Sick Of OTR And Living In A Truck

CFI is dry van and we do have a SW regional. If we have a drop yard close to you you may be able to bobtail home. For example, I live in Charlotte, NC and our Charlotte drop yard is just over 2 miles from my house. So, they let me bobtail home. We do OTR to the lower 48, so California is very possible. With CFI, OTR drivers average 2500 miles per week. I also average $1000.00 per week gross. If that helps, I am happy to answer any other CFI related questions. Good luck.

Going to another company, especially an OTR company, won't necessarily solve your problems, regional or not. You'll still possibly deal with many of the same issues you have now.

Like some of the others have said, you are suffering from burnout, and that's ok. You won't be the first or last to do so. If you can't find some way to get some enjoyment out of the job, then I'd first suggest to talk to your present company to see what kind of options they have available. You have a shared investment with them, and it may be in your best interest to stick with them.

Who knows, they may have a regional or dedicated local-ish run that will fit your needs nicely. I'd definitely try that route first if you haven't already.

Averaging $1,000 per week gross (before taxes) should be easy at any major carrier for any driver with a little experience who is really ambitious and knows how to manage that clock efficiently. If you want to do it as a regional driver that gets home on weekends you're going to have to be that much more ambitious and efficient, but it's totally doable.

That being said I totally agree with everything Turtle said, especially regarding burnout and speaking with your current employer.

We frequently discuss the importance of communication in this job. I emphasize (as Brett did) communication with your DM or who you directly report to, what you are going through. Keep it professional and determine what other options your company may have available. Don't bottle it up. They can't offer support if you don't let them know you might need it.

All things considered; embrace the lifestyle and the freedom it offers. Uber makes it ridiculously easy and cheap to get around when far from home. The internet is a real-time travel agent, ticket reservation system and unlimited search facility. Within minutes you can find things todo in any location and purchase tickets to most any event. Take advantage of it...go experience all that is available when you take your 34 or request time-off away from home.

Read Brett's Book and invest time reading Blog Articles foucused on the adventurous aspect of OTR driving.

Good luck!

The windshield time will have you doubting your self from time to time. I know it does for me. I got out of OTR and do walmart dedicated with my company now. Some weeks I am home every day, some every couple of days, and some I am gone all week. I like being able to go home, but with the schedule I work, quality time can be hard to come by. I was able to have better visit time with family and was able to make more things because i could manipulate my off times and get a free ride to any location I wanted.

Being that I am dedicated I cant balance a schedule I like and have way less freedom. Part of me is tempted to leave, but I also left OTR for a good reason too.

Change never hurts, especially when it helps your perspective. Even with those bummers I mention, the fact that I dont wait in docks anymore and have to search for empties makes me love my account.

If you dont like reefer , stop pulling it or change your perspective. I like doing backhauls because the reefer running helps me sleep.

Lastly dont keep score of all the bad things. I do that when I am feeling burned out and it makes me feel miserable. Thing is in trucking there really is no work life balance even if your home everyday. You just gotta deal with whatever comes your way and choose what best fits, even if there are some things that suck and there always will be things that suck.