experience or on your own

You're better off with local . You're a person there , not one of the tens of thousands of OTR drivers that get no respect at all and have tens of thousands more in line ready to take their place if they are terminated for some petty reason .

 

I would say the OTR experience would help you no matter whether it's a local company or not. Sounds like both companies are OTR? It would not really matter who you are with then. A more local company is usually more personable than a big company. Just take your time and use common sense and you should be fine either way.

There is no secret formula for gaining experience. Just time.

 

Without knowing much for details the obvious answer is local of course.

Sounds like you may be concerned about going out on your own without any training. You completed a 10 week course, you should know how to control the truck. The rest can only be learned by doing. No matter how much time you have with a trainer the real learning starts when you get out on your own. Just use your head, don't rush and make sure you know where you're going.

 

It all depends on you. Personally, I would jump on a local gig with higher pay over the major carrier I'm going to have to go with. Local companies down here require at least a year.