Looking to stay rollin'. 9 mo. experience, where can i go??

Yea its slow everywhere. If i were you though, i'd hang in there for 3 more months or so, you'll be able to get you a nice local job and make the money you deserve. Another thing you could do is see if your company has a dedicated account in your area because that's really where the money is anyway.

 

That depends. Some dedicated runs are low miles less money. Some local gigs don't pay well, and if a good paying local gig is open it usually goes to a more experienced hand that wants off the road. If it is still open could be there is a problem with that gig.

 

I don't understand the thinking that if a local gig is open it may not be a good one. Or if a company is advertising they are not a good company. With drivers attitudes these day it seems that as soon as one thing goes wrong they want to quit and go somewhere else.

True, some companies are s###. Some local or dedicated runs are s###. But there are still good things out there that need to be advertised. It is harder to find the diamonds in the rough these days. Experience does count for a lot, but not always. I went with a company that advertises a lot and am pretty happy with them. But I understand trucking, and that things are rarely, if ever, perfect. I have had issues with miles, pay, etc. But I try to find the right person and work things out.

Bo, as far as the miles drop off and sitting, it happens. I have 12 years in this industry and believe me, you can get into funks where it seems like you get the short end of the stick for months at a time. It's kind of like a baseball player who was an MVP one year and the next can't seem to hit the ball off a tee. Sometimes you just get in a funk.

If you are in a situation where the company trained you and wants a one year commitment I would ride it out for that year. And when you look for another company to go to take your time and research it thoroughly. One thing that goes farther than anything in this industry is work history. If you become a company jumper it will reflect in your ability to find a better job down the line.

 

I have had a few local gigs. I have one now. I have junk equipment I can't get fixed. Sometimes I get in just long enough to shower and eat and lay down a few hours then I am rolling again. I bust my tail. A lot harder than when I ran OTR. I have had other local gigs when I left when it was dark and came home when it was dark.

After you have been in this awhile and have done OTR and local you will understand the difference and will know there is bad gigs in all fields. Is a local gig good if you see your family less than when you was OTR? Or you sleep less when you was OTR and work harder?

 

See, that sounds like one of the s####y ones. I was local, hauling gas. Five 12hr. days, $20/hr. plus OT after 40 hrs. Got hurt in a car accident when a friend lost control of the car and we hit a tree. While off recovering from my injuries I was laid off. And thanks to the economy, and low volumes of gas in my area, there was no one hiring. It's still real slow in gas here in Columbus.

That was a perfect "local" gig. I would not take what you are doing.

 

I took this gig as I was told we have older trucks ( I have a 2000), but we have a guy that comes out at night and on weekends to fix what you right up on it. Yeah right!!! So I found out. This was a step to get me home. If it did not work out it put me home to be here to interview and not 12 states away. I have 6 months to go back OTR if nothing else opens up. I have put in 1 AP OTR with weekends home. They told me to check back at the end of this month. Trying to hold out. Got 2 more aps I am about to put in with weekends home. Just buying time till I decide what to do.