quick ?? about getting back in a semi

After about 6 months back as OTR driver, then many opportunities will be there for you. Here's some examples:

Trimac Transportation - start out @ $60K-$80K per year.
A&R Logistics - $62K-$72K per year.
SVTN
Tyson Foods(private fleet)
Sherman Bros.
Decker Truck Line
Maverick Transportation
Bynum Transport

Start researching now for your next move in case the first OTR company isn't one you want to stay with. I call it the "backup plan".

 

I called Trimac at 7 months experience. They want 1 year. I now have 9 months and called them again. They still want a year. lol

 

I was just reading about Dartco, Inc and they have a refresher if you need one. It's a dry van company.

 

Another company to check on is Maverick. Maverick will not require a refresher but may require completing 3 -4 weeks with a trainer. Good luck.

 

OTR companies are funny. I had to bite the bullet and take an OTR job in 2011, because Colorado Springs sucks, and all the major carriers I talked to balked at the fact that I didn't have recent OTR time, in spite of having recent time hauling heavier loads and operating in much more adverse environments and conditions than their drivers ever would. I got on with a small flatbed company in Colorado Springs, worked for them for two weeks and did well, then they switched insurance providers and the new provider wanted them to pay an outrageous amount to cover me, since I didn't have six months recent OTR time. By that logic - and, keep in mind that I'd been driving tractor-trailers since 02 - a six month rookie would be insurable, but a much more experienced driver whose experience wasn't OTR would not be... makes as much sense as tits on a bull to me, but I don't make the rules.
Anyhow, CRST Malone had no problem taking me on, and so I drove for a small fleet owner who was leased on with them. But I had T-T time (and recent time, to boot) under my belt... not so sure how that would pan out in your case. Might have to bite the bullet, go the refresher route, and bide your time until you can move on to someplace better.

 

Ptl Paschall truck lines in Murray, ky will take anybody seriously anybody.. But they are just like any other starter company in the end.. If you can't make money with one company going to another isn't going to help you at all find a company, learn how to make money with them, then when you feel like you have hit the ceiling as far as pay ie making above average pay checks and know it's not going to get better, then move on.. Don't move on over something about home time or miscommunication, because if you do hen you. Just got to ask yourself is this job worth it, or are you Persuing the right career..

 

Absolutely terrible advice. Home time is important. It's the reason we work.

 

Yea but people just starting out have to go over the road for a minimum of so many months or years to get that really good job, if you think you are just going to come out of school start out in your career at the best job where you come home like you want, the. You are either rich and have a truck of your own, or you are kin to a local company.. If this is not you then you have to tell yourself I am doing this for the long run that way in the future after I get my experience then I will be in a good job comming home more often..

 

Sure there are exceptions, but generally I get home when I want. And that's not to say anything great about the company I work for. My company sucks and I say that on these boards regularly. But with a little research you should be able to find a company that gives you pretty decent home time. You know, there is a difference between companies that will keep you out for months on end and companies that will keep you out for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. And then the more regional companies where you are home, more or less, every week. Folks just need to do their research. Never jump into anything blindly.

 

Yea, I'm trying to look for a good job for my next year in trucking but I'm not leaving this one for two more months, if that tells anybody how much they should be looking into a job before they sign on.. But when I say leave because of home time, you got to admit there are people who are just coming out of trucking school and want to be treated like a veteran because the veteran gets to go home every night... I just look at it like a goal, pretty much the first year sucks at any company the second year gets better but the third year will be a lot better.. That's the way I look at it anyways, but like you said there are exceptions for everything out here..