What Do Companies Mean By 'Home Time'?

We know where you are coming from. Trucking can create a huge strain on your family; some can handle it and some cannot. It's good, that you know what you need for time at home going in, as long as you understand that could be a very limiting factor when searching for companies. One day at home for 7 on the road is, as the others said, a pretty basic home schedule. That said, hometime policies vary widely among companies. Most companies have dedicated and regional options and those will be the best for getting you home the most frequently. You will be looking at nightly or every weekend, but that "weekend" is often just enough time to take your 34 hour reset and nightly will be after a 14 hour workday so keep that in mind. That is probably your best option for seeing the most of your family and being present for your kids. Extended hometime options won't get you home as frequently, but you will be home for longer at a time. I would recommend figuring out what companies are hiring in your area as your starting point and from there do some good research on each one. You may have to call them about their hometime policy. There are other companies that have extended home time options like Roehl's 7/7 and 14/7, they just haven't done as good a job at advertising them. Marten, Schneider (I think), Transport America, Knight, and others. Those kind of options are becoming more common, but for any of them, you will likely have to live within a certain distance of a terminal or drop yard. You will just have to start with figuring out what is in your area and go from there.

You've been on this forum for a decent time by now. Honestly, I'm surprised you're just finding this out now in regard to hometime and trucking. It's a good thing you became aware of it. You might want to look into local trucking, e.g. see if there are any LTL companies where you live. But, going local will also mean long days. Either way you cut it, becoming a truck driver takes a tremendous amount of time to dedicate to your career / job. At least with a local gig you will be able to get some "face time" in with your family on a daily basis, and usually have two days off a week like a normal job.

I didn't just find out but I wanted to make sure it was clear for me. :)

Have you looked at R&L carriers they hire in your state or yellow freight. A ltl sounds what you need

Thank you, I'll look into it.

Surprised you haven't just chosen Roehl already.

The cdl class that started this week had 3 guys from the northeast. Roehl will get you home.

Seems like a good one to go to.

Alright....I guess I'm wondering about what a company means when they talk about "home time"....

For example: I was just lookin at Prime website. It states that you earn one day off for each week your out on the road. Does that mean that you have to be away from your home, your family for 5-6-7 days in order to be able to get ONE day at home?? If you have to be away for 10-14 days in order to get not even 48 hours (2 days) at home....that I just can't see myself doing that. I NEED to see my family and my pets more than that. My daughter just turned 16 and she still need me around, you know?

Being away for 5 days and home for 2 full days is fine. Being away from home for 10 days and then have 4 days at home is passable.

I read some people saying that Roehls have flexible home time such as 7 days out, and then 3 or 4 days home time. But that is NOT mentioned on their website. The length of time they mention for you to be away from home is longer, in order to have just a couple days home.

Rebellious...this is why I recommended the Winchester fleet. You reset your 70 at home...you will have to check will Roehl to see what's available. It gives you two things...well three...1. Home time....2. Good pay. ...3. You'll be at roughly the same amount as Prime offers to drive a lightweight within 7 or 8 months. Good equipment, good people.... Good miles. Good luck

What is the "Winchester" fleet? Is this part of Roehl, or is it another company similar to Roehl?

Sorry. The Winchester fleet is the Kraft Northeast fleet. It's a dedicated account that Roehl has had for a long time. Depending on where Southwick Mass is you may fall outside the hiring area. I call it Winchester because we ship out of Winchester Va. I would give Roehl a call and see if you live in their hiring area.

Why does Greyhound sucks? I have the Peter Pan company 20 minutes away from me also.

I have been on greyhound numerous times in numerous states going to various places... It doesn't bother me except when I have to share my seating area and the guy falls asleep on my shoulder... that bothers me but you can get that with anything (flying, bus, amtrak).

Yeah it's never going to be as good as taking your own vehicle but that's the choice you made because I have yet to see a company that won't at least reimburse your cost to drive a vehicle at the rate it would have cost them for a bus ticket.

Given the choice my preference is in this order Personal vehicle (that way I can go anywhere when I need to), amtrak, bus and finally flying. I don't mind flying in general I just don't like the small space they cram you into and all the fees they charge ya. bus and amtrak don't charge for those 2 checked bags, airlines are like $35 a bag now! as for amtrak taking a place ahead of greyhound, amtrak is more comfortable and I can get up and walk around if I want, they usually have lounge cars with wrap around windows so you can watch everything as you pass by. I am very well versed in taking the train, took it from san antonio to baltimore via new orleans and return trip via chicago and I have also taken it to austin and back a few times and a couple places in the NE. not as quick as the bus (well I guess that depends) but much more comfy... bigger seats, leg room, leg rests...

Why does Greyhound sucks? I have the Peter Pan company 20 minutes away from me also.

I have been on greyhound numerous times in numerous states going to various places... It doesn't bother me except when I have to share my seating area and the guy falls asleep on my shoulder... that bothers me but you can get that with anything (flying, bus, amtrak).

Yeah it's never going to be as good as taking your own vehicle but that's the choice you made because I have yet to see a company that won't at least reimburse your cost to drive a vehicle at the rate it would have cost them for a bus ticket.

Given the choice my preference is in this order Personal vehicle (that way I can go anywhere when I need to), amtrak, bus and finally flying. I don't mind flying in general I just don't like the small space they cram you into and all the fees they charge ya. bus and amtrak don't charge for those 2 checked bags, airlines are like $35 a bag now! as for amtrak taking a place ahead of greyhound, amtrak is more comfortable and I can get up and walk around if I want, they usually have lounge cars with wrap around windows so you can watch everything as you pass by. I am very well versed in taking the train, took it from san antonio to baltimore via new orleans and return trip via chicago and I have also taken it to austin and back a few times and a couple places in the NE. not as quick as the bus (well I guess that depends) but much more comfy... bigger seats, leg room, leg rests...

Well umm.....I think the poster who mentioned Greyhound was for DRIVING their buses...not being a passenger? lol

Roehl offers some of the best home time options and when they say they will get you home, they mean it. Not only that but the training you receive in their phase training program and OTR is top notch. Give them a call if you haven't already.

Something else to consider with something like Roehl's 7/7 fleet. You are basically working a part time job. You make money by turning miles, 7 on 7 off is basically working 6 months a year.

I understand your need to be home as much as possible, just dont forget the more time at home the less you make. Not trying to add more stress to your decision, just making sure you take it into account.

First year OTR pay at 35k would be hard to do with that much home time. Cut that number in half. Also those fleets will most likely require you to slip seat, meaning you would share the truck with other drivers.

While you are home, someone else is on the road with the truck so personalizing it wont be practical. You may not even be in the same truck each trip.

Something else to consider with something like Roehl's 7/7 fleet. You are basically working a part time job. You make money by turning miles, 7 on 7 off is basically working 6 months a year.

I understand your need to be home as much as possible, just dont forget the more time at home the less you make. Not trying to add more stress to your decision, just making sure you take it into account.

First year OTR pay at 35k would be hard to do with that much home time. Cut that number in half. Also those fleets will most likely require you to slip seat, meaning you would share the truck with other drivers.

While you are home, someone else is on the road with the truck so personalizing it wont be practical. You may not even be in the same truck each trip.

Not interested in the 7/7. I'd go for the 7/4-7/3 or the 14/7.