Question:
I am just curious, and maybe this is not the venue to ask this question, but I am just interested in the divorce rate of drivers.
It seems that alot of the drivers I have talked to have gone through a divorce, do you all find this to be a common thing with driving ?
Now to the reason I ask, in a recent post I stated that I am thinking of going back on the road, I was OTR for a while and then landed a local hourly job being home everynight. Now I am finding that the OTR bug is biting at me and pretty dang hard and I want to go back out there, but the better half is dead set against it.
I am in one of those positions that I might have to ONCE AGAIN sacrifice my happyness in order to save my marriage. No she hasn't said the "D" word when I brought it up to her, but actions speak louder than words and if you could see her reaction than you would understand LOL...
Just a brief history,, this December will mark our 18th year of marriage, the reason other than the OTR bug biting me is the local thing is really not paying all that well but home everynight means something too.
Heck of a dilemma that I feel, and just wonder what you driver's thoughts on the matter would be. Of course I know I need to do what keeps the family together, but by the same token I see this as bettering the family situation as well.
Maybe I am just trying to convice myself I don't know..
Any Thoughts ??
Thanks,
Pavement Pounder

Answer:
I've always said that long haul is like a mistress: lovin' it and hatin' it at the same time.
I don't remember where but I do remember and article that gave divorce rates compared to the general public and it didn't look pretty! I'm in the midst right now of working out details on a home every night deal. More money, more home time, more labor(which is ok, who doesn't need the exercise?) I'd been hitting it awful hard the last six months and it was starting to show @ home. I've slept @ home for the last couple of weeks trying to get everything arranged and boy do I like it! Made one short trip for some $$ (6 days) and I was not a happy camper. That sure took care of any OTR thoughts I might have considered. I told my wife I'd sell my truck & trailer B/4 I'd go OTR again.
Good luck on whichever road you end up on!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'no static, no static at all...'XM !!!
Former Member ,Happy Dweller, O/O Div.
Current Member, Home Dweller, O/O Div.
Jack

Answer:
I know the divorce rate for drivers in high. But not really that much higher than the general public. The last time I looked the divorce rate in the US was well above 70 percent. Thats a large number by it's self. So the odds are against you to begin with. Couple that with rarely being home and you have made marriage a very hard thing to hold on to.
The most important factor is what your marriage is like right now. While your home. If it can be rough and uncertain now it could just get worse with you being gone.
" but the better half is dead set against it." That right there should answer your question. Your wife is telling you something and if you value your marriage and her you need to listen. Most women or should I say people really don't like being left alone for weeks at a time.
If my wife was againast it I wouldn't do it, period. I value our relationship far more than OTR driving, money or anything else. If your partner doesn't agree with it and isn't 100% supportive I wouldn't do it. It's not worth it.
"There is just something about fresh winter snow and a river. The day is bright even if it is cloudy, the water is friendly even if it is cold and the fish are there even if they are not biting."

Answer:
Thank you Drivers,, I feel like I know which direction to go and heck it ain't a bad decision, 18 years with the same bride is worth keepin.

Answer:
like being married the choice is easy.Your only a few months younger than me and I am wondering if its a bit of the mid life caged animal blues.
I never had the wanderlust but I also have heard the call to drive again but my children are used to me being here for them and I think a lot of its just my not being used to the office enviroment and the stress of running my own business.I have worked outdoors most of my life and it takes some adjustment.
I still haul local once in awhile when someone needs some equipment moved.
So I get a fix once in awhile.It is an addiction.
I had a good offer to drive just here in Texas doing heavy haul but the more I thought about it I just couldnt see doing it.I invested to much into building a life off of the road.Plus I am not getting any younger and that lifestyle contributed to a few of the health problems I have now.
I love trucks and driving but I wouldnt trade it for the time with my wife or kids.
Maybe someday I will buy an old Pete or Kenworth and turn it into a show truck.Might never show it but would be fun working on it.
Buy a Harley and throw the wife on the back that way you have some real fun.LOL
Seriously I dont know your situation but good luck.
OTR isnt family friendly.
Take care and be safe
To be safe you must be aware
US ARMY

Answer:
Thank you Phantom,, you know I was thinking the same thing about the midlife thingy, but I got to tell you this is something I think about every single day, its like a magnet.
Bottom line is, is yes my marriage is good, I love my wife and kids so the sacrifice that I make in order to keep that together is greater than the joy it gives me to grab gears.