OTR

trucker574

New Member
Hello truckers. Have a question.
Heard that there’s a big demand for drivers and since so many businesses are popping up all over the place the demand is increasing. One thing confuses me. The few training institutes that I spoke with tell me that I will be required to go over the road?

If there such a big demand for drivers, why are the newbies forced to do this? Is this just a ploy to get the undesirable routes fill by the newbies that don’t know any better?
Tnx.
 
OTR is about the only place you can get your experience. When you start out new in any industry, you can't expect to step right into a good paying easy job when there are others out there, who are experienced and want that same job.
 
Hello truckers. Have a question.
Heard that there’s a big demand for drivers and since so many businesses are popping up all over the place the demand is increasing. One thing confuses me. The few training institutes that I spoke with tell me that I will be required to go over the road?

If there such a big demand for drivers, why are the newbies forced to do this? Is this just a ploy to get the undesirable routes fill by the newbies that don’t know any better?
Tnx.
YES EVERYONE HAS HAD TO PAY THERE DUES!!! I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS IS BUT I HAD TO DO THE SAME THING. DONT GET ME WRONG BUT THERE ARE SOME DAY CAB JOB OUT THERE!! BUT THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE IF YOU DRIVE A FEW YEARS OTR WITH NO ACCIDENTS THEN YOU WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO HANDLY CITY DRIVING IN A DAY CAB POSITION!!
 
usually everyone has to do otr,because having a local driving job is considered a premium job.Driving otr is like the first step of employment in a big company,local jobs are promotions almost..dont know if the comparison helped but it's all I can think of.
 
Ya many drivers prefer to be closer to home, hence the local get home most every night jobs are in demand. But if you are agressive you might just find that job that needs to be filled.
But, until you get minimum 6 months OTR you have slim hopes to qualify, in fact most local area jobs requiring a CDL demand at least 2 years verifiable driving experience.
It all depends what your life is all about, are you free to roam with no hometime needs? Then roll gypsy roll and make more dough in the short term and at the same time you will set yourself up to have the experience for a local type job in a couple of years. Even if you drive OTR, you will find most companies have decent hometime policies.
If you want it, you better prepare to do your research, make call after call, compile information, make comparisons, and you will find something you can live with...there is a driver shortage, but jumping companies does not look good on your resume......you really want it....then go find it!!!!
 
Hello truckers. Have a question.
Heard that there’s a big demand for drivers and since so many businesses are popping up all over the place the demand is increasing. One thing confuses me. The few training institutes that I spoke with tell me that I will be required to go over the road?

If there such a big demand for drivers, why are the newbies forced to do this? Is this just a ploy to get the undesirable routes fill by the newbies that don’t know any better?
Tnx.
I started driving when i was 20 years old and i ain't quit OTR driving, but thats because i like it but thats just me. but the plain and simple anwser is you have to get some real life experince to quailfy for local gigs plain and simple. go out and get you 3 years of nothing but OTR experince with being as safe as you can be meaning no tickets,accidents, dropping your loads on time and keeping maticulous logs and you can get a local route or one where your home nearly everynight fairly easy, not a guarentee but close to it.
 
Hello truckers. Have a question.
Heard that there’s a big demand for drivers and since so many businesses are popping up all over the place the demand is increasing. One thing confuses me. The few training institutes that I spoke with tell me that I will be required to go over the road?

If there such a big demand for drivers, why are the newbies forced to do this? Is this just a ploy to get the undesirable routes fill by the newbies that don’t know any better?
Tnx.

there is a glut of drivers and o/o,s and wages are depressed to say the least, these recruiters will say anything to get you in the door, news flash they are prone to telling lies. if you have other job skills you might want to think about something diff than trucking. high demand is false the trucking industry has the highest turnover rate of all over 120% that is why they are always hiring eveybody is quiting, bit they don' want you to know that. good luck with whatever you do.
 
do i gotta go

you can get jobs at pepsico, any bread company, etc and still drive the big trucks..when home time is no longer critical and you go otr, you will go back to a trainer and doing the mountains..so much changes state to state and hours of service are different for every industry..ups and fedex also do a step program..look at driving for sls logistics or a grocery warehouse, or milk haulers..you can also go into bulk oil/gas hauling that train you to stay in the neighborhood..propane/gas is great too..the schools get a kickback..if you go to a technical school or a votech or community college-its the same piece of paper and they can certify you..truck schools are like puppy mills..a unauthorized or unacceptable school will cost 6000 bucks and still be not worth paper printed on. chk with companies you would like to work for, and ask their office which schools they accept..for example- the number one school in united states is in drumright ok..u stay in a trailer house with cable, showers etc.they have their own driving range, have great job opportunities etc and are accepted everywhere. another one is self pay through a votech at 50 bucks a month and only cost 1800 bucks..good luck.as for insurance, there is a way around every law..u can train with friends, spouses, neighbors, the boss etc...it only requires about 500 hours of oversight by someone with a cdl. but, learning to read a walmart map of all stores, and figuring out how to relax on downtime and rent planes, trains and automobiles is the best part of training..reading a book on chain installation and having a trainer show you is like nite and day. Ive been out here 10 years and learned all the little tricks, like clothesline for temporary chains when stuck on glaze ice, or bbq on the trk..navigating mountain passes so you dont stall out, and stuff i"s the fun stuff they really like you to learn hands on..""
 
Back
Top