Just quit OTR for Local..have a couple of questions

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by BROKENSPROKET, May 28, 2015.

  1. BROKENSPROKET

    BROKENSPROKET Medium Load Member

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    Jan 22, 2011
    Wisconsin
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    I have over 150k miles in 16 months pulling a flatbed OTR.

    Just quit Tuesday to take a driving job for a local farm.

    Its a huge operation, but its field to farm and farm to field. Spreading liquid manure from a combination tanker in the spring and fall and everything in-between is hauling silage and corn from the field to the farm. I will make more money with a few months off in the winter than I did my first year OTR.

    I made the change to be home for my father, whose health is declining. I do want to go back to OTR after he passes and his estate is settle, but I hope that won't be for a while.

    My question is this. Will it be hard for me to get back on with a OTR flatbed company after having a local driving job like I described?

    I appreciate any replies.
     
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  3. unloader

    unloader Road Train Member

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    Depends on the company you will potentially seek future employment with. I have more local / regional experience than I do OTR, yet most of the companies I have looked at since the oilfield downturn have cleared me for hire. I have two years tractor trailer experience.

    Basically each company will treat it on a case by case basis. Also it will depend on how long you stay local. I believe three years is the cut off. So if you drove local for three years you'd technically lose your OTR experience and may have to start over from scratch. Again depends on the company and their insurance.

    unloader
     
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  4. sherlock510

    sherlock510 Road Train Member

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    As long as it is a combination vehicle I don't see the problem. Really, unless they state OTR experience is all we accept, then ya should be fine..
     
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  5. BROKENSPROKET

    BROKENSPROKET Medium Load Member

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    Jan 22, 2011
    Wisconsin
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    Yes, it is a combination vehicle. The liqua-manure is a regular combination tanker and I believe the silage and corn is a combination hopper.
     
  6. rda2580

    rda2580 Heavy Load Member

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    Feb 22, 2012
    Lower Michigan
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    No need to stress about it now! Do what you need to do for your family Broken. Things will definitely change and you might find you prefer local by then.
     
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  7. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Apr 16, 2014
    high plains colorado
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    Hi Brokensprocket, congratulations on becoming a " Liquid nutrient application specialist". ( Shxx hauler) 1st, I think it's great what you did. My folks recently passed away, (last couple of years) and it's good you want to help. 2nd, I worked for a big operation farm for a while, and while the work is challenging, farmers are some of the best people I've ever known. You might really like it, and never want to go OTR again. No traffic jams, loading/unloading hassles and the only scale you go over is at the feed mill! If you do decide to do that again, I don't see any problem, except for maybe a stupid refresher course. I live in N.Wis. now, if I can help you at all, give me a holler. Best of luck.
     
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  8. BROKENSPROKET

    BROKENSPROKET Medium Load Member

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    Jan 22, 2011
    Wisconsin
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    Thanks for that. I am in West Central Wisconsin. The most challenging part is the off road hills, from what I hear.

    I have back-hauled alot of hay my first year. I agree, generally, I like the farmers the best. Most of them, anyway. Salt of the earth.
     
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  9. rda2580

    rda2580 Heavy Load Member

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    Lower Michigan
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    Hopefully they will keep busy during the winter also.....always looking for milk
    haulers in Michigan might be the case in
    Wisconsin too.
     
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