"You have to drive OTR 1 Year before anyone will hire you-Myth or Fact?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Locke, Sep 6, 2015.

Page 2 of 7
  1. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2005
    Messages:
    48,811
    Thanks Received:
    225,738
    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    0
    I've been trucking for 14 years and not one day was in a truck with a sleeper.

    There are ways of starting out where the CDL mills need not even be involved. I started with a local contract hauler and a construction company that runs dump trailers.
     
    MACK E-6, Sep 6, 2015
    #11
    Pintlehook, Shaggy and AModelCat Thank this.
  2. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2008
    Messages:
    22,474
    Thanks Received:
    20,137
    Location:
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    Not bad at all hed rather you do it and done right then a shop who doesn't care about the quality of work they do.
     
    pattyj, Sep 6, 2015
    #12
  3. Mr.X

    Mr.X Heavy Load Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2013
    Messages:
    737
    Thanks Received:
    596
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    0
    Myth, there are jobs in all sectors for new CDL drivers, some start local some start long haul. Better money long haul for a new driver 90% of the time.
     
    Mr.X, Sep 6, 2015
    #13
  4. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2011
    Messages:
    7,296
    Thanks Received:
    6,031
    Location:
    NEPA
    0
    Myth. I left school with my CDL and took a rental car to Waldorf, MD. There, I was tossed the keys to a 98 Pete 377, told to bobtail across town to get the trailer and then head to Virginia to pick up a beer load.
     
    windsmith, Sep 6, 2015
    #14
  5. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2015
    Messages:
    29,159
    Thanks Received:
    158,627
    Location:
    Canuckistan
    0
    I know quite a few guys that refuse to run otr when they can make more money and have more home time working locally.
     
    AModelCat, Sep 6, 2015
    #15
  6. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    15,317
    Thanks Received:
    209
    Location:
    Green Bay Wi
    0
    it is all myth and all true
    patty says ALL companies have regional?
    could that be true
    not at my company
    most will find it easiest to get a job after experience
    my company wont hire anyone under 2 years experience to get a break on insurance
    regional is really OTR for most companies just a smaller circle
    i run as hard and far as anyone on here
    as OTR as you can get WI to CA and back and have never been out more then 10 days
    all OTR isn't out for weeks home 34 hours
     
    Cranky Yankee, Sep 6, 2015
    #16
    TruckDuo and MJ1657 Thank this.
  7. Lightside

    Lightside Medium Load Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2015
    Messages:
    667
    Thanks Received:
    143
    0
    For those great local gigs usually it's who you know over any experience.
     
    Lightside, Sep 6, 2015
    #17
    Dreamboat and Tonythetruckerdude Thank this.
  8. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2008
    Messages:
    22,474
    Thanks Received:
    20,137
    Location:
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    That's true I knew a lady who got a local job fresh out of school and 2 yrs later she's still there.A friend got her the job.
     
    pattyj, Sep 6, 2015
    #18
  9. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2015
    Messages:
    29,159
    Thanks Received:
    158,627
    Location:
    Canuckistan
    0
    Honestly word of mouth for hiring works better than any HR department IMO. Providing you trust the judgement of the person making the recommendation.
     
    AModelCat, Sep 6, 2015
    #19
  10. terryg247

    terryg247 Light Load Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2015
    Messages:
    268
    Thanks Received:
    133
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    0
    I would imagine it differs from area to area in terms of hiring qualifications. I have been told by a number of companies in my area that I need one winter OVR then they will look closer at my resume. I would think if there was a sudden driver shortage in the area they would take much less or no experience to get a driver in the seat
     
    terryg247, Sep 6, 2015
    #20
Page 2 of 7