Having trouble geting back on the road

Same thing happened to me. I have fifteen years experience, but the last 7 of those were Local work. I got laid off the local gig and tried for OTR again. Most good OTR companies won't touch you without recent experience. The lower end companies that offer training will require you to go with a trainer for a few weeks, and then want to pay you a inexperienced rate. I think it has more to do with the insurance companies then the actual companies themselves.

In my opinion i found peddling a 48ft box around NY, NJ, Philly and Baltimore is much more difficult then running OTR, and going in tight quarters periodically so i don't understand the concept of what kind of experience they want?

If you can find a Owner/Operator that could vouch for you that is a big help. Someone to just say "yeah he didn't work for me, but teamed with me a few times a month to help out.". That would make you a casual driver and i think if the company hiring you pulls strings that is considered by insurance companies as "Keeping your CDL up"

Now this is only here say from another driver i know, so maybe others can correct me if i am wrong. I no longer drive. I gave it up 2yrs ago and got into HVAC, but i am missing it!! I still got my CDL and i am considering jumping back in.

 

I had the exact same problem. After 3 years of local driving no one wanted to touch me. I got lucky and found a small 85 truck company that decided that driving locally into Charlotte and Atlanta metro areas every day was more than enough experience. Just keep looking and don't give up. You may get frustrated but it'll work out. I'm back out on the road with a great small company.

 

The Big Orange is looking for drivers in your area to work their Bulk Division.

I've been here for 6 months now. I make better money than most new drivers that talk honestly about what they make and drive a nice truck. I have only two complaints and neither add up to much.

Orientation is three weeks and if you can drive the truck you can shave that a couple days. Just show good common sense, ability to go backwards and pay attention to the information given during the classroom week.

It's not "instant" but it is a quick return to OTR work.