OTR Trucking: from my perspective

look... when most people enter the industry, they're not going to tell you the honest truth. 

not because they're trying to deceive you, but because they are so pumped and trying to keep positive!

that was me when i first began otr trucking. school was hard, but i made it. i got my class a cdl. i figured, if i could make it this far, i could make it through anything!

while, i still whole-heartedly believe this to be true... i have to be honest. trucking is NOT for everyone. 

it takes alot of hard work and dedication. for the most part, you'll be making many sacrifices. like: 

1) all your time being dedicated to the job even when you're "off duty"

2) missing out on friends\family. and if you choose more time with them, you'll be missing out on money

3) your mental/physical health could be impacted and decline. not to speak for everyone, but this unfortunately was true for me.

4) they rush you through cdl school so quickly. & you better pray your trainer actually cares about training you, rather than running you into the mud, using you to make more miles to make them more training money. 

5) you are truly on your own out there. dispatch will not hold your hand. you will be forced to learn everything your trainer failed to teach you, by yourself.

6) you will be forced to improvise and problem solve... ALOT

7) if you get yourself stuck in the mud, chances are your company just might try to make you pay $500 to get your tractor/trailer towed out. 

8) almost every other day was stressful. it was ALWAYS SOMETHING with this job. very emotionally draining. 

9) trying to make time for personal hygiene was doable, but not as easily as i would've liked..

... i could go on and on. but honestly just do your research. my experience doesnt speak for everyone. give it a try if you feel this is something you might be interested in. you never know unless you try. but just please, do your research.