From otr to local in 6½ months

A friend of mine did that in about 8 months. He is delivering steel to job sites... union job.

 

Smart move. Many see the experience required on the job ad, and don't apply.

 

Yep you never know. A relative of mine got hired by a company that required "1 year of experience" right out of school with his class A.

 

Sometimes they just put those requirements to try and weed out the folks who are less serious about the job. Depends on the individual too. If they really like you they may try to make an exception to get you hired.

 

Good for you! Although, your experience is the exception and not the rule.

 

I agree with my friend Chompi ... and you OP!

Going in person is SO important. 2 weeks out of school, I visited a large specialty OTR trucking company with very rigid requirements. Although I didn't get an immediate offer ... I met face to face with the owner's wife. After she reviewed the packet I put together, she came back and told me - "just go get behind the wheel of a tractor trailer for a year, then come back". Didn't have to be OTR either. I expected this company to, actually, throw me out! I guess in a way they did - but - I expected them to say at least 3 years OTR.

Anyway - I had a phone interview with a VERY small company within the same genre ... and will visit them on Monday, it's all but formalities! Now I don't think I can start on their tractor trailer, but, I will start on a smaller vehichle and work up from there. AND it's LOCAL!!

Only passed my test January 19th!

 

If $18 an hour makes you happy then more power to you. Having a home life certainly won't be bad if you've got a family.

 

I started OTR in June and quit early October and got hired on with a local tanker company hauling gas the end of October. Home everyday and make wayyyyyy more money than any company OTR driver I've ever met. It can be done no doubt about it just have to apply to every company and follow up