Just because youve been told you need to go OTR for a year..

[Superman_Mike]

doesnt make it the truth.

If you have gone to a driving school, a good one-not a CDL mill, and have a clean driving record, and the ability to obtain a hazmat endorsment--You are in a great place to do something local, or regional. Dont think you are stuck having to do the OTR thing, if thats what you want great but you dont have to.

I have never been OTR/Regional, personally. I started driving local 5 or 6 years ago-crap longer ago than that, and although I have changed jobs numerous times, I have always been local.

If you have a wife and a pile of kids like I do, its a great way to see them grow up.

If someone wants me to expound on this I will, I can help you through the process I went through.

I have been with the company I am with for going on 3 years now, and I am here to stay. I found my match.

I am not diggin on OTR driving, just trying to let you know there is another way.

[Uturn2001]

In some areas it is certainly possible to get a local job as a newbie, in other areas however it is next to impossible to get on anywhere doing local work without that year or 2 of experience.

[Capt._Chaos]

Local jobs where I live (San Antonio, Texas) don't pay too great, especially since there's such a strong presence of people who are willing to work for almost nothing just to be home every night. I looked for local work last summer after I sold my truck, and I refused to sell myself short.

I know that's not the case everywhere, but it is where I live. Some of us in different situations like OTR- I've been doing it for most of the 10 1/2 years I have been driving full-time.

[SpotsCat]

Another thing to consider about local jobs is that you very well may spend as much time with a pallet jack or a two-wheel hand truck in your hands as you do holding a steering wheel.

There's nothing wrong with a job as a delivery driver - Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, Sysco are all good delivery jobs. I did that when I was younger, and it'll definitely keep you in shape.

[Capt._Chaos]

If a driver in their early 20s wants to have a great job that will have them home regularly, and they don't mind working hard unloading trucks at each stop (restaurant deliveries), then I'd like to recommend checking out The Sygma Network.

www.sygmanetwork.com

I worked there for a short time, and while I'm in good physical shape I saw my one & only complaint- the dangers generally involved in doing food service delivery work- make me decide to get out of it & go back on the road.

[truck1153]

I worked there for a short time, and while I'm in good physical shape I saw my one & only complaint- the dangers generally involved in doing food service delivery work- make me decide to get out of it & go back on the road.

What's dangerous about taking a fully loaded two wheeler down a wet or snowy (not in your country) ramp into a store with a wet tile floor?

C'mon Capt. tell 'em, you couldn't handle the "customer service " aspect and the fact your truck was never loaded the same way and stop one would end up in the nose some how. :harhar:

Been there done that dude, was on the Papa Johns account for Ryder way back when, ain't no fun on them there ramps, NONE.

[Capt._Chaos]

I worked there for a short time, and while I'm in good physical shape I saw my one & only complaint- the dangers generally involved in doing food service delivery work- make me decide to get out of it & go back on the road.

What's dangerous about taking a fully loaded two wheeler down a wet or snowy (not in your country) ramp into a store with a wet tile floor?

C'mon Capt. tell 'em, you couldn't handle the "customer service " aspect and the fact your truck was never loaded the same way and stop one would end up in the nose some how. :harhar:

Been there done that dude, was on the Papa Johns account for Ryder way back when, ain't no fun on them there ramps, NONE.

:yikes: Ramping can be dangerous! As far as "customer service" the company liked the fact I'm bilingual, as quite a few places we delivered at had only Spanish-speaking people working there. :wtf: I don't mind interacting with people either. :harhar:

[SpotsCat]

Been there done that dude, was on the Papa Johns account for Ryder way back when, ain't no fun on them there ramps, NONE.
Tell me 'bout it! The first two stops always sucked because you didn't have the room in the truck to move the trays around. Once you got about half the truck unloaded, you could start to get stuff offloaded quickly, but them first couple of stops bit the big one.

I ran PJ's out of the commisary here in Jackson. We ran Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, Birmingham, Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock and all points in-between.

[Voyager]

Another thing to consider about local jobs is that you very well may spend as much time with a pallet jack or a two-wheel hand truck in your hands as you do holding a steering wheel.

There's nothing wrong with a job as a delivery driver - Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, Sysco are all good delivery jobs. I did that when I was younger, and it'll definitely keep you in shape.

One other thing to consider with running local is that you will most likely work 12-14 hrs per day. Just because you are home every night doesn't mean it's going to be a 9-5 job. You can/will/might be bumping your 70 on a regular basis.

[Uturn2001]

No matter which route a person decides to attempt, be certain you know what it is you are getting into. Some local jobs are so time demanding that your only advantage may be sleeping in your own bed every day. Your actual time with loved ones may end up as limited, if not more so, than an OTR driver.





Keep in mind that no one here is saying that it is better to go local or OTR. Everyone is simply pointing out some of the possible obstacles, advantages and disadvantages to one or the other.

