Have class A but no OTR

Hey everybody! Well was wondering if any of you can shed some light on this subject: I have my class A but all my experience has been local or in straight trucks for the past 7 years. I would like to drive a big truck but from what I am gathering trucking companies want OTR experience of at least 6mos. to 1 year. I know that CRE has a refresher course but from all I have read on here it makes me a little skidish to go with them. Are there any other companies that offer a refresher course for someone in my situation?

 

Is there anybody out there? I guess no one knows of any cos. that offer a refresher course. HMM?

 

Most companies will give you that information on their website.

 

Heartland Express has such a program.

 

As it were I'm in a similar situation. Have a class A, and no OTR experience. No one OTR is talking to me unless I got thru another ($1500 worth) 40hrs. class or have 6 mths. OTR experience. Makes me wonder how I'm going to ever get in a big truck myself. Part of it is how the world is...unless you know someone, who knows someone, you can hang it up. I've had 2 more offers for bread van and dump truck / straight truck work. Guess it's that for me, unless I want to keep starving. Hope the rest of you guys are having a bit better run of luck. GA is kind of dead at the moment. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Here's hope and trying.

 

this only works, if you know someone who knows an O/O.

The big companies and their insurance, want to see that experience. And/Or a recent certificate from a school. They don't give a #### who you know.

 

Why would you want OTR anyway ? I worked for Eastern Seaboard Packaging in Norcross . If they have openings theyd hire you . They supply boxes to U-Haul stores in GA and AL . Most trips are day trips . They put you in a motel on the overnight trips . Check trailer repair shops . I also worked for Peachtree Truck and Trailer Repair . They have shops in Atlanta and Suwanee .

 

bigcountry thanks for the info but I called them and the recruiter says they are not doing that right now.

 

Find a smaller company. stay away from the big outfits.

 

As for as OTR company are concerned no OTR experience is them same as never having set foot in ant truck every. You also have to have 6mos in the last 3 yrs. I know guys who have several years of over the road. But not in the last few years.

funny thing is that with 2+ yrs of OTR locals would love to hire you. Prefer even. Thats why I always told my students to stay with OTR 2+ yrs then you can do anything. But 20 yrs as a local means nothing to OTR.