Researching A Career In OTR

Hello all!

i have a brother-in-law who used to do regional driving for Papa John's Pizza and is now OTR and he LOVES it. I have been listening to what he has to say about the trucking industry (specifically OTR) and reading on a few trucking forums. It sounds like something I would enjoy since I am an introvert and the lifestyle from what my brother-in-law and the forums have said seems compatible with my personality.

I've actually been thinking about it for years because of my brother-in-law and how much he loves it. I hope to keep learning through reading these forums.

Do you like driving for long periods? how often do you take road trips... does the thought of taking one get you all excited?

Those are things that I thought about when trying to decide if this will be for me or not. I love to drive and I love road trips. I do get excited when I get to take a road trip, just did one this past May and it was awesome, minus the part I didn't get to drive much cause my mom's boyfriend hogged the driving time... to the point of being a hazard... drove non stop except for coffee, pee stops (from the coffee) and gas from Palm springs to San Antonio... about 20 hours or so.

Being an introvert doesn't really mean you'll like the job or not to be honest. A lot of people think introvert means they like to be alone, that's not at all true, although they do spend more of their time around less people, that's not what makes them introverted.

You should see if you can be a passenger on your brothers trucks for a bit to get an idea of what it would be like (minus the driving part)... heck you could prob help with things like opening trailer doors, landing gear, backing guidance, etc. Be a passenger like that for a couple weeks and see if you like it still. Probably the best way you'll find out with no major commitment or out of pocket cost.

I'm not trying to steer you away I just don't like to see people get themselves into something only to find out it's not for them... AFTER they accrue a bunch of debt or get contracted into something because of it.

Phox, being an introvert means you probably will stay out of driver TV lounges. That's a good thing.

A major issue with OTR is your home life almost doesn't exist. Yes, phone calls & Skype, but no sitting on the sofa, or mowing the lawn kind of things, either.

Do you like driving for long periods? how often do you take road trips... does the thought of taking one get you all excited?

Those are things that I thought about when trying to decide if this will be for me or not. I love to drive and I love road trips. I do get excited when I get to take a road trip, just did one this past May and it was awesome, minus the part I didn't get to drive much cause my mom's boyfriend hogged the driving time... to the point of being a hazard... drove non stop except for coffee, pee stops (from the coffee) and gas from Palm springs to San Antonio... about 20 hours or so.

Being an introvert doesn't really mean you'll like the job or not to be honest. A lot of people think introvert means they like to be alone, that's not at all true, although they do spend more of their time around less people, that's not what makes them introverted.

You should see if you can be a passenger on your brothers trucks for a bit to get an idea of what it would be like (minus the driving part)... heck you could prob help with things like opening trailer doors, landing gear, backing guidance, etc. Be a passenger like that for a couple weeks and see if you like it still. Probably the best way you'll find out with no major commitment or out of pocket cost.

I'm not trying to steer you away I just don't like to see people get themselves into something only to find out it's not for them... AFTER they accrue a bunch of debt or get contracted into something because of it.

Thanks for responding. Yes, I do enjoy driving for long periods of time. I used to take road trips from Dallas, Texas to Louisville, Kentucky about twice a year. I'll ask my brother-in-law about being able to go out with him for a week to see how it is.

Phox, being an introvert means you probably will stay out of driver TV lounges. That's a good thing.

A major issue with OTR is your home life almost doesn't exist. Yes, phone calls & Skype, but no sitting on the sofa, or mowing the lawn kind of things, either.

Home life wouldn't be a problem for me. I'm 47 and have been married 18 years and no kids. Regarding the driver TV lounge...are they allowed to smoke in there because I am a non-smoker.

Welcome aboard!

Go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide from beginning to end and follow all of the links you come across. That will help you understand a whole lot about what life on the road is all about and what it's going to take to get your career off to a great start.

Welcome aboard!

Go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide from beginning to end and follow all of the links you come across. That will help you understand a whole lot about what life on the road is all about and what it's going to take to get your career off to a great start.

Thanks for the information, Brett! I'll look through the truck driver's career guide.

Home life wouldn't be a problem for me. I'm 47 and have been married 18 years and no kids. Regarding the driver TV lounge...are they allowed to smoke in there because I am a non-smoker.

Being married might make things a little difficult because you'll be away from your wife for long periods. you might be ok with it but what about her? I have watched video diaries of truckers with kids and for the most part they seem to do alright. Doing what they gotta do to support family.

Welcome aboard!

Go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide from beginning to end and follow all of the links you come across. That will help you understand a whole lot about what life on the road is all about and what it's going to take to get your career off to a great start.

I remember reading through that... it's a lot to take in I tell ya what...very informative though.

Home life wouldn't be a problem for me. I'm 47 and have been married 18 years and no kids. Regarding the driver TV lounge...are they allowed to smoke in there because I am a non-smoker.

Being married might make things a little difficult because you'll be away from your wife for long periods. you might be ok with it but what about her? I have watched video diaries of truckers with kids and for the most part they seem to do alright. Doing what they gotta do to support family.

Welcome aboard!

Go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide from beginning to end and follow all of the links you come across. That will help you understand a whole lot about what life on the road is all about and what it's going to take to get your career off to a great start.

I remember reading through that... it's a lot to take in I tell ya what...very informative though.

Thanks Phox. My wife wouldn't mind as long as some cash is coming in. Ha!!