Robert, there are no companies that do this. Now you could just quit for four months and come back but I really wouldn't recommend that.
With a few years with the same trucking company, it might be possible to work something like that out. But definitely not as an unproven rookie.
Not to my knowledge would that be given as a hiring option, but after 8 months on the job, you could request a leave of absence or just quit if the leave was denied. Then, after 4 months off, ask to be rehired. There are probably some companies that would rehire you, if you left with a good record. Now, just how many times you could do that with the same company, I don't know. But, with drivers with clean records in such demand, you could probably make it work, at least for awhile.
Some companies have a no-hire policy if you have had, say, more than 4 different jobs in 3 years. Do a bit of research among the training companies to find out how many jobs you may have within a given period of time without becoming dis-qualified as a new hire. BTW, this not considered to be a good approach to building a career as a driver, but we each have our own individual needs and/or preferences.
With a couple of good years of experience under your belt, you could become an owner operator and only work 4 months and take off 8 months if you so desired. In this industry, there are lots of choices out there. The general rule is that the more you work, the more you make and vice versa.
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
With a couple of good years of experience under your belt, you could become an owner operator and only work 4 months and take off 8 months if you so desired. In this industry, there are lots of choices out there. The general rule is that the more you work, the more you make and vice versa.
Man, that's some fantastic advice! I just have a few questions myself:
How is he going to pay the bills if he's going to be sitting for 8 months out of the year?
How is he ever going to pay off that truck if he's only driving it for 4 months out of the year?
There's a reason why these L/O and O/O are on the road for two months at a time - because they can't afford to go home. Clearly, they have to keep running to keep the bills paid. So I just don't see how he can take that much time off. Unless he pays cash for the truck so he doesn't have to worry about a truck payment. But why invest such a large amount of money for something you're hardly ever going to use? If you have that much money, I think there are better investments you can make.
ATXJEHU, respectfully, you've been a part of this forum for a while now man. I don't see how the hell he can possibly accomplish what you're recommending him.
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
There are some situations where you can work 8 months and be off for 4 months but you'd probably have to be a proven driver for the company. I have a friend in the offices of a company with about 50 trucks and they're located way out in the country. They have some farmers that work for them from harvest to planting and then take a few months off to plant, maintain the crops in the summer, and harvest them.
The major companies aren't normally as open to this sort of thing because it becomes too complex if you have thousands of drivers with special circumstances to manage. But if you looked around at some smaller companies you might find that kind of opportunity.
The owner operator idea would only work if you put someone else in the truck to maintain the payments during your downtime but then you have to find someone that only wants to work four months out of the year.
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
There are some situations where you can work 8 months and be off for 4 months but you'd probably have to be a proven driver for the company. I have a friend in the offices of a company with about 50 trucks and they're located way out in the country. They have some farmers that work for them from harvest to planting and then take a few months off to plant, maintain the crops in the summer, and harvest them.
The major companies aren't normally as open to this sort of thing because it becomes too complex if you have thousands of drivers with special circumstances to manage. But if you looked around at some smaller companies you might find that kind of opportunity.
The owner operator idea would only work if you put someone else in the truck to maintain the payments during your downtime but then you have to find someone that only wants to work four months out of the year.
thanks for the info. Drove OTR years ago , been driving local 20 yrs was giving serious thought about going OTR again with the right situation and the 8on 4off thing would be perfect ! Have my grandson living with us and time is more important than money . thanks for the help
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.
An owner-operator is a driver who either owns or leases the truck they are driving. A self-employed driver.
Schneider and Rhoel have some generous hometime policies. You're not gonna get months off at a time, but you can basically work about as part time as a trucking company's gonna allow. Schneider actually advertises a part-time option on their website - check it out. Rhoel is the 7 on, 7 off fleet. These options might vary by location.
Also, if you wanna do tanker, Schneider's tanker division gives you up to 6 days off a month, and you can take them as you like - all together or spaced out.
How about Flexible Home-Time? Like 2-3 weeks out, then 2-3 weeks home time? Basically, 1 day home for every day out or some variation of that. Sure, this would require slip-seating, but if the company has a decent fleet, does it really matter?
How about Flexible Home-Time? Like 2-3 weeks out, then 2-3 weeks home time? Basically, 1 day home for every day out or some variation of that. Sure, this would require slip-seating, but if the company has a decent fleet, does it really matter?
come to think of it... I wonder if this would be classed as Part Time or some variant of Full Time Irregular with a Flexible Home-time option?
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This may be stupid question, but I ll ask it anyway. Are there any companies out there that will let you run for like 8mos. and take 4 off ?