Don't Want Home Time

I'm sure this has been addressed before, but I can't find it. I'm considering going into the trucking industry. My cousin is a truck driver, and I have gone out with him on a few rides in the past. I basically have no family outside of my cousin, and I am not a very social person. I was wondering if a company will force you to take home time? If they do not, will this result in higher mileage? Does anyone have experience living exclusively and extensively (a year or more) in their truck?

The less hometime you take, the more profitable you are for yourself and the company. No one will force you to take hometime - that decision is completely up to you.

Let me preface this, this is just my personal opinion, but I do believe everyone needs a break at one point or another. Maybe a short vacation for three days in Southern Florida, or some hometime to see your cousins. I personally think if someone stays out on the road for 9 months without taking a break then they'll just crazy in the head. But maybe you are already crazy in the head so you don't care? This lifestyle is just too stressful not to give your mind a break once in a while.

But to answer your question, you don't have to take hometime if you don't want to.

My company pays additional .05 cents a mile after 3 weeks out, so you keep out from week 4 to infinity and get .05 on top of running like hell. Know a guy who started almost a year ago and he's only take two home times and once stay out for like 7 months. He said he had so debts to pay and was like you.

Jason, everything they said above is correct. You do not need to take home time but take advantage of that fact and take time off in fun places on the road. Go to Vegas or New Orleans. Hit the beaches in Florida or Southern California. Go up to the mountains in Colorado or catch a NASCAR race somewhere along the way.

Over the years that's what I did. I've never been married and I have no children so I lived on the road most of my career. I just took time off wherever it sounded like fun. It's an awesome opportunity.

My dad would often stay out 6 - 8 months or more at a time, and his company would finally demand he take some time off... somewhere. They didnt care where, He drove for Proline Carriers in Nashville and kept a personal vehicle at their terminal. If he was going to drive his car, the mechanics at the terminal would make sure his car battery was charged lol. He typically drove East coast and Canada, but they would also let him deadhead to my home in Southern Illinois for a mandated week off, but it was right off I24/57 about 4 hours or so from Nashville.

My company pays additional .05 cents a mile after 3 weeks out, so you keep out from week 4 to infinity and get .05 on top of running like hell.

Is this the case with most companies?

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That's my plan right there!

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That's my plan right there!

"Go to Vegas or New Orleans. Hit the beaches in Florida or Southern California. Go up to the mountains in Colorado or catch a NASCAR race somewhere along the way."