Should I Get Back Into Driving?
Topic 34460 | Page 1
Hey Pinky! Glad you decided to join!
I am torn because where I live, I'm not sure if i want to make it a home but I know the BS that comes from OTR , but it would allow me to save up money and move in the near future (2-3 years).
We don't know you well enough to know if you'll enjoy OTR based on your personality and preferences. But what you said about choosing a place to live is interesting.
OTR would put you in the perfect position to save money while exploring other places to live. Once you decide where to live, it would be easy to change jobs if you needed to. Pretty much any company will hire you if you're currently running OTR and have a reasonably good track record.
So running OTR would put you in a good position with regard to your living situation.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
All of my driving was OTR , except the last 8 months which I was a local driver. I definitely enjoyed it but I'm not sure if I want to live on the road anymore. I've gotten used to sleeping in my own bed and I want to learn new skills. I just don't know what I want to do, hence why I've put a few applications to get back into driving.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
I am torn because where I live, I'm not sure if i want to make it a home but I know the BS that comes from OTR , but it would allow me to save up money and move in the near future (2-3 years).
You already know that going OTR will help you save money and help you achieve your goal of moving somewhere within the next 2 to 3 years… so go OTR. There is BS in OTR same as there is BS in every other job in every other industry. As far as reaching your goals is concerned, it’s all background noise. Work through the opportunities you encounter driving OTR; it will make you a great problem solver, if nothing else. An added bonus of driving OTR is if you are not sure where you want to settle down, driving the country will help you get a feel of where you’d like to plant your feet. You’ll be exposed to a variety of states, climates, traffic patterns, landscapes… all of which will help you decide where you’d like to call home next. As an aside, if you do decide to go OTR, you should know you are not limited to just Holland. Just about every large carrier that offers OTR positions will hire you no matter where you live.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Our son Michael moved from Marten to E. W. Wiley six months ago because he wanted to try flatbed and has enjoyed it except when he has to tarp in hot weather. They are based out of Fargo and have been very good at getting him home or back out to our place in California when he's wanted. He is typically doing a 34 hour reset on weekends.
Very true, on both aspects of every job having stuff I will not like but the other thing I'm considering is even though I can save more easily with going back to driving, I'm wanting to try new things and learn more skills that i could possibly use for a future job. I've only ever done customer service jobs and driving.
I'm still on the fence but I still have some time to consider my options. Thanks for the advice!
I'm very familiar with E.W Wylie, I've seen their trucks often and live right by their terminal. I originally started doing flatbed, and perhaps if I was in better shape, i'd consider going back to it.
In terms of getting back into trucking, I've also considered going to tanker, there's a few companies by me that pay well but, I guess at the end of the day I'm leaning more towards trying a different job because I can gain new skills and do something i've never done before.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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Hello, I've been a long time reader of TT but have never made an account. I have 4 years OTR experience but got out of the industry and pursued other jobs, my last was working for the DOT running plow trucks and other heavy equipment. I am now again looking to do something else. I applied to any and every job in my local area that interested me and one that has replied back was a position to go back OTR All-48, with Holland Enterprises, but am not sure if I want to get back into driving again.
I am torn because where I live, I'm not sure if i want to make it a home but I know the BS that comes from OTR, but it would allow me to save up money and move in the near future (2-3 years).
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.