Do local trucking jobs have better retention?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by ad356, Jan 17, 2018.

  1. ad356

    ad356 Road Train Member

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    I have been actively trucking for over a year now accident free. Have I outlasted many newbies going into local jobs or is the retention just better then otr. Yes, I bailed from otr but by no means did I exit the entire industry. Now I haul the heavy loads, well compared to otr which is usually only 80k, I'm more like 100k and an 18 speed transmission.

    Not only am I still at it, but for the most part like what I'm doing. Average pay of 1k gross consistently.

    Anyone deciding to bail completely from trucking I always suggest local, home daily work. It just might be your niche.
     
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  3. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Way to go! Sadly, the only way to get into trucking today, is the mega/otr schpiel. It has a horrific turnover rate. BUT, if you stay the course, like you did, it looks mighty impressive to a local running outfit later on. There's a reason local jobs are hard to get, nobody ever quits. Like you say, if someone is looking to quit, here's a success story. Good work.:thumbup:
     
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  4. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    LTL jobs average under 10% annual turnover. Few jobs beat that.

    OTR LT jobs consistently have 100% turnover. Before the 2008 recession companies like Swift even reported 120-130% turnover. People left the company quicker then they could heard them in the door!

    So yes there is a vast difference. Indicators: Driver turnover rate swelled in second quarter
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
    SplashDogs and 201 Thank this.
  5. ad356

    ad356 Road Train Member

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    I left otr after 3 months, basically once spring came and opened so many local jobs the companies can't fill them. Construction and agriculture both open in the spring.

    I never even took my own Werner truck. I completed training and never returned. Could not bare leaving the wife and son
     
  6. Texas_hwy_287

    Texas_hwy_287 Road Train Member

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    @ad356 Have you seen the new ad from werner. They must be desperate to fill out those spots.
     

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  7. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Basically you are right. However there is one small exception IF someone qualifies. Here in Virginia you can get a grant to attend a driver school with the government paying for it. There are 2 people I know that went through this program came out of school with a class A CDL got OJT and are working local. Some of these local company's are so hard up for drivers they will train you.
     
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  8. ad356

    ad356 Road Train Member

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    My current company gave me 3 weeks of GOOD training with the owner himself. He has been driving over 30 years. I must say he was a much better trainer then the putz of a trainer Werner had. The Werner training had only been driving 2 years.

    I was previously driving dump truck so he helped me make the transition. Thus far I do not regret going to Walton milk hauling.

    I'm a trucker by trade and a family man at night. It doesn't get much better then that.
     
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  9. ad356

    ad356 Road Train Member

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    No I have not, something tells me it's still Werner and they probably still find a way to make it suck. Also I bet the pay is a lie. My boss was honest about the pay. 1k per week before taxes.
     
  10. ChaoSS

    ChaoSS Road Train Member

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    Better companies have better retention. The higher the pay and the lower the bs factor, the more likely people are to stay.

    Local jobs are easier to keep people interested though, when things get slow no one likes time off, but time off at home leaves drivers much less pissed off than time off at a truck stop 1700 miles from home with no idea when you'll be heading out.
     
  11. BrandonA24

    BrandonA24 Light Load Member

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    What do you guys do on the the off season of agriculture or construction? Surely you guys go find other temp work?
     
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