It Would Be Nice If A CDL Spoke For Itself.
Topic 1627 | Page 3
Actually I'd like to get a T-shirt with "CDL Extrordinare" in big bold type. But then, I'm not experienced enough to have a sense of humor. Back to business as usual (square one with a chip on someone else's shoulder).
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Or make that "extraordinaire"... at least I can spell CDL (hey, that sounds like a slogan)! 
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Oh, I had much more comprehensive training than that, so my perspective is perhaps less typical of the assumptions employers make. Not to say that my CDL has any meaning (that will be my little secret from now on).
The bottom line in trucking is simple - if you have no OTR experience it means you know pretty much nothing regardless of the amount of training you've had. Challenges in a classroom, on a backing range, or driving around town do not even approach 5% of the challenges and difficulties you'll face on the road. There isn't anything you can do in a training scenario short of actual OTR driving that will fully prepare you for OTR driving.
Your CDL does have meaning. It means you know the minimum required basics of maneuvering a rig, the minimum required training on rules & regulations, and the minimum amount of training for determining if a rig is safe for the road or not. It means you've earned the right to take that rig out on the road.
But it doesn't mean that you've ever proven a d*mn thing to anyone about being a safe, reliable, professional OTR driver, and that's where you seem to be off in your thinking. You seem to think that having a CDL means you're as good as anyone out there and every company in America should jump at the chance to hire you. We all have CDL's so we're all equally capable. Sorry friend, but that couldn't be further from the reality of it.
You're either afraid to go out there and prove yourself or you feel you already have. Bottom line - do you have any solo OTR experience? That's where the theory of how to drive a truck intersects with your ability to actually do so, and that's what will be used to gauge your prowess as an OTR driver - years of safe driving under your belt.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
I get the point, but this was an "it would be nice" if the employment options were as standardized as the CDL requirements type of discussion. Not that I am wanting a CDL earner of the year award.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Like everyone said, there are options out there. My thing was that the jobs requiring experience were no different in nature. I will be the one driving either way.
I don't even mind that the discussion is going in circles. That would be my job after all, as the world turns. 
But to clear the air, I thought it would be assumed that I respect all of you experienced drivers, because I am here... so my opinion is not a dismissal of your advice or status. It is simply an analysis of what I have seen in the job market in my area (and is naturally part of my job seeking adventure). Just thought to share it with you for the sake of philosophy and comradery (of all things), not arguments or accusations. I didn't get a manual on the fine points of truck forum etiquette, so please pardon my french.
I guess the link "Help & Advice" said it all then. So be it, I will keep the rest to myself (and leave the etiquette to my CDL manual).
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Voila! Now my CDL speaks for itself.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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Not to say that my CDL has any meaning (that will be my little secret from now on).
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: