Torn between what to do with my license

Tampa isn't bad. Miami to J'ville is extremely heavy traffic. That would be plenty of OTR experience for you.

If I were a rookie, and a company I've already established a name with offered me a driving gig, I would HAVE TO try it out. If it doesn't work out, you can always go OTR.

I get the feeling that those drivers you talked to are purposely giving you bad advice. Reread everyone's post and read mine again. And when you're done, remember this warning: WATCH YOUR BACK. any time someone tells you to do what they themselves wouldn't do, they're out to hurt you.

 

I'd take the local job, especially since you are already employed with them. IMHO driving otr which is generally highway driving is the easy part. In town driving can be the tricky part. I think if you have the chance to learn that first, go for it. Just take it easy and careful. Don't get in a hurry, and when you get flustered in traffic, that's when mistakes happen. Just stay calm and think ahead all the time. Some of the new guys I work with we're former otr drivers, and they comment all the time how they are trying to get used to the in town driving. So, I think its worth a shot. Good luck!

 

OTR is normally slow paced hands on training. Going local right after trucking school puts you in high paced world that doesn't allow for too many mistakes. After a few moving violations not only will the insurance company want your company to fire you. You will also find it hard to find an otr job as well. If your cdl is important. I would get all the practice I can get. Yes you have the same chances of making mistakes otr, but getting the feel of a way a tractor trailer acts will help you maneuver in cities with narrow streets. The old timer's know what they have to deal with on a daily basis. So it might be wise to listen to them.

 

colin89, what a couple others have said makes perfect sense to me, you already have the job, you will drive tractor trailers from time to time and if i read it correctly you will get a chance to stay out from time to time -yes? and play OTR driver.
I dont know how tight Miami is -- but you could easily get with a company that sends you in even tighter situations in some other state consistently. Seems to me you could use your own company for a while to see how you like it. And if you wanted to go full blast OTR later you could try some other company.
But if you jump ship now and go OTR, would you be able to get your job back ?
OTR isn't for everyone, and it seems like you have a good opportunity to test the waters where you are at.

 

If your company has offered you this, they must be happy with you (maybe the other guys are jealous?). That seems like a good start, if the pay and benefits are what you need.

What is it that you WANT to do? That's your answer. If it were me though, I would stay right there. They are promoting you. If you go otr, you're on the very bottom, and most likely, just a number.

 

Just be focused. When I first trained and went solo I was in a 92 cab over with a set back axle. Then I went with a company with a 1989 kW 600 First place they sent me was downtown Philadelphia pa. I was to say the least puckered up. But I made it in and out unscathed. But vowed never again.

 

I have driven through Miami making local deliveries, and traffic is bad as in any other big cities. And I was driving a dry van in a residential area, not fun at all but you can do it. Just be extremely careful and don't worry about those crazy drivers honking at you, they are not Professional drivers, just remember that.

another thing about Miami is that the Ciry is like New York, it is by blocks, or square map, if u will...

 

Happy new year.... guys!!!!

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...alk/236302-2014-happy-new-year-my-fellow.html

 

I think this is the correct answer! I have never trusted fellow employees that told me to quit my job when they themselves won't quit.

 

Pretty much the same advice. Stick with current employer, at least for now.

What kind of benefits do you have now? Are you union? If you leave you'll lose seniority. Biggest job mistake I ever made was leaving a union job. I had the best job in the plant and thought I could do better going into business for myself...