Exp difference between LTL and OTR

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by coastietruckin', Jun 10, 2018.

  1. coastietruckin'

    coastietruckin' Light Load Member

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    Hi All,

    Just curious, is there any real difference bewteen getting your trucking experience in either OTR or LTL? I know that the backing and city driving I've done so far with LTL probably outweighs what I would have experienced thus far with OTR. But is there any experience that OTR offers that you can't get with LTL?? I mean, aside from the crappy truckstop food and mingling with the occasional lot lizard?
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2018
    Bob Dobalina Thanks this.
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  3. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, unless you’re running what we call “linehaul” you’ll be working under the local exemption.

    If you work city, be prepared to work for a living.

    There are so many differences between the two it’s tough to know where to start.
     
    Texas_hwy_287 Thanks this.
  4. coastietruckin'

    coastietruckin' Light Load Member

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    I'm working under short haul exemption right now. Although, with the hours I've been putting in I'll probably be on e-logs soon.

    As far as trucking experience goes, are LTL and OTR pretty much the same?
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2018
  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Not in the eyes of the OTR companies.

    You could’ve been driving for 30 years as a peddle hand and they’d still want to send you out with a trainer.

    I’d bust out laughing at any idiot that wants to tell me that.
     
  6. coastietruckin'

    coastietruckin' Light Load Member

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    No friggin way! All these tight turns, driving in traffic, backing up in jacked up spots, all this hustle n bustle, and an OTR company would want me to go through their training?! Ridiculous!
     
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  7. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Yes, because it’s about the four digits worth of money they want to charge you for that “training”. They want their pound of flesh.
     
  8. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    FFE (Frozen Food Express) has a terminal in New Jersey. They have LTL and regular OTR.
     
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  9. coastietruckin'

    coastietruckin' Light Load Member

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    Wow. So it's not really about the experience, but about them making extra coin of of your labor by still referring to the driver as having 'no experience'. Thats messed up.

    I only ask this because I still might like to go OTR at some point dowm the road and I'm curious if I'd be able to hit the ground running right away with a company or if they'd look at me as a rookie still.
     
  10. coastietruckin'

    coastietruckin' Light Load Member

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    Thanks, CT. An acquaintance of mine actually referred me to FFE. I wonder how their pay is.
     
  11. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, this much is for certain. You’ll fatten your pockets more with an LTL job, if you find a company that will take you with however much experience you have.

    OTR just isn’t worth it, IMHO.
     
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