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For newbies wanting home time

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TnVols Trucking, Sep 21, 2012.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Sep 21, 2012 #1
    TnVols Trucking

    TnVols Trucking Light Load Member

    115
    32
    Sep 6, 2012
    Nashville, Tn
    0
    For all newbies so concerned about hometime, and have issues at home that want to ho local to be at home everynight, better do some research. I as well as you have issues, and truly need to be at home. But for a second let's be serious.... This is a job that is not only a job, but a lifestyle. You can't honestly exPect to get a CDL, and not expect to get a decent job without putting in your dues as an OTR driver. This is NOT a job for you if you are asking about hometime a few weeks before you have even graduated. Be prepared to go out, see OUR country, put in your dues, and then think about local. OTR drivers make money and gain experience, put in their dues, THEN apply local. Who in their right mind will hire a fresh student with no experience when there is 100 other applicants applying at the same position that has experience OTR. OTR drivers drive in rain, snow, mountains etc. Research this great forum, and see what it takes. For every 10 new graduates looking for local work, there is 100 with OTR experience applying too. Guess which one will be hired? Not you. Suck it up, and then you can afford to be choosy
     
    TnVols Trucking, Sep 21, 2012
    TnVols Trucking, Sep 21, 2012
    #1
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  3. Sep 21, 2012 #2
    pilottravel2002

    pilottravel2002 Medium Load Member

    688
    156
    May 25, 2011
    Tucson,az
    0
    Well said...
     
    pilottravel2002, Sep 21, 2012
    pilottravel2002, Sep 21, 2012
    #2
  4. Sep 21, 2012 #3
    TnVols Trucking

    TnVols Trucking Light Load Member

    115
    32
    Sep 6, 2012
    Nashville, Tn
    0
    Thank you pilot. I just get fed up with the whole home time questions. Like I said, I have a very big reason to be home every week. But, this is not a job for folks wanting to clog up this forum asking about home time so much. EVERYONE wants to be home, but it's just not feasable. Put in your #### dues, and then ask. If you are asking nOw, this isn't for you. Sorry if the truth hurts btw.
     
    TnVols Trucking, Sep 21, 2012
    TnVols Trucking, Sep 21, 2012
    #3
    TRKRSHONEY Thanks this.
  5. Sep 21, 2012 #4
    road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

    3,428
    8,690
    Mar 26, 2012
    Montucky
    0
    I graduated CDL school and got picked up by an LTL carrier. I have never driven OTR.... As a matter of fact, I have never seen the inside of a sleeper cab truck (heard they are roomy though). I am home everyday and off every weekend/holidays. Either you are wrong or my terminal manager was out of his right mind when he picked me up. There is a thread docked under the questions for newbies which talks about local jobs without ever going OTR. I actually read and followed that thread and decided OTR wasn't right for me due to the lack of hometime. Which is also why I chose local since they have that hometime along with better pay. People do need to do their own research. If ya don't wanna do OTR... Then don't.
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2012
    road_runner, Sep 21, 2012
    road_runner, Sep 21, 2012
    #4
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  7. Sep 21, 2012 #5
    rockee

    rockee Road Train Member

    1,393
    673
    Apr 17, 2007
    Pacific Northwest
    0
    While the odds are against you getting a local job right out of school it's not impossible. As a matter of fact there are a few drivers on here that got on local without going OTR. Sometimes it's just a matter of being at the right place at the right time.
     
    rockee, Sep 21, 2012
    rockee, Sep 21, 2012
    #5
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  8. Sep 21, 2012 #6
    aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

    5,927
    5,226
    Aug 24, 2011
    Sunny Tampa Florida
    0
    How long have you been OTR?
     
    aiwiron, Sep 21, 2012
    aiwiron, Sep 21, 2012
    #6
    rockee Thanks this.
  9. Sep 21, 2012 #7
    rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

    1,077
    21,274
    Jan 4, 2011
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    The idea that all new drivers HAVE to go OTR is a myth. Do you think all drivers at Coca-Cola spent years OTR? LOL, nope.
     
    rogueunh, Sep 21, 2012
    rogueunh, Sep 21, 2012
    #7
    OldDude50, chipnbugs, Lonesome and 1 other person Thank this.
  10. Sep 21, 2012 #8
    Jaycee

    Jaycee Bobtail Member

    6
    1
    May 8, 2011
    Westville, IL
    0
    I got a local job out of CDL school. I just started applying to local places with the thought " what is the worst they would do.....say no?" Also helps we have both Mclanes and Sygma distrubution centers less than a mile apart.
     
    Jaycee, Sep 21, 2012
    Jaycee, Sep 21, 2012
    #8
    road_runner Thanks this.
  11. Sep 21, 2012 #9
    BUCKWILD

    BUCKWILD Bobtail Member

    20
    8
    Sep 15, 2012
    southerntier
    0
    I think your chances will depend greatly on where you live and what exist there for carriers.

    My area has many small companies - 10-15 trucks or less but the issue is insurance. They are too small to self-insure and the Ins. Co. will dictate required experience, usually 1-2 yrs or no coverage. The Mega carriers like CR and Swift self insure(place money in a Ins "pool") allowing them to hire noobs like me because they dictate their own requirements.

    You really need to do your homework and knock on every door you can, but i think the odds are poor at best. Luck or right place-right time will be a huge factor.

    You really need to form a plan for what you intend to do, I'm working on mine and this forum is a great resource for anyone considering entering this industry. Get on here and read everything, not just the titles that interest you and ask questions. You may decide this is not the path for you at all.
     
    BUCKWILD, Sep 21, 2012
    BUCKWILD, Sep 21, 2012
    #9
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  12. Sep 21, 2012 #10
    RAGE 18

    RAGE 18 Road Train Member

    1,529
    941
    Jan 31, 2011
    GOLD£N☆STAT£
    0
    When i graduated i applied locally but no breaks n i wasnt going to sit at home and cross my fingers hoping for that call n pretty much was told 2yrs xp needed. Ok fine then REGIONAL IT IS. Been doin it for 4 yrs now going on my 5 and those doors that were closed once have opened even more with hazmat n twic...time to come home.
     
    RAGE 18, Sep 21, 2012
    RAGE 18, Sep 21, 2012
    #10
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