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Local driver looking for landing a OTR job....need help

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Pyrtruckin, Mar 31, 2011.

  1. Mar 31, 2011 #1
    Pyrtruckin

    Pyrtruckin Bobtail Member

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    Jun 4, 2010
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    Hi this is my first post here and while I am not exactly a new driver I am not an otr driver and that is where I could use some advice.

    I have had my CDL for about 4 years nows and received it from my employer which is a beverage distributor and we do all local deliveries to stores from within about a 80 mile radius or so from our plant.

    I took this job 4 years ago so I would be able to get my CDL because I didnt have the money or the time to take off from work to go to a Trucking school in high hopes to go OTR. I know there isnt always great pay in it and I do pretty well where I am at now but this is something I have wanted to do since I was a kid.

    Well after having my CDL for some time I have contacted some companies and most of them dont give you much thought without any OTR experience and not having gone to a school.

    So my questiong is where do I go from here, would it be a good idea to go to a school now to have that plus my driving experience or am I just not looking in the right places. I am getting a bit discouraged and was hoping someone my be able to give me some advice to get up and go on the road.

    I live in Minnesota if that might bring up some companies to look into, and I would also like to try the flatbed business, but all that can come in time.

    Hopefully I am not just creating a new thread that has been done over and over again but I couldnt find much.

    Thank you
     
    Pyrtruckin, Mar 31, 2011
    Pyrtruckin, Mar 31, 2011
    #1
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  3. Mar 31, 2011 #2
    Bucktrucker

    Bucktrucker Medium Load Member

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    ON THE ROAD SOMEWHERE
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    Schneider will hire you as long as your driving record is ok. Even if they want you to go through some classes don't think it will cost you anything. Good luck with what ever you find. Times a tough out on the road but can be rewarding at times.
     
    Bucktrucker, Mar 31, 2011
    Bucktrucker, Mar 31, 2011
    #2
  4. Mar 31, 2011 #3
    walleye

    walleye Road Train Member

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    Aug 21, 2007
    Land of Cheese
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    Personally I wouldn't leave a good local job,.........

    Having said that,....

    Have you talked to the drivers that are delivering the beer to the distributor you work at??

    Though it isn't flatbed it may be a way to go OTR and work for a company that has freight that can get you home,....
     
    walleye, Mar 31, 2011
    walleye, Mar 31, 2011
    #3
  5. Apr 1, 2011 #4
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Apr 1, 2011
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    You know, I had the same problem when I went back to driving OTR. TMC turned me down because I hadn't any recent OTR time, and the Roehl recruiter acted like he had some sort of chip on his shoulder. I found my current job on Craigslist. Mind you, I did have OTR experience (just not since 03) and I did have experience with securing loads to flatbeds, equipment trailers, etc. Look there, perhaps? If you've been driving a tractor-trailer for four years, there are companies out there who won't jerk you around and make you take a 40 hour course when a simple logging class would suffice, you know?
     
    WitchingHour, Apr 1, 2011
    WitchingHour, Apr 1, 2011
    #4
  7. Apr 1, 2011 #5
    DirtyBob

    DirtyBob Road Train Member

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    This situation makes no sense to me still. Having just recently graduated school, I guarantee you, a guy that had a local job, would be much better prepared to run OTR than I am.

    A local guy is going to have to learn to deal with driving all the miles they can every day, being away from home, and driving through new types of terrain and environments. All things that you don't learn in school, only from experience. Only the difference is you'll know how to handle a vehicle while I'll still be trying to figure that part out along with everything else I just mentioned.
     
    DirtyBob, Apr 1, 2011
    DirtyBob, Apr 1, 2011
    #5
    Flying Dutchman Thanks this.
  8. Apr 1, 2011 #6
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Broomfield, CO
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    The thing of it is, someone with four years experience isn't going to be hired on as a brand new driver - they'll be looking to be hired on as an experienced driver (and rightfully so). OTR companies want OTR drivers. You have to realize, these companies get incentives to train new drivers. They get paid for it. Not the case if they end up training someone who isn't an entry level driver. It's not qualifications they're worried about so much, as it is incentive.
     
    WitchingHour, Apr 1, 2011
    WitchingHour, Apr 1, 2011
    #6
  9. Apr 1, 2011 #7
    Pyrtruckin

    Pyrtruckin Bobtail Member

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    Jun 4, 2010
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    Thanks for the replies so far, and for witchinghour, I am glad to hear that it isnt just me having troubles or in your case have had troubles with this and its not just me. I know there new things I will have to learn when I find an OTR job but my driving record is flawless and its frustrating getting the same response of not being considered with no OTR experience. I will look into schnieder and keep my eye out on craigslist and such.

    Wish me luck I know someday its got to happen.
     
    Pyrtruckin, Apr 1, 2011
    Pyrtruckin, Apr 1, 2011
    #7
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