Profile For BK

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?

My guess is similar to what Brett thinks. OTR is a tough lifestyle and I think a company wants the driver to know what he is getting into. If all the experience he has is local, home every night driving, he might just throw in the towel after a month or two of OTR.

This is just my guess. Next time I have the opportunity, I am going to ask someone in management at my company this question and see what they say.

Hello NavyPopPop, So, livin’ the dream! I hope your new plan works out great for you and the family.

I get down that way once in a while, maybe we can meet up. I think it would be fun. I’ve made a note of your location. Best regards, Bruce

Saw this unique vehicle yesterday. Cadillac chassis and power train custom built to be a replica of the first American vehicle to race LeMans In Europe. Very friendly Brit named Derrick Drinkwater had this shipped over and he and his wife were on a cross country USA tour.

For folks in auto’s having the lurching problem in reverse. Manually put it in high range reverse, volvo called it reverse 2. Solves the issue.

PJ, that’s a great tip. I have this issue in my 2022 Fright-liner. I have a delivery today with a tight dock, so I should be able to use your tip right away. Thanks.

Since we focus on helping new drivers get started, one fact about company size is that in most cases a new driver has no choice but the bigger companies. Why? Because smaller companies have no training program and thus they require a certain amount of experience. Smaller companies typically will only hire a driver with 6 to 24 months of experience.

Conversely, the mega companies usually have a training program that lets new drivers get their foot in the door. Some of them will bring someone on with just a CDLP.

My point is that for new drivers the bigger vs smaller company question is moot.

My vote would go towards staying put. Everything I know and see about Melton is positive.

I’m a “tweener”. I started with a mega company and struggled with a lot of things.

Now I drive for a company that has about 300 drivers and it has been a good fit, I really like it. Small enough to act like human beings are in charge, but big enough to provide a huge safety net for drivers. Their support network is outstanding and I can walk into the owners office just about any time and tell him what a great driver I am. lol.

Richard, I agree with the other comments advising caution with the tanker driving.

You have 3 months in. Just not enough experience for the very exacting job of pulling a tanker. I’m approaching 3 years experience 0TR and I would still hesitate to do it.

If you do decide to pursue it, do it with a company like was mentioned, Prime and Schneider. I can’t really speak to Prime, but I do know Schneider provides very thorough training if they will accept you. You will likely regret going with any company that doesn’t provide top notch training.

Maybe re-visit the idea when you have at least 1 year of safe driving in?

Are you all insane?

You've got to love it when a new member joins our site with these four words being their opening statement.

Steve, your whole attitude and thought process goes against professional driving. Please stay in engineering, (unless you practice foolish and unsafe methods in that profession. If you do, please get out of that, also.)

You say you never wear a seatbelt and never will. Yet later on you state that you can live with the seatbelt rule and have in the past. You contradict yourself.

You can endanger your own life, but everything you say is exactly what any driver should NOT do. You are like a cancer to new drivers, who we try to help on this site.

When I drove for Schneider I never had to pay for a hotel room. The trucks I had broke down so much, the company paid for a room PLUS I got a whopping $54 per day breakdown pay!

Now, my truck is super reliable so I lost that previous perk. And I’m too cheap to pay for a room. I’ve been accused of being so tight that when I fart, only dogs can hear it.

When I take my rare hometime, there is a nice motel about 4 miles from where I park. It has a water park that I can use all day with a huge hot tub and swimming pool. A day pass costs only $10. Showers and towels provided. But I prefer to sleep in my bunk. I’ve gotten so used to it, that I sleep better there than anywhere else.

$80 is $80, lol

Hello Adam,

If I were in your position, I would want to continue driving. I’d be looking at a job driving dump truck, sanitation truck, farm truck, etc.

Be ready to take a pay cut, but at least you can keep your head in the game until those tickets drop off the record. Good luck finding something.