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OTR vs. Regional vs. Local

Discussion in 'Trucking Jobs' started by davenjeip, Aug 15, 2010.

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  1. Aug 15, 2010 #1
    davenjeip

    davenjeip Medium Load Member

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    Dec 20, 2009
    Port Charlotte, Fl
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    Ok, we all know that OTR work is the standard that all companies go by, meaning that 1 year OTR means 1 year experience.

    Local work doesn't seem to count for anything, with most companies. Yes, there are exceptions, but I am finding that as an experienced local driver I am worth less than a newbie right out of school. Been making finding work a bit tough.

    May have found a regional dedicated job running about 12-ish states on the east coast.


    Just curious as to how any future companies would look upon this experience, as it's not local but not quite running 48 states. Will it count as OTR when applying to a new job, or will I still be stuck like I am now where my experience doesn't count for anything?
     
    davenjeip, Aug 15, 2010
    davenjeip, Aug 15, 2010
    #1
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  3. Aug 15, 2010 #2
    dancnoone

    dancnoone "Village Idiot"

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    Nope, it won't count with the big boys.

    But then again, it won't matter in another 5 years. Because all the big guys will have to offer, is regional.

    To put this in proper prospective. Why would you even care ??

    I met a 3 year employee of JB the other week. He had left JB after being on a dedicated/regional run for them...for 3 years. Took another job, decided he didn't like it. Then tried to return to JB, who promptly told him, he would need 6 months OTR experience before they could rehire him.

    They make the rules up as they go. So ANY experience you have, can be nullified at the drop of a hat.
     
    dancnoone, Aug 15, 2010
    dancnoone, Aug 15, 2010
    #2
  4. Aug 15, 2010 #3
    outerspacehillbilly

    outerspacehillbilly "Instigator of the Legend"

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    The Who's Your State
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    Yes 12 states will suffice as OTR. I ran 6 -7 states for the last 2 1/2 years and when I recently started applying for a new job everyone I applied with accepted that as current OTR experience.
     
    outerspacehillbilly, Aug 15, 2010
    outerspacehillbilly, Aug 15, 2010
    #3
  5. Aug 15, 2010 #4
    Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
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    Regional and OTR count the same, As far as I am concerned a local driver has more experience with backing and traffic than otr does. You have to hit multi store drops and picks everyday.

    I have never had anyone question either one, but I ve never worked for the Biggies nor will I.
     
    Powder Joints, Aug 15, 2010
    Powder Joints, Aug 15, 2010
    #4
  7. Aug 17, 2010 #5
    074344

    074344 Road Train Member

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    Los Angeles, ca
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    Pretty sad isn't it? Just for fun, I contacted 4 of the "bottom feeder" companies to see if I would qualify to work for them. Although I never would work for them, nor would I ever work for any OTR company, the answer was always the same. I had no OTR experience and therefore, they would not recognize my 20+ years of driving. Amazing!

    Drive safe
     
    074344, Aug 17, 2010
    074344, Aug 17, 2010
    #5
    Gunner710 Thanks this.
  8. Aug 18, 2010 #6
    davenjeip

    davenjeip Medium Load Member

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    Dec 20, 2009
    Port Charlotte, Fl
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    It surprised me when I first started looking for work that required it. Made no sense to me, until I really thought about it.

    My first local job was in Florida. Learned how to handle a truck, but I never once saw a mountain or snow. Also always had a rear window to look out of, but my day cab had a wheelbase that stood toe to toe with a long hood Pete.

    Another job had us running those 3/4 size automatic single rear axle day cabs with most of the trailers being under 40' (mine was the biggest in the fleet at 48'). I saw snow, but never a mountain.

    Job I just got turned down for would have me running 10 speed day cabs pulling 48' trailers, and bumping 10 docks a day in tight city conditions. I'd see snow and mountains quite often.


    Point that I am trying to make is that all these local jobs are very different, and you will gain vastly different experiences from them. With OTR you will, at least in theory, see some of everything that is out there and these companies have a pretty good idea of what you have done. With local experience, these companies aren't sure just what they are getting. That's why I don't get upset about it anymore, since it all looks pretty much the same on an application, despite how much I was/wasn't gaining in experience at each job.

    Yes, I do think it should count for something, and make me more valuable than a student (or at least in the same league). But, I can totally see why companies dismiss it.
     
    davenjeip, Aug 18, 2010
    davenjeip, Aug 18, 2010
    #6
  9. Aug 18, 2010 #7
    Nolon

    Nolon Bobtail Member

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    Aug 18, 2010
    Milwaukee,Wi
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    I wanted to work local after being a an OTR driver for a year and even after having about a year regional I've been told by different companies that an OTR driver comes into the local job. Jobs that are physically demanding and they don't want that. My problem then becomes how do I obtain that experience if they're unwilling to allow me to have it ? Even though I've been a drivers helper for a few months through a temp agency in 2006. I'm capable of the heavy weight lifting and continuous work..Not right away but In a weeks time certainly. And surely I wouldn't just give in.
     
    Nolon, Aug 18, 2010
    Nolon, Aug 18, 2010
    #7
  10. Aug 18, 2010 #8
    Nolon

    Nolon Bobtail Member

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    Aug 18, 2010
    Milwaukee,Wi
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    And what I left out.. Is that they mention OTR's getting a job locally and physically demanding then quitting.
     
    Nolon, Aug 18, 2010
    Nolon, Aug 18, 2010
    #8
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