In the end it is up to the individual to decide what is best for them.

[Bikerboy]

I just changed local jobs. We work alot of hours, usually 12-15 hours a day. Only have time to have a shower and go to bed when u get home, and then do it all again.

I used to have another local job, it was less hours, only about 8-9 hours per day. But i needed a change.
My job now is kinda easy, no unloading. I haul gravel. Just flip a switch to unload. But we do a alot of start and stopping and a tonne of shifting.

[Capt._Chaos]

I ran local for several months prior to selling my truck last year, and the days were very long. I usually left my house at 5:30 A.M. to go get my truck, was in my truck & leaving where I kept it parked at 6:00 A.M., then I would often do two trips to either Laredo & Corpus Christi & back (or one of each), and I would be back in town dropping off the second container at the rail yard around 7:00 P.M. By the time I parked my truck & went home, it was already after 8:00 P.M. I'd often work like that for several weeks straight, and it got even worse when there was clerical work and/or truck maintenance & repairs to do.

When I did food service deliveries for awhile, my co-driver & I would meet up at the yard at Midnight on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday nights to go on our route. We'd pull our loaded trailer out of the yard at 12:30, then one of us slept while the other drove to the first stop in Bryan, Texas about 120 miles away. We'd hustle through 9 stops, usually unloading 3,500+ cases out of the three compartments of the 48' reefer we were dragging around- NO BREAKS. When we were done, whichever one of us who slept on the way out would drive back to the yard while the other slept. We usually got back to the yard about 3:00 P.M. if everything went as planned. A tough 15 hours work, no doubt. I usually went home, grabbed a shower, drank a cold beer, & went to bed before 5:00 P.M. due to being so tired.

I went back to doing OTR work in August '05, and while I don't go home as often now, the time I do spend there is usually 5-7 days- enough time to go enjoy a camping trip, or whatever else my family & I feel like doing together.

It's one thing to be home every night, but what good is it if it isn't QUALITY time that's being spent with the family? Local work is usually VERY demanding, especially if you expect to make a decent living at it.

[The_Governor]

For the most part I am up at 0330 and out the door at 0430.It takes me right at an hour to get to the yard.Most days are 10 to 12 hours long and then I have another hour drive home.

I usually have enough time to eat,shower and check in here and then its off to bed.

I have the weekends off and I am lucky that I bring the truck home with me more than not so I an able to save on fuel.

I still prefer this to OTR because I have a set schedule more or less and my income is more predictable because I am paid by the hour.

[beanie baby]

I ran local for several months prior to selling my truck last year, and the days were very long. I usually left my house at 5:30 A.M. to go get my truck, was in my truck & leaving where I kept it parked at 6:00 A.M., then I would often do two trips to either Laredo & Corpus Christi & back (or one of each), and I would be back in town dropping off the second container at the rail yard around 7:00 P.M. By the time I parked my truck & went home, it was already after 8:00 P.M. I'd often work like that for several weeks straight, and it got even worse when there was clerical work and/or truck maintenance & repairs to do.
It sure was. I remember going with him a couple of times, I was tired and I wasn't even driving. :wtf: I did all the sleeping for him, but he sure was tired doing that kind of work.


I went back to doing OTR work in August '05, and while I don't go home as often now, the time I do spend there is usually 5-7 days- enough time to go enjoy a camping trip, or whatever else my family & I feel like doing together.
I don't mind him doing OTR right now, my chances are better of getting to see him more often. :D :lover:

[Voyager]

One other thing to consider with running local is that you will most likely work 12-14 hrs per day. Just because you are home every night doesn't mean it's going to be a 9-5 job. You can/will/might be bumping your 70 on a regular basis.

Rant on...

Just to add to this post, when you bump your 70 every week, you really have no life other than your day(s) off. Sometimes I wonder if it's really worth it to be local.

I can see myself getting into it with my fleet manager pretty soon since we started running some loads on Saturdays. It is my belief that since I give the company anywhere from 57-65 hours every Monday through Friday, that my weekends (Saturday AND Sunday) are MINE. If I work on Saturdays, I WILL sit right on 70 hours every week. Running in a Philly-NYC-Harrisburg triangle, can you say "burnout"?

I have no life during the week, I'm going to damn sure have one on the weekends. During the work week, I come home grab a shower, have supper, and MAYBE one hour of free time before it's time for bed.

It's soon going to be time to search out another position, possibly outside the trucking industry.

Ok, rant off... ;)

[Bikerboy]

Some of our local guys, leave the yeard at 5 am, and don't get back until 8 30 pm. Just enough time to get home, have a shower, eat and maybe an hour of tv, then go to bed.
At least we get weekends off!

[Superman_Mike]

sure, i bump my 70. figure ouy the number of hours you spend in the truck in the typical week, then get back to me.

figure 72 hours is 3 days, i take 5 to get there. who works harder than who?

