Where are the Real OTR Jobs?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by dieseltrooper, Jun 12, 2014.

  1. dieseltrooper

    dieseltrooper Light Load Member

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    OKC,OK
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    I see so much focus on regional and home weekly, which I understand, that I'm having a tough time finding what I'm looking for: OTR reefer or van, .40 or better, with affordable health coverage.
    Holland was looking pretty good, buy would have been a pay cut and higher insurance.
     
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  3. Stormdriven

    Stormdriven Medium Load Member

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    Are there any good "Head-Hunters" for this business.

    At the top of the Driver profession. It's difficult to know where to go. With so many companies misrepresenting the truth about the jobs they offer.

    I would be willing to pay someone (actually knowledgeable & skilled) to do this. To hook me up with the right job at the right company.

    Why do I get the feeling I just gave away a message million dollar idea.
     
  4. Dr_Fandango44

    Dr_Fandango44 Road Train Member

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    The true head hunters can turn out to be pretty expensive option in the professional world. but in order to get amongst the best jobs, needs a little knowledge and some digging. They can be hiding in plain sight, so I guess you have to start talking to a lot of folks who maybe know more than you do. You're just not going to find them on any forum.
    Only out there in the real world
    sometimes it can take a bit of luck, but great deals take time to find.
    Good luck.
     
  5. osumike33

    osumike33 Light Load Member

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    I know the reason I typically book 'regional' type loads is that they are so much more profitable....why drive for $2 a mile when you can do it for $3+? I am sure there are longer runs that pay more, but much fewer. So, whether a guy goes home every week or not, up to him depending on where he lives, but the best money is in the shorter runs, and I'm talking 300 - 450 miles usually. As for health care - ACA has created some decent rates for people in a lot of states to be purchased directly from what I've seen, so at least it's available. Guy that drives my reefer made $.65 a mile last week, all miles (3304, which is much more than usual) and that included deadheading out of a shipper after sitting and waiting 9 hours - did not want to lose the next two loads.
     
  6. DrivingForceBehindYou

    DrivingForceBehindYou Medium Load Member

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    ChicagolandOfOpportunity
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    Actually if you use internet there are ads as ambiguous as it gets where the person behind it
    submits your application to a bunch of companies and then collects commission if you are hired
     
  7. Honch

    Honch Light Load Member

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    Ehh... you aren't referring to USF Holland, right? We only do local / line-haul, OTR would be news to me.
     
  8. RubberDuck198

    RubberDuck198 Light Load Member

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    Lemme check my atlas
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    The good employers are hidden, because they don't need to advertise. I found my mom and pop shop by accident driving passed it, and by chance they were looking for a driver.

    They offered 48 cpm for an OTR position hauling a reefer. They had a small fleet of W900L's, which were wide open. They offered a 401k, paid time off, free (to you) health plans and bi-weekly home time on the weekends.

    You just have to do some digging, and not look at larger companies. As a veteran driver, you should already know that small mom and pops are the way to go.
     
  9. RubberDuck198

    RubberDuck198 Light Load Member

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    Lemme check my atlas
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    What you could do is go on the various social media sites and just get your name out there. Facebook has plenty of communities that have small shop owners. You'd be surprised at the connections I made on Facebook and the job offers I got just by doing this.

    Facebook does have its uses.
     
  10. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    One company that has a good reputation for treating its drivers well, along with excellent pay and benefits, is Tyson Foods out of Springdale Arkansas. Their phone number is 1-800-933-6442.

    You may want to give them a call. I do hope that you are in their hiring area.
    Tyson foods hauls beef, chicken, lamb, pork, and various frozen foods to all 48 states. If I am not mistaken, their drivers average anywhere from $56,000 to $60,000 plus a year. Some of the drivers earn less, others earn more.

    Good luck! God bless you and your entire family!
     
  11. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Longview, TX
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    There are plenty of reefer outfits small to mid-size who have average length of hauls in excess of 1500 miles. It may be on the same lanes for the most part month in and month out but they're out there. Dry van, you will not have much luck running far and wide as you will with reefer.
     
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