New to OTR

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by adzozs, Jan 17, 2010.

  1. adzozs

    adzozs Bobtail Member

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    Jan 17, 2010
    Auburn,New York
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    hi everyone,i am new to OTR trucking and im looking for some newbie pointers. Here is a little back round on me, i currently work for a small local equipment rental company here in central new york as their heavy haul driver. Things were going good until the the last couple months and to say the least things arent like they used to be. so i am looking for better oportunities and hopefully more respect. Ive been looking in my area for jobs but theres nothing. so this is where you guys come in ! This is what im looking for, not sure if a company like this even exists but here we go; company that does flat bed , pneumatic tank,or speacillized trailers, operates in the NE, has very good home time,and hopefully assigns you a truck that you get to take home on home time. So.. is this possible? or should i just keep looking in my area hopeing something opens up? since i am looking for something otr, what is a really good company to work for regardless of what the haul. (ie..millis,TMC,SWIFT). sorry if im all over the place, im just tring to find the best company to work for and be close to home. thanks alot guys for any help or pointers would be great!!
     
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  3. Sarge

    Sarge Light Load Member

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    Sep 9, 2007
    North Florida
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    IMHO.
    If you have a job right now you'd better hang on to it. And what ever you do, don't quit until you have another one. If you want to keep driving and stay current.
    I don't know your exact situation but trucking is an up and down occupation. I mean things are great when it's good and when it's bad well you get the idea. You gotta ride it out the best you can, if you can. Sometimes that's not possible.
    I wish you all the luck.
     
  4. fella126

    fella126 Bobtail Member

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    Oct 28, 2009
    syracuse,ny
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    Try H.O.Wolding. They're based up in Wisconsin,but they haul from the Midwest to the New England states.......which will put you in CNY area twice each week for sleepovers. A friend of mine that drivers for them says that HOW(co.logo) means "Home on Weekends"!! He loves 'em.
     
  5. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    I agree with Sarge and that's pretty much the advice that is given . If you have a half decent job keep it , especially if being respected is a concern . These larger companies have no respect for their drivers . Why do you think they keep hiring inexperienced drivers when there are tens of thousands of experienced drivers out of work ?
    Just read the posts here a while .
     
  6. Crisco_Britches

    Crisco_Britches Bobtail Member

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    Jan 22, 2010
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    It sounds as if you are looking for a job that doesn't exist and if it did, lots of drivers would give their left foot to have and keep it; Specialized hauler, NE area, good hometime, allowed to take the truck home. Unless it is a small operator, I don't think many will know about it.

    The typical OTR companies you mentioned (Swift, TMC) will not be giving good home time PLUS stay in the NE area AND be specialized hauler. Too many variables to match for large companies. Remember, they are in business to make money for the company - NOT satisfy detailed needs of each driver.

    As posted others, if you have a job, hold on to it because the OTR waters are rough right now. Lots of drivers get low miles each week and end up trying to survive in the sleeper of a truck. I must point out that Winter months is typically a slow season for equipment rental companies - especially in your area (I know because I spent the first 20 years of my life in the Catskill Mtns of NY). If you have to, get a part time job that covers a few nights a week to help the cash flow. The slow economy can't go on forever and you'll have a consistant job history driving AND companies will be raising pay AND hiring drivers.
     
    groovemachine Thanks this.
  7. SmokeMac

    SmokeMac Medium Load Member

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    Jan 31, 2009
    Savannah, GA
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    Like Crisco said wait until April and see what happens construction always gets slow this time of year
     
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