[Lowdown]

i was driving OTR- i have a year of experience with a few different companies.
i took a 'regional' job out of st.louis-- delivering refridgerated goods 4 days a week.
but i am going back to my OTR company this week!(lol)
what a piece of crap truck i was in! maaan what a dirty filthy piece of crap!-- you leave sunday night at midnight and they want you to run until monday night most of the time.then every day like that- about 20 hours a day unloading frieght yourself at some places.
no thanks-- you can have that garbage-- i'll go back OTR and chill there at least i know i won't die in the truck from it falling apart on the road-lol
i will only go local or regional again for a good company with good equipment like sysco or CCX or UPS or something like that.

[sweet_whiskey]

i was driving OTR- i have a year of experience with a few different companies.
i took a 'regional' job out of st.louis-- delivering refridgerated goods 4 days a week.
but i am going back to my OTR company this week!(lol)
what a piece of crap truck i was in! maaan what a dirty filthy piece of crap!-- you leave sunday night at midnight and they want you to run until monday night most of the time.then every day like that- about 20 hours a day unloading frieght yourself at some places.
no thanks-- you can have that garbage-- i'll go back OTR and chill there at least i know i won't die in the truck from it falling apart on the road-lol
i will only go local or regional again for a good company with good equipment like sysco or CCX or UPS or something like that.

Who are you going OTR with?

Better check their credentials before you make the move.

[Nos]

I guess, I'll just count myself as one of the "lucky" ones.
Going for my CDL,(2weeks into local school). I figure at an easy pace of 8 hrs. a day, I'll be good to go for the Ill. Road tests in another week or two. Instructor had told me at the end of the first week I'd better start "beating the bushes" for a decent company.(While he feels I'm ready for the tests, I myself am in no great hurry, I want things to be more or less second nature, not just to be able to recite something on demand.) So at his request I checked into a few..
1. Roehl looks decent ,fair amount of "trainer time"
2. TMC No thanks, at 135lbs. I could just see the tarp becoming a sail.
3. Transport America Dunno bout these folks 'lil more research needed.

I happened to run into an old high school buddy (class of '85), who's a driver at a local company..
They took a look at my permit, med. card, MVR & employment history.
Was told, and qoute "while we have not nor will not hire a "driver" without a CDL, We here at " " really would rather that you discontinue your work search", concentrate on your testing, and make sure that you get your haz. endorsement. We will look forward to seeing your COMPLETED application(won't accept app. without cdl), After jan. 1.

Now, I for one am not banking on anything 'till the first paycheck is in my account, but this is looking very promising to me lol
Buddy Scott said his average Gross was around $700.
Job is:
nite line haul, told by my buddy who just came off this very route, it's gravy 100% drop & hook, on at 11 pm 1 load out to one of 3 terminals, & 1 load back. If back before 8hrs, you load P&D with a fork truck<no pallet jack>may work up to 10-12 hr shift,$15 non-drive pay, .30 wheel pay.
Would be nice, used to 14hr days : and weekends of ta boot?

Pipedream?

[The_Governor]

Pipedream?................Nope...............sound s like a fairly decent first job in trucking.

I'm considered a local driver(daycab) but I log an average of 2500 miles a week or more.

I too knock on that 70 hour clock but I get paid by the hour and I gross close to $1300.00 a week.

I usually dont have to touch anything but straps and a winch bar.

M-F it all about work and sleep.............not much time for anything else but I am home most every night and I'm off weekends.

[Superman_Mike]

just thought i would bring this to the top again.......

[snoope]

And to think I wanted to be OTR..then kids came.......Going on my 25th year ( yes I am OLD ;) :harhar: ) driving .....

I have done the regional.........Maine to Florida when I 1st started BUT once I noticed the $$$$ difference for tanker and Dump Bucket.......I 've never looked back......

Yes ,I would like MOM to enjoy the country with me BUT that will wait a few more years( she went to college,I hopped the lower 48 via Greyhound for a FEW months ;) :cool: :cool: )

Dirt work has never been easy BUT my Revenue has never failed me either....My 45-55 hour weeks including slow winters are enough to survive...

Now you folks doing the OTR and expanded regional have your niche also,for without you AMERICA stands still.......and that "Lady" called the road does "Call" out but the "Sand in my shoes" keeps me House bound..

I guess it really comes down to "Comfort zones".a few O/o's we use during busy times go "Stir crazy" waiting till 6:30 am to load or being done by 5:30-6 pm everyday BUT their hourly rate shows up on Friday and all is well for one more week ;) :D :D

Snoope back quiet

[EagleAce]

Me, I'm hoping to get a driving job with the company I already work for. I'm single, have no kids, no obligations and I also live where I work. I may have to start off driving shuttlebuses full of tourists in the meantime, but ya gotta start somewhere!

[Superman_Mike]

whatever it takes, if its what you want to do.