Thoughts On The Next Step...
Topic 27792 | Page 1
I've done both team and solo.
My preference is solo OTR because I'm responsible for only me, I get actual sleep in a non-moving vehicle, and I am responsible for what I see in the paycheck.
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.
From 88 to 93 I drove strictly team...that's all I knew. When I returned to driving after my husband died, I went team with my brother. His aggressive driving cured me of ever driving team. I've been running solo for 5 yrs now and love it.
Recently I came back after dealing with AFib for 3 mths. I'm still not 100% with strength and endurance. I was getting a load in Paramount CA when a guy helped me get backed in (blindside 90 past a trailer next to where I had to go). After helping me, we chatted and he point blank asked me where my male co-driver was...why wasn't he helping. When I told him I ran solo, he asked if it wouldn't be better to run team so that a man can help me with the heavy work. What heavy work...we don't lump loads anymore. The hardest thing I had to deal with were the doors on reefer containers. When the reefer was running, those doors suctioned shut very tightly...but a 3 lb maul and a crowbar would get them open ;-)
There was more to the conversation but it was all laughable. I prefer the solitude, I told him. If I want to chat with people, they are only a phone call away.
Laura
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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Hey yall I'm getting close to the end of my mentor period and am trying to decide on the next step. I could go OTR or regional solo but could just about step into a team option where I've been doing my mentorship at. I've been looking at both options and they are both very appealing...and now I'm torn. On one hand I can keep doing what I'm doing now as a team and have priority on loads and regular mileage with stop/delivery pay as well. The other is going solo, which is what I originally was looking to do, and be by myself. Any thoughts or other factors I should be considering would be appreciated. Thanks guys!
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.