Getting Home

Hi, I have a question for you all. I live in NC and I have orientation with a company whos closest terminal to me is in Alabama (8 hours away). I already know I won't be going home too often, but when I do, how will I get there? I plan on asking my recruiter soon, but maybe someone here has had the same experience. Thanks!

Hi, I have a question for you all. I live in NC and I have orientation with a company whos closest terminal to me is in Alabama (8 hours away). I already know I won't be going home too often, but when I do, how will I get there? I plan on asking my recruiter soon, but maybe someone here has had the same experience. Thanks!

I'm in the opposite situation - I live 30 miles from the Memphis terminal. However, when the Home Time comes up, you should have a way to request "home time" at a particular zip code. When the magic day comes up, you should get a dispatch that involves that zip code (or one nearby), along with enough time built in to allow your H.T.

Now, where you put your truck is another story. You need to arrange for a place to stop. So, if you get sent home with a tractor-trailer, you need a place to put it nearby your place. Suggestions:
* Nearby truck stops (pull the curtain closed, no one will be the wiser),
* A friend with land where you can park,
* A business with their own trucks (you be ironclad sure you have permission from the highest-up - get it in writing, if possible, and tape a copy in the truck window.)
* Any place with their own parking lot (see ironclad note above)
* A vacant lot, though your security is the weakest there. Try to locate an owner for permission, at least. Written permission never hurts!

PS: most trucking companies do not care where the zip code sends you. Want a few days at Myrtle Beach? ZIP code 29572. Carlsbad Caverns, NM, calling? Put in 88220. You get the pattern.

Hey Hrothgar - when it's time to go home they'll may get you a load that delivers near your house, have you make the delivery, and then take the truck home. Or they might get you a load that delivers after your home time is up so you'll take the load home and then deliver it after your time off.

And as Errol mentioned, people normally park their truck at a truck stop or local business of some sort during their time off. If you can fit it on your own property and the local zoning laws allow it then all the better. Watch around your home town for trucks parked in various areas. I know in my town there's a gravel pull-off along the main road that always has four or five trucks parked in it that are taking their home time. I used to drop the trailer at a truck stop and bobtail home in my tractor which fit just fine in my driveway.

Awesome guys! I really appreciate such detailed responses. I knew I came to the right place. I always thought the trailer had to be dropped off at the terminal. Thanks!

Hrothgar supposed:

I always thought the trailer had to be dropped off at the terminal.

The trucking company makes money by hauling freight from A to B. If a tractor is not doing that, the company is losing money. So ... most of the time you will have a trailer with stuff in it, going from said A to said B.

If you are going home and you expect to take a company car (tractor) 400 miles (8 hr x 50 mph) to home for a few days, you need to make money for the company at the same time. Hence, you take a load (meaning revenue for the company) to somewhere near your home. Besides, you would like to get paid for driving 400 miles home, wouldn't you? Same after your rest break. You'll get dispatched somewhere nearby to get back into the game.