Farm Experience

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by AbbandonZK, Apr 2, 2018.

  1. AbbandonZK

    AbbandonZK Light Load Member

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    I got off the road last year and got a hourly job at a nursery for 15$/hr 25-35hr/week. I honestly enjoy working here, pay is correct, equipment is ok, co-workers/boss are decent human beings and I'm enjoying all the benefits of being a local driver. However the truck I drive is farm plated and I had to pickup a second job as a dishwasher for 10 hrs a week. Right now I'm biding my time while I save up to move to the PNW, which leads me to ask this question.

    1. Am I throwing away the two (horrible) years of OTR by working here? Will I need to start back at the bottom at some junk OTR company when I move to the PNW late this year?

    Thanks for reading.
     
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  3. motocross25

    motocross25 Road Train Member

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    I don’t think the farm plating has anything to do with the price of tea in China. As long as it’s a combination vehicle and verifiable you should be alright.
     
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You won't have to go to a OTR company. Shop around and you'll find something local. Don't mention farm plating when you apply; it was tractor-trailer local work.
     
  5. AbbandonZK

    AbbandonZK Light Load Member

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    Thanks guys for responding.
     
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  6. pmdriver

    pmdriver Road Train Member

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    No matter where you go, when you start again it is just that, you need to prove yourself, always be on time,,keeping up with all the paperwork and giving great service. The ones who been there for a while worked themselves into that position.
     
  7. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    The less-than-full-time position might hurt you when applying to other jobs. Curious.....how many mi do you drive on a normal day ?
     
  8. AbbandonZK

    AbbandonZK Light Load Member

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    25-200 with 200 being the rare extreme. I start at 7 or earlier and I’ll usually get off around 1-4pm depending on the workload.
     
  9. GreenPete359

    GreenPete359 Road Train Member

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    You have 2yrs otr in you last 10 right? Don’t apply to a mega and you won’t have to worry about it. Most smaller company’s could care less, as long as you have some otr seat time
     
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  10. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    As long as you don't let that 2 year OTR work get a year or more into history you should be good. At most reputable carriers, the work you're doing now probably won't carry as much weight (if any) as the other OTR work you mention.

    A lot of the better options will want to see 2+ years verifiable OTR in last 3. However, lots of places have "refresher" options for those that let too much time elapse. So, I'd just keep doing what you're doing if it's working for you now, and deal with the rest later.
     
  11. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yeah, you see, you're driving about 100 mi/day. If a potential truck co questions this, it doesn't add up to much experience. (500mi/week, 2000/mo, 24,000/yr.)
     
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