Comments By Matthew N.

I got this my first year in.

Personally, I start at 0300 myself. I like that shift due to parking is always available when it's time to shut down, after a long day of driving it's difficult to become tired when the sun is still high in the sky and its nice and quiet on the road when I'm still trying to wake up.

I run on recap only (or at least try to). Yesterday I drove 562 miles, shut down at 1300 and didn't start again until 0300. As long as the load allows. It doesn't always happen that way but know you're not the only one that does it.

Everyday I love and hate truck driving. Before you up and quit, talk to more drivers. Hear the truth about the lifestyle. It has so many different pros and cons.

Matthew, I have a few questions.

How often do you request to be home?

Have you had an open honest discussion with your fleet manager about your desire to move about the country more?

If you are requesting to go home fairly frequently, that could be hindering you from getting dispatched on longer loads. It sounds like you are running well, but if you switch companies that could all be interrupted until you establish yourself with the new company.

Much of our freight these days is regionalized, but that doesn't mean you can't hit the lower 48. Your dispatcher needs to fully understand what it is that you are wanting. I would have a sit down meeting with my dispatcher and tell him what you want. He will either say he can't do it, or he will commit to making an effort to keep you on board by trying to help you with it. This is where being a Top Tier Driver can really benefit you. Usually a really desirable driver will be able to get some strings pulled on his behalf.

Most drivers choose to just look for greener pastures when they are dissatisfied, but it's almost always best to have a serious conversation with your dispatcher first before moving on to some other company. I think just about any reputable company who has a great driver needing some help with an issue like this will do what they can to help out.

I'm with Knight Transportation, and just this week after two days into a 2,280 mile run, I got preplanned on my next trip... 2,398 miles. That's over Five Thousand Miles this week!

Thank you to all the feedback. I normally go home once a month. Sometimes I'm out almost two months depending on how the wife is feeling.

I have spoke with my FM and was told that the company in general doesn't normally do long hauls. This is why i thought it was company specific and looking in to other options.

I was being asked to run dedicated for current company and once my FM heard about it she gave me a Massachusetts to Laredo run and then Laredo to South Dakota. That tells me they have them because when i inquired she said she was trying to keep me. I pulled reefer a bit and agree there was so many hours sitting. I think I'll talk to us Xpress again and look into CFI regarding last comment.

Am I asking to much to not do short hauls where your loading and unloading every day? That's a genuine question. Only been driving a year and might not have as much of a grasp on industry as I thought. I would like to spend 10 - 11 hours driving and then have a few to myself. Seems like I burn my full 14 daily and have to eat while driving with no time to myself but sleep. Is that just what I'm signed up for?

Looking to be pointed in the right direction of a company that truly does long haul OTR. I prefer to stay out 1-2 months at a time. Currently drive for US Xpress and they have treated me well but seem to keep me regional. I know that's a perk to some but I want to see the country. I get the miles but it's usually a pick up or delivery once a day. Keeping me in the same region until home time where I would start over.

Is there a company that upon request will get to drive coast to coast? There's still many states I haven't seen yet. I know a load from New York to California is not common but isn't it possible to get high mile loads where you get to put in a good 10 hours driving without dealing with loading on a daily basis? I heard heartland express does all 48 but hoping to hear of others to compare. As always, thanks again for this site.

1 year OTR experience.

Hey everyone, I just graduated with my cdl class a from driver solutions at suburban truck driving in Romulus, Michigan. First off, I wanted to say thanks to everyone and this website. Your training program really helped make it easier.

Second, I wanted to let all new students know that if your planning on going with pam transport or driver solutions and are attending the Romulus, Michigan school and if you have any questions, give me a shout. I was looking up info on this place but couldn't find much about it. So if you have any questions, let me know and I'll answer them.

Matthew

Can I ask what school city state? I'm currently on 2nd week at suburban truck driving in romulus mi.

Thank you both for replying. If understanding you correctly your concern is the actual moving process. This is something that we have discussed and 100% confident in. I guess my main concern or question is if I'm otr then I can make money no matter where my residence is. This us what made me look at trucking to begin with.

Right now, we wouldn't be able to move unless we have saved enough money to cover the moving cost plus a year worth salary until I find something in the new location. My thought was, I drive for a year, make sure it's something we both agree with and this would allow a move to any location no matter where since I'm still working otr and my residence doesn't matter to bring in a paycheck.

Would you guys agree that being otr would help move to any state we later decide?

Quick story. ..

Planning on starting cdl training with driver solutions for pam transport in about a month. My main goal here is to move out of Michigan. I figured, go otr for a couple years, get some experience, help determine what state is ideal (thinking NC). Then I can pack up fiance and move to new residence and apply for something more local in that area once I have the experience and resume to back it up. Since I'll be otr I can keep bringing in paychecks while she's moving and getting things situated.

Am I a fool for thinking that starting otr career is beneficial to helping relocate to another state? Would love your advice.

Also, this site is literally a blessing. I hope you guys know what you have here. Been reading this site for months and click ads everyday to help support it.

Matthew