Not sure anymore
Posted by Actual-Ad-6146@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 30 comments
I’ve been running hard consistently for the past 3 years. Mostly because I have no choice, at my current company they squeeze that 70 out of me week in week out. I’m dedicated local and the money is decent. However my health is going to shit. I eat as healthy as I can. I have enough time for a half hour walk at the end of the day until I need to get ready for bed. It’s also taking over my relationship of over a year. I’m just so checked out 80% of the time because of the long days I just want to zone out on my phone. On my reset she wants to travel and go here and there and I just don’t have the energy, which has made for a very bland quality of life. I’m only 31 and I feel like I have the sex drive of a 95 year old. The money is good, but even being home everyday, it just feels like I cannot find a good balance and this company is taking over my life. Out of 15 drivers I’m the only one that gets pinned with backhauls daily, while the other guys get nice little 8 hour days. Not to mention I have to give a 2 months notice if I want a day off because “you’re scheduled.” So mentally I think I’m just cracking with my weight becoming an issue, my relationship suffering, and my overall quality of life. I’ll never make this type of money going back to a “normal job”, but I think I’m realizing I’ll have to hang this up soon.
BigSchmitty@reddit
Food service is rough. I’m with you. Would your company allow you to take a different route?
JustBobert@reddit
Im in a similar boat, considering find a job with less hours. Money is good, but realizing its not everything
Prettybird78@reddit
There are a lot of different types of trucking jobs. Stay in trucking, but go work for a company that balances your needs.
adventureandlife137@reddit
LTL! Local P&D provides exercise and I work 9 hours per day!
ChampionshipThin8916@reddit
Hardcore trucking is typically a limited time thing for most. Working 14+ hour days and maxing out a 70 is not what most will do for years on end. Do it a certain amount of tine to pay off massive debt or to put a huge down payment on a home and then on to more life balance.
Old-Wolf-1024@reddit
It’s not all about the money……I took a 50% pay cut from my oilfield gig to be home every night and off weekends……never been happier (the wife also)
Riyeko@reddit
I actually took a pay upgrade by transitioning from being an OTR/Local driver to bring a yard dog.
Being home every night, showering whenever I want, being able to have days off to fish, spend time with family/friends.... Highly outweighs sleeping, eating and being in a truck 24/7360.
truckingham@reddit
Same here. I make $24/hr to work 7-3:30 monday thru friday and my life is so much better than when i was make $90k otr
CampIndividual783@reddit
Sounds like you’re running right up against the 70-in-8-days HOS cap with no breathing room. Even local or dedicated work will burn you out if dispatch treats every day like a max‑out. It’s worth sitting down with your manager to see if they can restructure your schedule or shift some loads. There are plenty of outfits that run 10–12 hour shifts with weekends off—the pay might be less, but your health and relationships will thank you. As someone who manages drivers, I’d rather take a productivity hit than watch a good driver flame out.
Bagzthehoney@reddit
Man if you don’t find you another local gig an keep that mess pushing to many companies out here to give you what you need
DecadentEx@reddit
This just isn't the life for you. I'm about to turn 56, and I nearly run my 70 hr clock out every week OTR (11 days out, 3 at home). Yet, I workout almost daily, take walks after dinner, and I'd still be down to go out if I'm in an area where friends live. When I'm home, my gf and I go hiking, to art shows, movies, and concerts. Some folks just don't have the energy reserves for this lifestyle.
Glittering_Map5003@reddit
Take a vacation problem solved
Late-County-4094@reddit
Sounds like burnout is hittin’ hard. Nothing wrong with stepping back or switching to a regional or local gig that lets you breathe a bit — money ain’t worth it if you’re losing your health and family time.
TruckinTuba@reddit
You definitely need to swap for something thays better for you, I'm local home daily, and only do 50-55 hours a week
the_clam_farmer@reddit
2 months notice for time off? Fuck that.
Actual-Ad-6146@reddit (OP)
Yeah. Since I have no kids and not married, in the eyes of dispatch there’s no real reason I can’t be in that truck.
Emergency-Bus-998@reddit
And with that reasoning, the only quality relationship you're going to have is with a lot lizard or the palm of your hand
the_clam_farmer@reddit
Nah driver, you are a human being, and that's reason enough. Stand up for yourself or nothing will change.
Actual-Ad-6146@reddit (OP)
I know it. But drivers with a voice are left with no choice.
the_clam_farmer@reddit
You always have a choice. Save up some money and find a better company if they don't honor your requests.
Odd-Improvement-2135@reddit
You know why they do this? Because YOU let them. It's really that simple. There are literally thousands of companies out there but drivers get stuck in the mindset of thinking this is the only company out there like it's Stockholm syndrome. All the money in the world won't help you when you end up depressed, unhealthy, and alone. Pay off everything you can and move on. This is nothing but indentured servitude. "No" is a complete sentence, driver. Use it. You better believe the other drivers aren't going to step up and do what you do.
ATWAR68@reddit
100%
cshrpmnr@reddit
I went from 70hr weeks, to 50 hr weeks, to 35-40hr weeks. Home nightly and every Fri-Sat-sun off driving regional. Sure it's less money, but sometimes quality of life is more important than money.
pingus3233@reddit
Life is short and you only get one. There are other jobs out there.
G0DCyCL0nE@reddit
I feel that, current local gig that I'm running for has me working 13-14 hour days, when most of the guys are back between 8-10 hours... I've got another company that I'm in talks with and should only be 8-10 hours a day and I'd only lose like $200 a month. Money definitely isn't everything, although it is nice to have some walking around money.
Actual-Ad-6146@reddit (OP)
Exactly. Tired of the politics and good ole boys clubs at these local gigs where if you’re not in the middle of the drama you don’t get special treatment. The walking around money isn’t even worth it if you don’t have the time to enjoy it.
Kruten10@reddit
How much money did you put to the side after those 3 years ?
WillieDripps@reddit
If I knew I was going to find a job outside of trucking and quit for good I wouldn't even worry about the 2 months notice.
FrostyNet9540@reddit
Brother, being a truck driver — it’s not something you have to do right after getting married. Even if you wait 10 years, it’s not too late. If you’re driving trucks during the early stage of a relationship, even if you were Leonardo DiCaprio, you’d still end up breaking up. I’d suggest finding a different job first, have your kid, and then maybe get back on the truck 10 years later. Trucking’s probably the job with the highest divorce rate in the world.
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
You need to talk to your boss, and ask for reduced hours.