Regional vs OTR as a new driver?

From my personal experience; I've done both. I prefer OTR just because I don't like being confined to one area. The annual pay worked out to the same. For example, someone living in California may prefer regional for more home time, and not risk being stuck on East Coast for long period of time. Some prefer regional, because they don't like driving in Northeast area & Regional Southeast works out for them. It's just a personal preference for most.

I'll edit this by adding : My pay didn't change much because the regional was pulling a reefer. With a reefer you can haul refrigerated or dry loads. With a dry van, can only haul dry loads. Also, people have to eat, so the reefers must keep moving.

 

Single, no ties at home. ---- OTR

Married or in a committed relationship, with kids at home --- Regional

Dead ### broke, needing a quick uptake in cash --- OTR

Financially secure --- Regional

 

Right out of school, regional get some OTR experience before going longhaul, most longhaul companies wont even look at your application without 2 years driving experience. You will also get alot more practise with tight corners and backing into tight spots. It is easier to back a long trailer with a short truck than a short trailer with a long truck. You can also use this time to get all the toys for your longhaul rig and not be spending your first paychecks on tools and equipment.

 

Nope....regional is NOT considered the same as OTR/Long Haul for hiring purposes.

However, companies will take the number of states you have run in into consideration. Should you elect to go OTR/long haul in the future.

It's best to address this question from your actual prospective/needs. And consider any future events that may force you to change.

 

No, regional confines you normally to a geographic area of the country, such as midwest, southeast and so on. You would under normal circumstance be in a sleeper truck. LTL refers to the type of freight hauled in or on the trailer. It's exactly what it says, less then a full load on the truck, which means picking up and delivering at multiple stops.

There is no one size fits all answer to your question. If you need to be home more often, regional may be better for you. If you are single, want to see lots of different things, OTR may be the right choice for you. We can't answer this for you, just maybe point in a good direction for you.

 

OTR. Unless you got extremely lucky and landed a cherry job, you will most likely be an underpaid trainee for the next year. Better you get knowledge of the entire US and the different driving conditions now, which will give you the flexibility you may need later, and you will become familiar with multi-state differences, like chain laws, size/weight restrictions, scale house locations, the variety of freight and options that you may not see in a local/regional operation...heck you may decide to move to a state that you liked driving through, or that is located in major freight lanes to give you more accessibility. There is a lot to discover and unless you're tied to home, and even if you are, best you learn now while you're not experienced enough to command a better situation.

Good Luck

 

I have exactly that choice. I have decided that I want to go Regional, and probably stay Regional. Why? I like the idea of really getting to know how to do one thing well, instead of overload myself with learning the entire USA at this point. I want to stay inside my comfort zone as a newbie, before eating off more than I think I can handle. I kind of know my limitations. I do not believe I am immune to being homesick, so I am setting myself up to succeed, not to fail. The churn ratio (or drop out) rate for nationwide OTR is something like 90-80 % and some are saying something like 120%. On the other hand, the drop out rate for Regional is only about 20%. This really means something to me. More drivers are happy if they have regional jobs. They stay put once they find those kinds of jobs. So if you are lucky to have that choice right out of school, I'd take it. Why would any one choose the choice that most people decide is so bad they want to walk away? I know there are some hard core guys out there, but I know I am not made of that sort of metal. Even as a trucker, I am a homebody, (don't need to flame me for this) and I want to be home at least every five days. I think I would last longer as a trucker that way. (I really think this is a personality difference, and all people are different).

I'm kind of "meh" about the whole "see the country" thing. That's the glamor shot. This is a job. I'm here to make a living.