Profile For Joshua S.

it’s all been NO because of no recent tractor trailer experience

Does anyone know why recent OTR experience is so important to many OTR companies? I've wondered this for 30 years and never heard a definitive answer.

My best guess is that they figure you came off the road because you didn't want to be OTR any longer, and you might be returning temporarily to 'fill a hole' in your finances or as a holdover while you look for another local job.

I'm sure the large carriers have statistics showing that someone without recent OTR experience is less likely to stick around and be successful, but I've never had the conversation with any higher-ups.

Anyone know? Any theories?

Seems to me it’s mostly just an insurance issue. Although for the past year and a half I’ve been insured at a motor carried with a DOT number and the whole deal but it’s not OTR or just conventional tractor trailer. Doesn’t help me get back out there tho.

I can recommend Capacity Logistics in Clarksville, IN. They have a OTR job between Clarksville, IN and Birmingham, AL. The terminal manager, Ed, is solid. Very knowledgeable and a good dude. He’s a 20 year Army vet and 20? year trucker.

This might not be what you’re looking for because for one thing it’s flatbed and for another it’s all on the same I-65 corridor. Weekends off, rarely Saturday routes

Sounds like a lead I can check into. I just need to find anything to get me over this little hump.

That’s what I’ve been doing so far. Might have one “maybe” but so far it’s all been NO because of no recent tractor trailer experience

As a seasoned OTR driver of over 15 years I am finding it hard to find a company that’ll hire me. I can off the road a year and a half ago and tried my hand at running a heavy wrecker. Hauling broken wrecked trucks and trailers and such and is an FMCSA regulated DOT job.

I have a valid class a no restrictions and a good medical card.

However, major carriers don’t count this as truck and trailer experience. So I’m looking for a small company or some one who is leasing trucks on to a company that needs and OTR driver.