Anyone Ever Taken A Leave Of Absence Before?

I work for a mega carrier and have been with them for over 2 years now. I'm thinking about trying to take a leave of absence in February 2022 so I can go travel the Baja California peninsula and just relax for a bit. Has anyone ever done that before and if so how did it go? I've talked to some other drivers at my company that have told me that they have quit and had no problem getting hired back and were even able to keep their original hire date. However I'm not looking to quit, I'd just like to take a little break, get out of my truck, and go somewhere nice during arguably the worst month for trucking.

I also won't be 26 yet, so the health insurance doesn't matter for me since I'm still on my parents plan. A lot of people are telling I me I should take the break and go for that fact alone and since I don't have kids and whatnot. I don't fly anywhere, strictly drive and it takes 2 weeks minimum to drive from Indiana to Cabo.

I might only end up just taking 8-10 days off (I have 2 weeks PTO), but I think anything over 10 days off I have to turn the truck in. Just kind of looking for some opinions and interested in what others have done. Also a lot depends on the virus and what restrictions the government(s) put in place.

Hi Phil,

You are just a kid compared to me, but apparently you have done well in your current job. Take all your vacation time, PTO, and any other legit days off and go do your thing. But don't quit and then plan on a re-hire. Trucking companies value stability which means they don't want to do custom deals with individual drivers. Besides, at your age you should be putting your nose to the grindstone while you are young and energetic. Just don't rock the boat too much, it could capsize.

Who do you work for? At CFI I could keep my truck for that amount of time. I'm taking a little over two weeks off in December and my truck will be in it's usual spot.

Speak with your fleet manager and or HR department.

Have fun.

Who do you work for? At CFI I could keep my truck for that amount of time. I'm taking a little over two weeks off in December and my truck will be in it's usual spot.

Speak with your fleet manager and or HR department.

Have fun.

I'll have to ask and see then. I may have gotten bad information and I don't even remember who I heard the 10 day thing from. I do have two weeks PTO now, so if I could use that PTO during consecutive weeks and keep my truck that would work out perfectly.

Driving to Cabo and back takes 10-11 days and 2-3 days of free time is way more than enough for me. I mainly just want to go see mountains and views of the Pacific Ocean / Sea of Cortez on the trip anyways and see what the Baja is about. Sitting at the beach all day isn't my thing. Just want to take a relaxing cruise and see what I find along the highway where I can actually stop for a few minutes and check something out, unlike when I'm in my truck and have to keep trucking. I love road tripping which is what got me into the trucking in the first place and it's the best decision I ever made.

That sounds like an awesome plan. There's been many places I pass by, especially around Oregon or Washington, that I would stop by if only I was in my personal vehicle. But yeah, trucking isn't your typical job where you can take time off just like that. You have to keep in mind the logistics and where to park your truck while you're on PTO or vacation. But I wouldn't trade it in for an office job at all. Enjoy your vacation time!

Hi Phil! My last company (Wilson logistics) generously granted me a 30-day unpaid leave of absence to deal with some medical issues earlier this summer. Unfortunately they had to separate me after that because that is the maximum they can allow.

I spoke to some other drivers and they said that a 30-day maximum leave policy is commonplace in the industry, largely because of the insurance.

Safe travels to you! One day I plan to take six months off to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and then hopefully get rehired right where I left off.

Totally depends on the company and also whoever your fleet manager is and if you're otr or on a dedicated account. Some places will have you clean out the truck and get a new one when you get back from vacation and others may let you keep your same truck like Big Scott said. Shouldn't have to leave the company and get rehired or anything like that though. Sounds like a fun trip, hope you enjoy it!

Met 3 or 4 drivers @ CRST who do this a time or 2 during the year. They all are married to Filipina, have kids etc. They come back and drive a few months, then take off to go home to the Philippines.....1 I know we'll does the lease op deal. Last time seen him he was here to get his lazy 30+ year old off his dime, Was here to make $20k n go back to the island.....

By the end of this year I will have 14 days of PTO saved up. I will be taking off from about 12-21 to 1-1. This will be vacation and not a leave of absence.