice, -jn

Comment By:
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