CDLA switcher/yard goat. Does it count as CDLA experience.

It will all depend on the company. I know companies that all they care about is that your CDL is aged a little, and you know how to oporate a truck and trailer.

 

Depends on the standard set by the insurance company. Alot say XXX years experience in 'like' equipment.

While you do possess a unique set of skills; there is still a lot of day to day trucking you don't do.

However, you may look atractive to some local carriers, like LTL companies who may consider you to be easily trained to adjust to the longer day cab VRS driving a switcher.

 

Does the job require a CDL. I'm guessing it does if you drive even one inch on public roads. Some shady employers hire people without a CDL and use them for CDL work. Don't work for those employers

If the job requires a CDL, and you have a CDL, it will count as CDL experience, but only as a yard truck driver. Each future employer, and their insurance company, will decide what qualifications they need for any job they post.

 

true on all you said, but the fact that he’s in a better situation with his backing skills vs someone fresh out of school is still a plus.

 

To a certain degree. Go back and read what @gentleroger actually said. Yard drivers work hard. I have a lot of respect for most of them. But as Gentleroger said, they are doing the same backs all the time. They know every aspect of the place where they work. They are also driving a vehicle where they can back up with a line of sight an OTR trucker can only dream about. Put them in a road tractor and the ever-changing environment that an OTR trucker faces and things get a bit complicated. Pay attention to the term "reference points" used. I spent years doing this job. I have millions of miles driven. I have been in some situations in those years where I still have nightmares over. The only thing about driving a yard tractor v a road tractor that is the same is how you set up a backing maneuver. Outside of this, almost everything is different. Again I am not saying yard drivers can't do this job. I'm saying the job is more different then simular and they are going to need to have a mentor with them for hopefully a brief time.

 

Oh, indeed it is a plus - just not one that he will get any tangible credit for. He will have to go through "inexperienced hire" orientation and will get paid thr "inexperienced rate".