Is OTR required to gain experience?

OP is retired military. I have guys in the club who were army, navy, marines. Half the club is ex LEO. The army and marine guys are beaten up. Back issues and fused necks. And they are decades younger than me. I figure OP should be mid 40s, he didn’t say anything about his health, but odds are if he’s got lots of years trucking in the military, he’s gotten beaten up too. I have moved quite a few military vehicles in my time and they were rough riding. On the other hand, any job he gets in this industry will be easier on him physically.

I would think the construction companies would be ideal for him.

 

Local jobs are often just right place, right time kind of things. Most want some OTR experience, but many will take whatever they can get in a pinch. The markets tough right now, so that may be harder to find. Keep an eye out for local work with low hourly-pay. A lot of drivers pass those over without considering that most CDL jobs are 60-70 hours per week, and OT starts at 40.

 

I am in the TMC pipeline now. TMC will absolutely hire you with no OTR experience. You will have to go through an abbreviated training/testing. Much shorter than I will have to go through as a CDL student, but they promise weekly home time.

 

Yet another option you really should be aware of....

In Clarksville, TN....you are 70 miles from the Dot Transportation terminal in Smyrna, TN.

That should qualify you as a potential driver for that carrier.

Dot Transportation is easily one of the best reefer fleets in the industry (& hires/trains beginning CDL drivers):

Partners & Military

-- L

 

First off, HOOAH...from one Army vet to another!

Second, some questions:

1) Were you MOSQ'd as an 88M during one or more of those years?

2) Were any of those military vehicles either combination, five-axle, or both?

3) Did any of your driving involve crossing state lines?

If "yes" to 2 and 3, that may help you out even more (and I may know of a place or two for you to look into). "Yes" to 1 just enhances your resume even more.