Looking for local work while OTR-tips?

Like most of us already said, it's being at the right place at the right time! as long as you can verify even 5 months of experience, if they need someone and you walk in to fill an application, you mite very well get the call. Good luck

 

Just apply, apply, apply, then apply. Old heads told me there was no way in hell I could get a good local job when I was 22 and I got a good local job when I was 22. It took 4 1/2 years to really pay off but do not allow allow these guys to discourage you if that's what you wanna do.

Not trying to be an ######, but look around next time you're at a truck-stop and determine for yourself if these are people you really want to take career advice from.. I've struck up conversations with many drivers who obviously take a great deal of pride in what they do and without fail they were surprised to learn I have been driving for over 8 years due to my appearance and personal presentation when I'm not wearing a Con-way uniform and am driving my personal vehicle.

 

Until you try to get them little trailers with trucks in some of them mom and pop gas stations that you can barely get a couple pick up trucks in, Then those trailers won't seem so small...

 

get a copy of your MVR scanned on your laptop and have a resume saved on your laptop so you have something to email to prospective apps. you get more consideration if you have your MVR included. your criminal background wouldn't hurt either.

problem with being OTR. is you won't be home when they want you to do a road test. problem about giving 2 weeks notice is most companies want someone that can start right away. being a truck driver isn't exactly the kind of job that allows for 2 weeks notice. with the job your quitting, OR the job you want. most companies just say SO LONG.

i quit my job. after 6 months. applied for a decent sized construction company. 4 weeks later they finally called me in for a drive test. that was 8 years ago. march is the best time of year to look for a job. but right now construction is the WORST industry to be in.

with so many people looking for work. and all you new truck drivers now. one needs to make the biggest advantage possible. in other words. you need to sell yourself.

there are twice the amount of truck drivers NOW, then there were when i first started 8 years ago.

 

No doubt.. My favorite thing to hear when I was a P&D driver.. We get 53' in here all the time..lol.. That was my all time favorite Con-way dispatch saying that was no way near true. I wish I had taken pictures of some of these joints I went to..

If nothing else, that crap taught me a lot about driving. The other day I put my back box against the dock for the first time. Pretty pleased with myself after that..

 

You can do it, I came off the road after 3 months with schnider, was only making .22 amile that was in 99. I set up work with a concrete truck co. It was class b but I was home and made more than over the road. Back then they paid me $10 hr and worked 60 to 70 a week and it was easy. Then I worked for a beverage and wine and liquor distribution co. Called southern wine and spirits, moved on to working for a hazmat company hauling tankers and even owned my own truck for a bit hauling containers. Keep at it and don't give up and you will get what u want.

 

That was then. This is now...
Not as easy as you think. I just went back to a concrete gig for part time work. 2 years recent exp OTR or local with CDL, plus have to have exp in a mixer. Times have changed my friend...

 

Hmmm....... Having the internet access while on the road helps. And, you have the right idea about not quitting your job until you find another one.


However:

1) Almost Every local job i've landed, i was jobless/not working at the time----applying for a local job can be, and i find personally is, a job in and of itself; Several hours a day of inquiring, getting apps/filling them out, organizing notes, making calls, driving around etc. And this was when things were "normal." i think most companies now only take apps over the net, so in a way this may be good for you.

a) i was able to get a local job with overnite with only 1 month OTR experience. Of course, again, this was when things were "normal." But even now, i think the notion of you can't find local if you don't have any experience is generally untrue. Although it probably is tougher now, due to the economy supposedly being bad.

b) if i was working while applying for a local job, it was when i was also working a local/regional job at the time.

2) Are you really suffering right now doing OTR? What are your reasons for wanting to come off the road? Do you have family reasons or do you just not like being out there for so long?

a) perhaps stick it out(if you'll pardon the expression) for a few months more to when you have 1yr experience under your belt. This will make things much easier.

As a suggestion, you might try applying with a temp company and work locally while looking for a local gig. i've never even been to Co. so i don't know how things really are there, but think TransForce has at least one office in the denver area. i think temp companies are more understanding that you are currently on the road and can't nessesarily come in immediately to take drug tests/road test etc., since they are loose anyways with regards to scheduling, and could probably accomodate your time availability better than a "real company."