Is 1 year of experience really the majic number?

Yes, you should be able to get hired on with 6 mos + experience. Check with the hiring requirments of the companies you wish to apply with and submit your applications as you are able.
You will have a better chance of getting hired on while you are employed.

Check this link for job info:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/trucking-jobs/

Best of Luck to You and Your Success!!!

 

There are all kinds of "local jobs" when it comes to driving. It just depends on what you want to do. Beverage companies will often hire drivers that appear to be more "salesperson than driver." Also aggregate companies are not particular about that. OTOH, I've never seen an aggregate company that did not suck to work for.

Most of your freight companies really do want that experience. When you are driving local, you are constantly fighting urban traffic, something the OTR driver gets a bit of a break from.

Most LTLs will want to know you can keep from hitting the idiot who is really asking to get hit! Not to mention putting the trailer into docks that were designed for straight trucks only. You will certainly find some interesting times doing local work, if you get it.

To answer your question accurately however, a person would need a crystal ball. It just depends...

 

It all depends on what type of job and the company. The better jobs want more than just a year. Most tanker jobs require at least 2 years and I've seen some that want more. If you're hauling general freight then maybe you can get by with a year it all depends if you need special training to do the job. But even with a year the job will most likely be better than the entry level jobs. It's a stepping stone and if you get a chance I believe you should go for it. Nobody can blame you for wanting a better job.

 

One of the guys I went to school with got a good loal job right out of school... I got a good deceant job, not local, but I didn't want local, right out of school...

There are good jobs out there... you have to find them and go get them... they won't come to you... and they often don't post ads either....

I found all the companies in my area, big and small... crossed off the ones I didn't want to work for... like Werner... Then I went and applied to the companies I wanted to work for... I didn't pay any attention to wether they wanted 3 months or 3 years experience.... I just went in and applied... anyway, I got on with a good company... their website says you must have 2 to 3 years experience and I had O + school... that was it, they hired and trained me.

Look, go for what you want... don't allow any excuses for less... you don't need anything but your determination.

 

That's great. I'm glad someone is doing things outside of the box. Like I've said for the past 2 years you've got to go out and get what you want.

 

I started out local,.....And have been able to stay that way since,....

Well there was a short spell where I lost my mind and hauled cars,...But other than that it's been all local,.....And I like it that way,..

 

There are many types of local jobs, some you may not even know about, I started out otr and after a few months had some reasons I needed to be home more so I started looking. Some times you may need to take a b class job to get in. I started driving a mixer truck in atlanta and it actually paid better than otr but mixer co also have the trucks that haul the material to the plant I moved into one of those positions after a while. Plus these jobs usually pay by the hour which I perfer. I have been paid by the hour, mile, load, and salary, and in my opion is hourly is the best. I moved to charleston and this type of job didn't pay as good so you have look into that. Then I did what the other fellow did and worked for a beverage co delivering wine and liqour for 2 and a half years. Are there any concrete plants in your area. They have dry bulk tankers haul concrete to mixer plants all over. Look for holcim, lafarge, or giant, maybe others in your area. Different companies haul out of these plants. Also check out equipment rental companies. But if you are willing to do some work you can make good money working for an environmental company. That is what I do now we clean up spills like the one by houston, tx right now if you have seen it in the news, we clean up disaters like katrina, but for the most part it is local work like over turned trucks, cleaning tanks, or work in plants. For this you will need tank endorsement and maybe hazmat but check with companies you would be usuing vac trucks. This is where I would look good pay and overtime. Sorry so long but hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions.