Question About Personal Time From A Newbie

I'm seriously thinking of getting into trucking, but I have a question I haven't seen answered anywhere. It seems that everyone works long hours in a day to complete their jobs, which I don't have a problem with because I like driving. But working that long for several weeks straight all the time seems like a bit much. Is it possible to take a few days off in between jobs? Like is there a system where you only take jobs you want, like you can with Uber, or would asking for that be a career death sentence and a quick way to get fired? I have a very low cost lifestyle so I don't need to be making as much money as I legally can get away with. I'd rather make just as much as I need and enjoy my down time. I guess this is to say, is it possible to be a part time trucker? If not, do you find that you still get enough free time working multiple weeks in a row? Is the down time enough to really do anything but eat and sleep? Most of my hobbies fit on a laptop so I don't NEED to go home every day, or even once a week, I just don't want to feel pressured to work 11 hours a day for 3 weeks straight. Maybe someone could clear this up for me. Thanks!

Welcome Jennifer. Your question has many variables to it. I will simplfy it a bit. With HOS rules you can run a max of 70 hours in 8 days. Most companies give you 1 earned day off per 6-7 days out. So after 21 days out you will earn 3 days off. Most companies will allow you to take those days off wherever you request, as long as they have freight going to that area. Hometime doesn’t have to necessarily be taken at your home of record.

If you run hard you will burn through your 70 hours in approx. 6 1/2 days. At that point you must park for 34 hours to reset your hours. During that time it is free time. Once you establish a good working relationship with your dispatcher and learn how to manage your time well you can get to better areas to do those resets. That does take some good planning on both sides. It also depends on the freight needs at that time.

Companies, dispatchers, and drivers vary on how they like to manage hours. If you run 8.75 hours per day you can run everyday without running out if hours. Some like to try and manage it that way and others don’t. Personally I run hard and then reset every week. Usually at home. It all comes down to available freight and appt. times.

Company policies and freight lanes vary widely in this industry.

I don't need to be making as much money as I legally can get away with. I'd rather make just as much as I need and enjoy my down time. I guess this is to say, is it possible to be a part time trucker? If not, do you find that you still get enough free time working multiple weeks in a row? Is the down time enough to really do anything but eat and sleep? Most of my hobbies fit on a laptop so I don't NEED to go home every day, or even once a week, I just don't want to feel pressured to work 11 hours a day for 3 weeks straight. Maybe someone could clear this up for me.

Hello Jennifer, and welcome to Trucking Truth!

I like to shoot straight with people. So I'm going to do my best with you. Being a trucker is a big Commitment. We do work long hours, but we also have unexpected breaks sometimes mixed into our days. We learn to capitalize on every opportunity. Sometimes those opportunities allow us extra productivity and other times they allow us to enjoy ourselves. A lot of people can't seem to master this balance. It's not like taking normal time off from a normal job. It's more like switching yourself on/off as opportunity presents itself.

Let me give you an example. This week I was carefully managing my time and got myself to a town where I was supposed to pick up a load on Friday afternoon. I got there Thursday afternoon which allows me to have 24 hours of "free time." Something happened with the customer and they couldn't get the load finished on time. Now it's going to be ready Saturday. I've got 2 days off unexpectedly. How I handle that is critical. I could fuss and fume about them not respecting my time, or I can accept it as a gift from the trucking gods and enjoy myself. I chose the latter.

Trucking is not anything like Uber. You will be expected to work long and unusual hours. I sometimes start my day at midnight or any other crazy hour. I run the loads I'm assigned and get them done on the schedule that the customers require. But you will have regulations that require you to get proper rest. You can't work more than 70 hours in 8 days. Some drivers like to push hard all week, get that 70 hours done in maybe six days, and then they are required by the regulations to take a 34 hour break.

There are a lot of options once you have established yourself as a reliable driver. Just remember that your commitment to the job is part of establishing yourself. Nowadays I serve a dedicated customer. These dedicated jobs sometimes allow you to manage your time so you can take some breaks. Some of them will actually have weekends off, but only top performing drivers who have demonstrated their commitment to excellence out here will land those jobs.

Part time jobs are rare in trucking. The secret to this is really pouribg yourself into an over the road job for one full year. Learn how to be productive, safe, and reliable. Be flexible and master your time management skills. Once you've proven yourself like that you will be able to find the type trucking job that has more an appeal to your personality. The key is to put in the effort to build your career into a level that is respected and trusted. That gives you the key to many options and opportunities. Truckers determine their fate with their performance.

Do I Have What It Takes To Be A Successful Trucker?

Part time jobs do exist but they're rare and I feel would not be wise while getting your career underway. My employer has PT drivers that are only asked if they want to work when FT guys don't want to work extra. Sometimes they can work a couple days a week and other times they'll only work once every couple months. When you're starting out the only way to become a safe driver and improve your backing skills is repetition. If you work only a couple days a week it's going to be more difficult. With that being said Roehl offers a variety of hometime options including 7 on 7 off among others. They also have their own Paid CDL Training Programs. I am not sure if you're able to get on that type of schedule right away or if they require a certain amount of experience.

My company expects us to keep running on recaps.

Jennifer, I'm sure you want honesty so here goes. With the guidelines and desires you have listed...trucking is probably not the job for you. Perhaps if you have plenty of money you could buy a truck and book loads on your schedule but companies have to keep you moving to make their investments in you and the truck/trailer pay off. Sorry if it's not what you were hoping to hear but it is the truth.