Profile For OtrEscapeArtist

Ok whatever....My only comment is if you're part-time'ish job hunting through want adds of some sort and your gut is wondering if the advertised position is "safe" then move on to the barista openings!!

This is what I've experienced in my first year of OTR:

The country at 62 miles per hour-after-hour-after-hour-after-hour..lol... Proving yourself an asset worth training AND keeping means door SHUT wheels TURNING all while not killing yourself and others!... Oh, and of course not tearing things up.

Please be aware that unless you own your own rig, run under your own authority, pick and chose your own freight/destination you will be expected to grind (no pun intended) for weeks on end. If your out on the road for a 34 hour reset then sleep may turn out to be more enticing then a grand hike...lol.

Adventure tourism in my opinion for the first year is a bit unrealistic....

Thanks Big T......I'm off and running as we speak. Backs a bit sore but all good..lolol...

Firstly congrats on your CDL.

I would find a way to get rid of the restriction. Is there a reason you didn't train/test manual?

I suppose it depends on what your goals are for truck driving. That said, large fleets have been making the transition to autos which take time to fully integrate hundreds of not thousands of trucks.

My point being you heavily limit your opportunities, in an opportunity rich environment, and if your able to learn a manual transmission then don't short yourself!

If you want the "profession" , like REALLY want it, then prepare to make the sacrifice it takes to achieve your goals..

There are a few avenues of approach. I chose to commit for a year to a highly reputable well run company. We could have afforded to pay out of pocket for schooling but the quality of training/company made more sense..

It was a challenging go at it for sure. A year spent away from loved ones etc (the list goes on)

Take the advise found here to heart. Soul search this one...

Best of luck to you and yours.

I successfully completed my 1 year agreement with a great company and truley can't say enough good things about Jim Palmer trucking.

I have now signed on to run dedicated open deck (RGN) in and around my home state.

Stick to it that first year! It will pay off without doubt!!

Well done!! Keep up the hard work!

Thanks!!...I have this urge to eat a banana. But if the wife found out I paid a dollar for 1 banana at a truck stop I'd be in trouble!!.. Time to look for a friendly Wal-Mart anyway..😁

Congratulations on your achievement. You're in the 5% of rookies who've made it. Keep learning, keep rolling and keep the shiny side up!

Thanks Gents. Finally Dancing Bananas!!

I drive OTR for a company out of Montana. We get all the western passes and a few out east as well. We do not use 70 (Vail)...