Question:
Well, I started driving school a year ago. I was hired by a company, I lasted 6 months. Driving is the easy part. The country is beautiful. But to think that I was going to waste my years away all by myself, while my friends and family moved on with their lives, I couldn't bear it.
So, I said to hell with it. I did it, followed through with it and it just wasn't worth it. It takes many sacrifices to follow OTR career.
I came back home, got a dump truck job and I have never been happier! I make half of what I was making over the road and I will probably be laid off in the winter, but I DO NOT CARE, so long as I don't ever have to go OTR again!
I just thought I would give a quick update. Thanks!

Answer:
OTR or local, it doesn't matter, as long as you've found a 'gig' that fits YOU!
Good Luck!

Answer:
Ditto what Hoss said.
OTR trucking is not for everyone and there is nothing wrong with someone deciding it is not right for them. The only thing that is wrong is for a person to continue to do something they are not happy doing.
Answer:
As long as You are happy. Nothing else matters.
There are some that love local. Others hate it. Like me.
I don't say that not ever trying it. I did all tyoes of local there are except Cattle and cars.
I really enjoyed the Dump work. I just got tired of it.
I got into OTR and I love it. No way I would drive local again unless I had to.
As long as YOU are happy is all that matters.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

Answer:
It's up to each and everyone of us to find the driving job that makes us truly happy!
I did local & regional work myself, but found I was more relaxed doing OTR work, as I made more money, and enjoyed the longer trips that were easier on the truck I own.
I see my job as being more like a vacation, especially since I'm now in a position where I have no need to work that hard to make a decent living. I may stay out for 3-5 weeks at a stretch, but I go home for two weeks off at a time. I also meet up with friends in different places and go have fun (like when Sixthwheel took me on a tour of Manhattan a few months ago ). I've been known to go take a few days off in Las Vegas & rent a car to get around to different things to do around there.
In my life, I've noticed that my family & close friends and I value our time together a lot more, since we don't see each other so often that we're feeling the need to rip off one another's heads!
I'm still young, but I've been an Owner-Operator for five years now. I've managed to pay off two trucks way ahead of time, and after almost 9 years of OTR driving, I still see a lot of challenges that add to my enjoyment of it !
It's all in what each and every one of us, being unique in our own way, is willing & ready to do in terms of making sacrifices. Like the original poster of this thread found out, it's NOT all about HOW MUCH MONEY you make! It's important to make a good, stable income to support yourself and your family, but your own happiness, and that of your family, is by far the most important thing!Not liable for any information posted.