OTR On A Seasonal Basis?

I posted at length last week, so I'll keep this quick.

I own a small tax business that keeps me busy from January through April. After some great feedback from you all on my other thread, I think it would be foolish to drop that altogether. It took years of hard work and scraping by to build up to 300 clients who trust me for advice, and though the money is difficult to live on when it has to last the whole year, for the time-frame it's actually pretty good. I am wondering if you have heard of anyone driving a truck for 8 months of the year and consistently taking leave the other 4. Is that a possible scenario? How likely?

I did have a nice conversation with a recruiter in my area (KY) today. She said that situation would not work out for them (West Side Transport) at all. And if it can't be, it can't be. I can appreciate that.

This is not a case of planning to fail, with the existing business to fall back on, but more of a desire to move forward without destroying what I already have.

Much obliged if you could share your knowledge of this. Thanks for your time, and stay safe out there.

Many Motor Coach and Tour Bus Companies have part time and seasonal opportunities available. I would imagine April through October would be "Prime Time" for these Tour Bus Companies. I've seen huge groups of mostly retired/ and senior citizens filling up Truck Stops on these Busses. You get paid to haul these people around and see the things they pay handsomely to see. Not sure of the experience requirements though. I think our friend Rick S. has done this type if work. He will chime in soon enough I'm sure. Good Luck!

Ithel wrote:

good. I am wondering if you have heard of anyone driving a truck for 8 months of the year and consistently taking leave the other 4. Is that a possible scenario? How likely?

Not very likely until you have at least a full year of experience. And even then some companies will want you to maintain a "casual" employment status and drive monthly. Others may not have a policy like this, depends on the company.

"Cake and eat it too" will be very difficult until you have built a track record of safe and reliable performance.

I am wondering if you have heard of anyone driving a truck for 8 months of the year and consistently taking leave the other 4. Is that a possible scenario? How likely?

It's a very unlikely scenario. You could probably go to work at West Side and make close to three times the money in your rookie year.

Sometimes there are agricultural seasonal trucking jobs depending on your area.

I got out of a business I had run for thirty years. I understand the reluctance. It was worse than a death in the family, and I was realizing some good money from selling the assets. It's hard to let go of something you've sacrificed a lot to have, but sometimes it is the best thing to do.

Seasonal otr is ice road trucking i believe lol. Cant do it in spring summer or fall.

Many Motor Coach and Tour Bus Companies have part time and seasonal opportunities available. I would imagine April through October would be "Prime Time" for these Tour Bus Companies. I've seen huge groups of mostly retired/ and senior citizens filling up Truck Stops on these Busses. You get paid to haul these people around and see the things they pay handsomely to see. Not sure of the experience requirements though. I think our friend Rick S. has done this type if work. He will chime in soon enough I'm sure. Good Luck!

Actually - the kind of "touring" I was doing, was hauling bands around the country.

I don't see how someone is going to get a solid enough experience-base - to be able to make a 8 month a year trucking gig actually work. Once you have a year or two in full time - you might be able to "job hop" - or even go back to the same company after April 15th and work until December.

I'm in a similar boat - having a decades old business that makes me easy money that I would have to essentially walk away from, in order to go trucking full time.

When I was doing the "band thing" I could go out for 3-4 weeks and still do online support for my clients. Then come home between tours and work the IT gig full time.

It comes down to what you WANT TO DO - and I understand the fear and LOYALTY of walking away from long-time clients. It's what's kept me stuck for years.

So again - it's unlikely the original poster could pull off what he's looking to do - at least initially. Get a solid year or two in with a decent carrier - and chances are you can "resign seasonally" and get back on afterwards. With two solid years OTR - you're probably going to be able to take 3 months off, and not be forced to retrain to get back out on the road.

Rick