What's up wth these companies? Used to be no one would let you on the highway until you had two years local work. That way you have way more experience maneuvering and backing.
I'm impressed by your tolerance to lift an ice tarp and chains. Does that count hairy? I'll just be over here with my electric pallet jack being forced to shave by the NCAA & hub manager because of produce xD. Can you come lasso that ice cream off the top of the pallet so it doesn't try an attack me in the face when it goes in the freezer please? Aim can't be worse than the Montana weekend cowboys.
You would think that all truck driving would tie in to account for something, but unfortunately it seems that it doesn't. That's why I went regional recently because the local companies require 6 months to a year of OTR before they will look at you. Funny how I can't get a local driving job because I don't have OTR experience, even though all I've ever done was drive local. But I enjoy driving regardless so I'm not complaining.
So......let me see if I'm understanding this.... You're a truck driver......that gets paid.....for everything.....you do...... ? On planet Earth?
Depends on how far regional is I think. I mean if your doing the Western Eleven that's basically OTR. In my opinion even if your only in 4 or 5 states, if your out for weeks at a time its OTR, but that's not how some companies see it. I dig OTR, pin balling all over, I get bored doing regional.
Don't get paid for the 15 minute drive one way to and from the terminal & it ain't motorcycle weather anymore. But yeah pretty much I work nights so all the managers are gone. I just go in pick up a schedule and hit the stores with the preloaded trailers out of an assigned sterling 9 spd daycab set at 62. So wave at me next time you come thru I'll wave back
If you don't offer a distinction, there isn't one. Sleeping in a truck in a different state every day is OTR in my opinion, although it may be technically considered regional depending on where you're running. "Regional" experience only counts less (in my opinion) if it's a dedicated run back and forth between the same customers. But to differentiate between the two for hiring purposes is ridiculous unless they want people with experience in specific states. Even then, total amount of experience should trump specific OTR experience. Again, just my opinion.
They (most) are looking for a few things ... having experience crossing scales frequently, and having winter weather experience, and having experience with eLogs and "big carrier" expectations. (you can make of that what you will but I gather that to mean experience with dealing with fleet equipment issues and "office politics" and safety) But not everyone necessarily is looking for this, and some will consider running 2 state regional as adequate. All depends on how desperate they are for seat warmers.
