How much does local differ from OTR

Local miles tend to have more stops. Also not as many miles turned as some one whom is OTR. Just my 2 pennies

 

I always found that hilarious that local driving doesn't count as experience. I know local guys that can pilot a load of logs on a super b down the side of a mountain, throw 2 sets of triples on in 10 minutes, navigate narrow, twisty bush roads etc. To me, those guys are 10x the driver than the average OTR wheel holder.

 

Gawh dog how do you afford to live in Los Angeles ? You have to pay 1000$ a month just to live in a card board box under the overpass .

 

Local you have a "normal" rat-race life.

 

I

insurance sees local as driving the same routes everyday with the same climate same laws . They see otr as all types of unpredictablilty inconsistent weather and different state laws .

 

The biggest difference will be learning to deal with bad weather, like snow, bad thunderstorms, etc, and living in a truck with a sleeper birth smaller than the size of a jail cell. Also, if you have family it will be a major change to be away from them.

 

I think this whole idea of local not counting as experience is idiotic. And another thing, the reasoning behind sending someone brand new to do OTR work is insane.

Would we not be better off if this were reversed, and one started off local, then went OTR if they choose? That way when the new guy screws up, he's not 1500 miles from home.

I started local, then went OTR for a while, and I thought it was a big leap to make, even though I'd been driving for 10 years. I can't imagine doing that as an inexperienced newbie. Don't get me wrong, OTR was alot of fun, but with a young family at home, it wasn't the best decision. So now I'm local again.

What's really fascinating to me is how screwed up this model of OTR first, local second is.. We have guys that ran OTR (for years in some cases) working here where I work. Usually they show up, get hired thinking this will be gumdrops and lollipops, then after a week of training, they realize that they're gonna work harder than they thought. Their backing skills usually suck, and their ability to go in snow is even worse.

They typically don't last long. They can't handle the daily grind week in and out. It's almost like hauling mail around here.

But I guess the mega carriers that promote such lunacy do it for a good reason. Otherwise they wouldn't have any drivers at all.

 

You'll also get good at pissing in jugs OTR. IV never heard of local guys using them accept while driving linehaul . OTR you'll use one driving and off duty . Also get used to making "magic bags " pooping in a Walmart sack, some of these shippers don't allow drivers to use a bathroom.