Local Jobs in NJ

I think it's silly and backwards, but most local jobs require experience (presumably in OTR). I think the real reason is that most local truck driving jobs are with smaller companies who don't have the time or resources to train new guys, so they require drivers who halfway know what they are doing already. But in reality most local work is easy compared to being a roady. I work a 10 hr day doing P&D for a freight company and it's easy 90% of the time. Some of the larger freight companies like FedEx, UPS, ABF, Estes, YRC/Reddaway/Holland or Conway might take and train newbies though. Depends on how desperate they are for drivers.

 

I've never driven OTR and now you've got me curious. How is OTR driving more difficult than local?

 

I think it is the other way around... I drive OTR... once I am loaded I just sit back and drive, often for a thousand miles or more... that is a couple of days of just driving. I never load the truck and my company pays all lumper fees if needed, so really I just drive... local sounds like a lot more work to me with all the stopping and the city driving involved.

 

That's exactly what I think as well. I bump 6-12 docks a day. Many of which weren't designed for 53' trailers. Of the hours I'm driving per day, on average at least half are spent off the highway in city traffic. I suspect lots of OTR guys bump a dock on day one, spend two or three days driving almost 100% on limited access roads and truck stops, i.e. places which are designed to handle large trucks, before they bump another dock.

I still think my job is pretty easy but OTR driving seems like it wouldn't be all that tough by comparison. At least as far as the actual work goes. The low quality of life associated with living away from family in a 4'x8' box, using public toilets and showers and eating mostly junk food all the time is a whole different beast.

 

OTR driving is a lot easier imo. Even LTL line haul is easier than local. Local is better for you physically, especially if you work for the LTL guys. You will get a good work out every day. Going OTR he will usually have plenty of time to get the load there on time. There are some tight appointments but for the most part it seems to be laid back. Down time is there should he need it too. Of course you won't make the big bucks doing that but if you need a paycheck it's better than nothing. I did local for a while and hated it. I worked way to hard for my little pay check. I got that "I wanna be paid for my time" mentality. Well I was paid for my time but it was hard work. I still always made more OTR and did nothing for it. Now I do line haul and have to hook up doubles sometimes but that's it. Good luck