can a 2 1/2 yr rock hauler make it otr ?

If you go with one of the big bad arse companies you see posted about here all the time, they will likely make you go back to school again, and start all over. You probably need to find one of the smaller companies to get on with. Or maybe an O/O who would be willing to team with you and sort of get you back into the swing of things.

 

Only thing you can do is put in some Apps and see who hooks.. i dont think you would have a problem getting a job but you have to get your stuff down (logs paperwork etc) the the question you asked really iasnt something we can answer.. if you think you can do it go for it. if not see about getting a regional run where your home a couple times a week.

 

Be prepared to most likely take a pay cut if you go with one of the bigger companies too. Seriously, if you are getting good hours and some overtime and don't have any problems with where you are at, I wouldn't go OTR. You are actually pretty lucky that you didn't have to go OTR out of school to get experience before getting a local job.

If you want to go OTR, I get it. It does seem to have a lure to it, even if you were already out there once and hated it. I did it for a year, and have been local for 2 now. I am starting to get the itch again.

 

Can you? Sure.

Will you? Maybe...maybe not.

One thing for sure, if you can back up a 34' end dump, you can back up a 53' dry box. Longer trailers aren't nearly as twitchy when you are backing....it'll be like backing in slow-motion.

I did the OTR thing starting out....then came off the road to do the local thing for a while before playing in the woods hauling logs. When the log hauling gig came to an end, I had been OTR for 2 out of the 4 years I had held a class A CDL...and the ads said "2 years OTR required"...but what they MEANT was "2 out of the last 3 years OTR required"....and only 1 of my years OTR fell inside of that 3-year window.

That was the hardest time I ever had finding a job in this industry. A lot of these companies don't view "local" work as relevant for t/t experience....even though the skills you acquire getting to, in, around, through, out, and from a job site pulling a dump or log wagon will have you light years ahead of most freight haulers when it comes to maneuvering in tight places, awareness of what is happening around your vehicle, and especially BACKING....among other things.

I eventually came back off the road and I'm doing the local thing again. I don't really care what sort of wagon I pull, or what is in the wagon, as long as I'm home to take my breaks.

 

Why would you want to go over the road ? If you are getting a per hr pay working days and sleeping in your own bed at night you are better off where you are at, in my mind that is.Been there and done to over road stuff and now I like staying at home working days and sleeping in my own bed at night .

 

My advice is stay where your at and suck up whatever overtime you can....after 17 years of long haul I just started doing what you are doing now I don't miss long haul or the BS that comes with it..

 

Couple of reasons. First, it may be required by their insurance. Second, they will pay you rookie pay for a bit, thereby getting your services for less money.