career path advice

I have a class A cdl with X endorsement. I got my cdl a in May 2011 and was hired by Schneider, went through training and drove solo, NE Regional for a total of 3 months. Left because I got frustrated & was naive about the trucking industry & probably had unrealistic expectations. In hindsight, should probably have stuck it out but I didn't. I did a little flatbed driving this spring, just a temp thing, and want to get back to trucking. Some of the larger OTR companies will have me but I think I would prefer local LTL work. Home daily, hourly pay, etc. They are a challenge to get hired by with my limited experience. I feel I need more time with a trainer & some LTL companies will do that but I may have to do time as a dockworker to even be allowed to apply for a driver position. Don't know how long that would take. Not sure if that's more cdl driving opportunity wasted or is that the best way to get with an LTL company? Or am I best off just taking my lumps OTR, getting training & experience from them for a year or so & then moving on from there? I want to learn to do the job right & definitely feel I would benefit from a little further training & instruction, especially given the amount of time off in the past year. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated, from newbies, veterans & anyone in between. Thanks for your help.

 

Thanks to all who responded! Let me clarify. Ultimately I think I want to drive local for the hourly pay, benefits & home daily. I hear its better money than OTR but hear other opinions about that. Don't know if local is LTL only or other opportunities as well. Also a lot of dock work at my age? I'm 49 yrs old & have been a home improvement contractor for 22 yrs, so I understand physical work. Dock work probably ok for now but down the road don't know how much is required as I gain seniority. Mostly I want the home time so I can eat healthier, hit the gym to stay in shape & have something of a social life. As I said previously, I am currently single & unencumbered. Don't intend to stay that way forever. For the time being, I can be very flexible. I want to get the best driver training & experience I can, I believe in doing things the right way, giving my best. I have 3 mos OTR experience that is a year old. Had to take a refresher to get hired anywhere now. Keeping that in mind, where do you think I will get the best experience: OTR or local/LTL company (if I can find one willing to train)?

 

Thanks Gizmo- That's what I suspected, that's what my gut was telling me. I have made mistakes tho because of my lack of knowledge & understanding of the industry so very helpful to hear a veteran's opinion. I'm going to try to get in with Roehl.