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5 years exp. Clean mvr. Can’t get hired?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by cthomas341, Oct 5, 2023.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Oct 5, 2023 #1
    cthomas341

    cthomas341 Bobtail Member

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    Hey everyone, I’m facing a bit of a dilemma. I’m currently looking for a company driver position to run otr. I have 5 years driving experience. First three running otr reefer. Last two years running local flatbed in a daycab for a steel company. We run a mix of 38ft, 48ft, and 53ft flatbed, step deck, tandem and spread axles and conestoga trailers. I drive all depending on my route for the day. Occasionally for smaller orders I’ll drive straight trucks as well. Even yard trucks jockeying trailers around the lot. I was just told by an otr trucking company that requires one year experience they couldn’t hire me because I didn’t have enough recent experience driving a 53ft tractor trailer combination. Is this some kind of joke? I was definitely thrown off by that. Here I am thinking I’m easily qualified for top starting pay and they tell me this? Have any other drivers experienced this? I hope this isn’t a going to be a problem with other otr companies. They said it was insurance related.
     
    cthomas341, Oct 5, 2023
    cthomas341, Oct 5, 2023
    #1
    OldeSkool, bryan21384, Chinatown and 1 other person Thank this.
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  3. Oct 5, 2023 #2
    JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

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    Don't mention smaller trailer sizes just tell the job you're applying to that you've been pulling 53 footers.
     
    JonJon78, Oct 5, 2023
    JonJon78, Oct 5, 2023
    #2
    Blagoje, silverspur, Deadwood and 5 others Thank this.
  4. Oct 5, 2023 #3
    lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    ^^^^^^What he said^^^^^^

    Also: to assist you better...some more info would help out a lot:
    • In what part of Ga do you live?
    • What type(s) of freight are you pursuing?
    • What CDL endorsement(s) do you you have (if any)?
    • Any accidents/incidents in those 5 years?
    • Any citations in those 5 years (in a CMV -- or not)?
    Note also: the overall CDL market right now has tightened up markedly -- and so carriers (generally speaking) have gotten more picky.

    -- L
     
    lual, Oct 5, 2023
    lual, Oct 5, 2023
    #3
    tscottme Thanks this.
  5. Oct 5, 2023 #4
    tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    I heard the same thing after 3 years OTR and then 18 years of home-daily regional/hourly pay. They want what they want.
     
    tscottme, Oct 5, 2023
    tscottme, Oct 5, 2023
    #4
    Nashville Thanks this.
  7. Oct 5, 2023 #5
    cthomas341

    cthomas341 Bobtail Member

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    I’m in the metro Atlanta, ga area. I have tank endorsement but never pulled tank. I have a few years exp with reefer and van and 2 years experience with flatbed. Clean mvr no accidents, tickets, etc.. clean background, no failed drug tests. No criminal background. I’m looking to get back on the road and put down some miles and make money. The local stuff just hasn’t done it for me. Overworked and underpaid. I miss the open road. I was pretty excited for Crete. I’ve heard good things about them. They check all the boxes for what I’m looking for but they are the ones refusing to hire me.
     
    cthomas341, Oct 5, 2023
    cthomas341, Oct 5, 2023
    #5
  8. Oct 5, 2023 #6
    cthomas341

    cthomas341 Bobtail Member

    26
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    Feb 8, 2018
    0
     
    cthomas341, Oct 5, 2023
    cthomas341, Oct 5, 2023
    #6
  9. Oct 5, 2023 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Chinatown, Oct 5, 2023
    Chinatown, Oct 5, 2023
    #7
    Wargames Thanks this.
  10. Oct 5, 2023 #8
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Don't mention the length of the trailers. Most companies couldn't care less about that anyway.
    Focus on "I've been driving for 5 years."
     
    Chinatown, Oct 5, 2023
    Chinatown, Oct 5, 2023
    #8
    Numb, wis bang, Wargames and 2 others Thank this.
  11. Oct 5, 2023 #9
    lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Some suggestions....
    • Over the long haul (pun intended) -- you'll make more money, if you have more endorsements. Go back -- and pick up that hazmat, and also....that doubles/triples endorsement, too. Then start job searching, again.
    • If you want to run high miles with what you currently have, you could try putting in a completed application with Indian River Transport. Lots of west coast runs. Mostly food-grade tanker duty. Pretty recession-resistant work.
    • Also -- look at this website: www.thekag.com . They have opportunities that will put that tanker endorsement to work, both regional -- and OTR. Pretty much all they do is tanker work.
    -- L
     
    lual, Oct 5, 2023
    lual, Oct 5, 2023
    #9
  12. Oct 5, 2023 #10
    iraqralph43

    iraqralph43 Road Train Member

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    A few years back...If you hadn't driven under d.o.t. rules or regulations..in the last 3 years...Crete would make you go with a trainer for 8 weeks..before hiring you
     
    iraqralph43, Oct 5, 2023
    iraqralph43, Oct 5, 2023
    #10
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