Flatbed Companies: Georgia/Florida Line??

I think China gave a good answer about not being a student/trainee after you go solo. The caveat to that is "it depends on the company". For example, some companies may have a minimum OTR requirement of 1 year but they might have a program whereby you are a student or trainee if you have 6 months experience.

Another example is I have more than 25 years experience all with a dry van and if I wanted to pull a tank, I would have to be trained to do that job. I would be considered a "trainee" at that point.

 

Yep, that's why I mentioned the industry magazine ads. Next time you are at the Pilot (or Wilco), pick up some of the magazines and you will see the advertisement I am referring to. It says it is a 26 week (or less) course in Carlise, PA. If the end goal is Heavy Haul, Keen, Rinaudo, and Bulldog would be places to contact.

Regarding the OTR experience, yes, the time spent as a local driver for 6 months is not going to count for much. The driver can go driver (shift gears) and can probably back into some difficult spots easier than others with more years of OTR experience but companies want to know the driver can handle adverse weather conditions and be able to be away from home for weeks at a time. I'm not suggesting I agree with that, I'm saying that's a couple of reasons why the local experience doesn't count for anything when it comes to an OTR job.

 

This thread is now 4 months old, but was curious, @TwSysPar , if your husband ever found his next company. You can't get us trying to help you like that, then just up and leave without telling us how the story ended.

Really hope it turned out well for y'all.