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Is hauling wood chips good experience?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Zonno, Nov 8, 2020.

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  1. Nov 8, 2020 #1
    Zonno

    Zonno Light Load Member

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    I’m currently working for a relative hauling wood chips and bark. It’s local (home every night), but the pay is a bit unreliable (on a good week I can gross $700-800, on a bad week I may gross less than $500) due to the plants closing down. There’s also zero benefits. No health or life insurance, and no paid time off. No direct deposit even.
    Needless to say, this is a temporary job until I get experience and find something better. My question is, does this count as experience even though it’s not OTR? On Indeed, some companies will say they want ___ amount of OTR experience, whereas some state they want tractor-trailer experience but don’t elaborate on whether it needs to be OTR or not.

    I’m glad to have a local, home-every-night job with not much experience, however low the pay/benefits may be, but if I’m not going to be able to find something better later on, I’d rather go ahead and go OTR for a little while, as I’m single with no children.
     
    Zonno, Nov 8, 2020
    Zonno, Nov 8, 2020
    #1
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  3. Nov 8, 2020 #2
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Some companies may be ok with it but most want you to have experience otr. If you are ready to make a change, post your location and @Chinatown can probably help you find something.
     
    kemosabi49, Nov 8, 2020
    kemosabi49, Nov 8, 2020
    #2
    Chinatown, Puppage and Zonno Thank this.
  4. Nov 8, 2020 #3
    Blue Zombie Trucker

    Blue Zombie Trucker Light Load Member

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    Nov 1, 2017
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    It's definitely experience. Not OTR, obviously, but significantly better than nothing. And don't sell it short, there are a *lot* of similar driving jobs.
     
    Blue Zombie Trucker, Nov 8, 2020
    Blue Zombie Trucker, Nov 8, 2020
    #3
    magoo68 Thanks this.
  5. Nov 8, 2020 #4
    Hazmat Cat

    Hazmat Cat Medium Load Member

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    Oct 18, 2019
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    Sounds like you are getting experience but not making much money at all. But being home is nice.
     
    Hazmat Cat, Nov 8, 2020
    Hazmat Cat, Nov 8, 2020
    #4
  7. Nov 8, 2020 #5
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Canuckistan
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    Probably learn more hauling woodchips than you would OTR anyways.
     
    AModelCat, Nov 8, 2020
    AModelCat, Nov 8, 2020
    #5
    Zonno, magoo68 and Rugerfan Thank this.
  8. Nov 8, 2020 #6
    lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    Sorrento Maine
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    Make sure the rear door is latched. Local here didnt have it latched.
    Got to the plant and had lost 75% of the load and got a ticket from the state trooper behind him
     
    lovesthedrive, Nov 8, 2020
    lovesthedrive, Nov 8, 2020
    #6
    Zonno Thanks this.
  9. Nov 8, 2020 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Job satisfaction is important and can lead to a longer life.
    `
    When researching a company, don't look at reviews as 100% accurate. I've never even looked at reviews because I prefer to make my own judgement about a company.
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2020
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    #7
    Trucker61016 and Blue Zombie Trucker Thank this.
  10. Nov 8, 2020 #8
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Last edited: Nov 8, 2020
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    #8
    Trucker61016 and Zonno Thank this.
  11. Nov 8, 2020 #9
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Southern Ag Carriers | Truckers Review Jobs, Pay, Home ...
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    Last edited: Nov 8, 2020
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    #9
    Trucker61016 Thanks this.
  12. Nov 8, 2020 #10
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    Just because you don't think you qualify for a company, doesn't mean you won't be hired.
    If you see a company you like, submit an application and let the company make the decision.
     
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    Chinatown, Nov 8, 2020
    #10
    Zonno Thanks this.
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