Looking for advice on new OTR driving gig

Chinatown · Apr 19, 2022

Home - Britton Transport

Chinatown · Apr 19, 2022

Holland Enterprises, Inc.

Chinatown · Apr 19, 2022

Nationwide Motor Freight Company | Abilene Motor Express

Chinatown · Apr 19, 2022

This one is dry van. Not sure about rider program.
BALKAN EXPRESS LLC

Snowshoes · Apr 19, 2022

flipz34 said: ↑

Looking for advice on new OTR driving gig. Wasn't sure where to put this as I'm not a new driver but have been working local for the last 7 years with very little class A work (Tandem axle dump truck with 24' tilt bed trailer). Mods, if this needs to be in another area, please feel free to move as needed.

A little background on me. I retired from the Air Force in spring of 2015 and started driving for Prime. I did that until April of 2016 when my wife got sick, and I had to come off the road and find local work. I wound up working for my father-in-law driving small dump trucks (under CDL) running heavy equipment tearing down houses. My FIL decided he wanted to step back and semi-retire in early 2017 so my wife and I started our own business and basically took over for him. So fast forward 5 years, and I’m totally burnt out on the demolition work. Insurance is terrible and our main customers are slowing down on their projects. New competition is under cutting us by up to 50% on some jobs. I need a change. We have my wife’s auto-immune issues under control so that’s no longer a concern.

I am looking to go back OTR. I am looking for advice on companies to apply to. I would consider Prime, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. When I left, they said they would put in my file that I would be eligible for rehire if I wanted. The thought of driving a lightweight tractor doesn’t appeal to me.

Since any Class A driving that counts is so old, 6 years at this point, I believe I would need a company that would offer a refresher course as I need some rust knocked off and the backing polished up. Of the companies I have looked at it seems like they have very little information on their websites as far as pay and other information that seemed easy to find when I was looking 7 years ago. Haven’t for one yet that show hiring area map.

I am leaning toward reefer right now. I prefer longer runs. I did some short pick-up and deliver same day/next day with Prime but those wore me out if it went on too long. Doing that for a couple of days to get set up on a long run is acceptable.

Basically, what I’m looking for is a company with decent equipment, fair pay and good length of haul. I’m under no impression that I’m going to walk into the perfect job out the gate. I am willing to put my time in to get myself eligible for the retirement job later. I do not have Hazmat or TWIC right now but am in the process of getting them. Based out of Abilene TX

@Chinatown what suggestions do you have?

TLDR version. Tired of local, want to go OTR. Minimum class A driving in last 7 years. Need to knock rust off. Located in Abilene TX
Click to expand...

I currently work for Pride Transport out of Salt Lake, we do have a few drivers from Texas. You might have to go through the 50 driving hours eval period. I had mine done in a week. We have several lanes that you might be interested in. Give recruiting a call. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Feel free to send PM if you would like.

kranky1 · Apr 19, 2022

flipz34 said: ↑

Looking for advice on new OTR driving gig. Wasn't sure where to put this as I'm not a new driver but have been working local for the last 7 years with very little class A work (Tandem axle dump truck with 24' tilt bed trailer). Mods, if this needs to be in another area, please feel free to move as needed.

A little background on me. I retired from the Air Force in spring of 2015 and started driving for Prime. I did that until April of 2016 when my wife got sick, and I had to come off the road and find local work. I wound up working for my father-in-law driving small dump trucks (under CDL) running heavy equipment tearing down houses. My FIL decided he wanted to step back and semi-retire in early 2017 so my wife and I started our own business and basically took over for him. So fast forward 5 years, and I’m totally burnt out on the demolition work. Insurance is terrible and our main customers are slowing down on their projects. New competition is under cutting us by up to 50% on some jobs. I need a change. We have my wife’s auto-immune issues under control so that’s no longer a concern.

I am looking to go back OTR. I am looking for advice on companies to apply to. I would consider Prime, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. When I left, they said they would put in my file that I would be eligible for rehire if I wanted. The thought of driving a lightweight tractor doesn’t appeal to me.

Since any Class A driving that counts is so old, 6 years at this point, I believe I would need a company that would offer a refresher course as I need some rust knocked off and the backing polished up. Of the companies I have looked at it seems like they have very little information on their websites as far as pay and other information that seemed easy to find when I was looking 7 years ago. Haven’t for one yet that show hiring area map.

I am leaning toward reefer right now. I prefer longer runs. I did some short pick-up and deliver same day/next day with Prime but those wore me out if it went on too long. Doing that for a couple of days to get set up on a long run is acceptable.

Basically, what I’m looking for is a company with decent equipment, fair pay and good length of haul. I’m under no impression that I’m going to walk into the perfect job out the gate. I am willing to put my time in to get myself eligible for the retirement job later. I do not have Hazmat or TWIC right now but am in the process of getting them. Based out of Abilene TX

@Chinatown what suggestions do you have?

TLDR version. Tired of local, want to go OTR. Minimum class A driving in last 7 years. Need to knock rust off. Located in Abilene TX
Click to expand...

You could be looking for work hauling bananas to the moon on a flatbed and @Chinatown probably has a list of companies with current or former driver references. Speak and China will unload the information cannon on you.

flipz34 · Apr 19, 2022

kranky1 said: ↑

You could be looking for work hauling bananas to the moon on a flatbed and @Chinatown probably has a list of companies with current or former driver references. Speak and China will unload the information cannon on you.
Click to expand...

That is the absolute truth. Which is why I tagged him in the post. He ever leaves this forum no one will know where to apply to

bryan21384 · Apr 19, 2022

flipz34 said: ↑

Looking for advice on new OTR driving gig. Wasn't sure where to put this as I'm not a new driver but have been working local for the last 7 years with very little class A work (Tandem axle dump truck with 24' tilt bed trailer). Mods, if this needs to be in another area, please feel free to move as needed.

A little background on me. I retired from the Air Force in spring of 2015 and started driving for Prime. I did that until April of 2016 when my wife got sick, and I had to come off the road and find local work. I wound up working for my father-in-law driving small dump trucks (under CDL) running heavy equipment tearing down houses. My FIL decided he wanted to step back and semi-retire in early 2017 so my wife and I started our own business and basically took over for him. So fast forward 5 years, and I’m totally burnt out on the demolition work. Insurance is terrible and our main customers are slowing down on their projects. New competition is under cutting us by up to 50% on some jobs. I need a change. We have my wife’s auto-immune issues under control so that’s no longer a concern.

I am looking to go back OTR. I am looking for advice on companies to apply to. I would consider Prime, but it wouldn’t be my first choice. When I left, they said they would put in my file that I would be eligible for rehire if I wanted. The thought of driving a lightweight tractor doesn’t appeal to me.

Since any Class A driving that counts is so old, 6 years at this point, I believe I would need a company that would offer a refresher course as I need some rust knocked off and the backing polished up. Of the companies I have looked at it seems like they have very little information on their websites as far as pay and other information that seemed easy to find when I was looking 7 years ago. Haven’t for one yet that show hiring area map.

I am leaning toward reefer right now. I prefer longer runs. I did some short pick-up and deliver same day/next day with Prime but those wore me out if it went on too long. Doing that for a couple of days to get set up on a long run is acceptable.

Basically, what I’m looking for is a company with decent equipment, fair pay and good length of haul. I’m under no impression that I’m going to walk into the perfect job out the gate. I am willing to put my time in to get myself eligible for the retirement job later. I do not have Hazmat or TWIC right now but am in the process of getting them. Based out of Abilene TX

@Chinatown what suggestions do you have?

TLDR version. Tired of local, want to go OTR. Minimum class A driving in last 7 years. Need to knock rust off. Located in Abilene TX
Click to expand...

You've got more than 2 years tractor trailer experience, so that's a good thing. How long did you drive for Prime? Climate Express won't require you to do a refresher. We've got guys that we're out of trucks for long stretches and they do good over here now. Shoot me a PM and we can talk it over if interested

flipz34 · Apr 19, 2022

bryan21384 said: ↑

You've got more than 2 years tractor trailer experience, so that's a good thing. How long did you drive for Prime? Climate Express won't require you to do a refresher. We've got guys that we're out of trucks for long stretches and they do good over here now. Shoot me a PM and we can talk it over if interested
Click to expand...

Was with Prime for 1 year and came home April 2016 so CDL is pretty stale right now. I have moved some trailers for some customers (van and flatbed) and my backing was...well let's put it this way...I couldn't have gotten wet if I fell out of a boat. I would welcome a backing boot camp so to speak

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