Thinking About Driving A Big Rig But Don't Want To Live On The Road Forever?

Lets try to motivate on here instead of the trucker negativity that we are trying to overcome.

Interesting juxtaposition you've made here. You want to motivate potential drivers while at the same time imply that only local driving jobs are going to make you happy, all the while talk negatively about driving otr as only being good of used as a stepping stone to a local job. Just a suggestion but you may want to leave motivational speaking to someone better equipped to motivational speaking.

The mentality of what you're proposing can be viewed with this analogy: "if you want to date Cindy, date her sister first, but no longer than six months until you can get close to Cindy."

Maybe it's just me but that isn't really "motivational."

Now let's try something that may be more in the "motivational" category:

If you'd like a job driving truck's, but without being away from home for weeks at a time; With some research, hard work and determination you may be able to find just what your looking for.

Then you can lead into ways that actually might get accomplished.

Bottom line: Trying to motivate while speaking negatively about something is not actually being motivational.

What is going on here??? TCB simply was commenting on HER perspective about how SHE did what she did to get a job and not be away from home - and she did so to someone who was voicing a similar concern about over-the-road lifestyles . . . I read back through this thread trying to understand this strong NEGATIVE reaction to her comment . . . come on, she can kiss your a**?? REALLY? You felt so insulted by what she said that you had to put THAT in a post?? I see absolutely nothing wrong with her opinion in the first place and even if I did she has every right TO HER OPINION! She doesn't have to kiss anything and I think anyone who takes such offense to the absolutely harmless statements she made should take a moment to reflect why they have such a strong reaction . . . there was nothing negative about describing and recommending her career choices to a sympathetic ear (the original post was from someone asking if being away from home was completely necessary) . . . geez, take a deep breath people, this is questions and answers, not accusations and recriminations, n'est pas??

Jopa

I think the only thing the OP was trying to imply here is that if you have your CDL and you area sufficient driver, then your opportunities are open to local jobs and whichever other types of jobs your heart may desire. And he's right. He's just trying to help people by sharing his experience.

People think they can't break into this industry without OTR for a long period of time, and it's incorrect. The OP went through Prime's training and found himself a nice local gig afterwards, and that's a realistic possibility for any sufficient new driver.

Jopa, you are correct sir, thank you for taking a unbiased stance. The only reason one would be offended is if they fit the category of the negative driver. I run into people every day from many companies that are picking up/delivering at locations all over my area from all parts of the US who ask me how to get a position where they can be home more. I in fact have referred a dozen or so to my company because I know they actually care about their drivers. I thought there may be a group of people that like the idea of driving, however not OTR. I started in the Flatbed division OTR and learned how to drive hard, work hard, and be clean and eat healthy to boot.

Every day I ran across people driving box/reefer trucks (flatbed busts their butts, so it is tough to stay tidy, but you can do it.) that do not take pride in who they are or what they do because they are obviously overweight and not clean. I believe the "new" age of drivers are educated, responsible, and looking for a job/career with a future or security. My company has many driving options all over the country, and I happened to come across a local position where I can go to the gym every day and care for a sick family member while still driving and building on my experience and hanging out with friends and family.

As for me, I dismiss the negativity as an inability to transform with new industry standards. I thought we were all on here to help. I liked OTR traveling and seeing the country, especially the Northwest, however when you really are attached to where you are from/live, it is helpful to new drivers to know there are other options out there. My intentions are not to offend any OTR drivers that hold themselves to higher standards, it made me a great driver, I have driven over/through all the major mountains/cities in this country. OTR is a great way to earn/save tons of money with virtually no overhead. My top priority when I decided to drive was to be a safe driver, and I believe I have done that. I sacrificed months of my life, however I am glad I did to get the experience I need. Again, my advice is to do your homework, find a course of action and make it happen. Cheers and good luck to all debating/transitioning to the industry.

Yep, I agree Jopa. Actually, I was surprised by Rolling Thunder's response - made me do a double take. Unhinged came to mind.

Welcome TCB, and I agree with many of your sentiments. I got into trucking looking for a "job," not going for the lifestyle. I am fortunate enough to work for one of the best LTL carriers in the business, and I too get to come home every day and have two days off a week. I make it a point to spread the "LTL gospel" on here as much as I can, especially when a prospective driver inquires about making as much money as possible or expresses an interest to go local right away. Many new drivers think that all that's out there is OTR. I have the best of both worlds with my linehaul position. I run good miles every day (average 530), do all drop and hooks, don't have to handle the freight or deal with customers, but also come home every night.

Depending on the area, some folks have no other choice than to run OTR. Some folks prefer OTR anyhow. Trucking has many opportunities for all different strokes of folks. I'm thankful I found my niche right away. Best wishes to you!

I'm going to elaborate a bit on my post hoping to point out a thing or two. Coming in to driving with no experience (or in my case no "recent" experience) is totally dependant on where you live. I can assure you that I don't want to drive OTR as I've done it on the 90's and know it's something I don't want to do. However where I live in Florida, there are no companies doing local runs where I can get home every night that don't require 6 (best case scenario) or 12 months otr to get employment at those companies.

I'll admit, I'm a glass half empty personality. Having to be away from my wife and 6 & 9 year old for weeks at a time downright sucks. I hate it. But it's necessary to get the job I really want. That being said the OP's remarks rubbed me the wrong way. If my post offended you, my sincere apologies.

The way the otr drivers have changed since I last drove it has changed immensely. The new generation driver care more about themselves than other drivers on the road. I'm talking about the "entitled" generation that's coming in after my generation (gen-x)

So bottom line: depending on where you live, you may not be able to get a local job without having to gain experience otr. It's a necessary evil.

Hey Terry, I'm always quick to point out to prospective drivers that OTR isn't the only way to begin or have a trucking career. I'm also always aware that when I make suggestions to prospective drivers, especially in regard to LTL , that not everybody has the same opportunities available. A lot of it does depend on location, as you pointed out.

You traded lots of opportunity for better beaches by living in Florida.

"...with all due"...

Don't worry RT...I understand your grammar!

Yeah...I'm not really sure where things got crossed up here. I can see both sides to this and hey...we're all entitled to our own opinions.

I do have to agree with TCB on part of their post. I think it's obvious the trucking industry has changed/or is changing, and the OTR lifestyle is not going to be for everyone. Now with that being said, it's all going to come down to your personal preferences as well as what type of trucking positions are actually available in your area. I'm fortunate, there are local positions around here for new grads. So I have the option if I choose to stay local. I think that a lot of companies are trying to provide more hometime options in order to appeal to a larger audience of potential drivers.

I look at trucking as a career...more so that just a job. There's a lot more to it than meets the eye...requiring a much higher level of dedication than just showing up, punching a clock, and doing what you have to do to get through the day. We all do what we have to do to make things work....

Unhinged?

Here is the deal. I read the post and surprise, I was offended. Not just for me, for all truck drivers who have to put up with being lumped together with the knuckle heads out here. It pi***s me off when, good intention or not, truckers are viewed in a negative light. There are some raunchy drivers out here for sure, but, they are the minority and, guess what? It is an all inclusive bunch too, it`s not just the rednecks or hillbillies that bring scum to the pond.

What I wrote is how I respond to negative darts being thrown at us. I, personally, am tired of it.