OTR Decision
Topic 4988 | Page 1
Hey guys, I am very new in this field I am a latin american young guy with not a wide and excellent english, but I try my best.. I've been reading in truckingtruth.com since I start my CDL training school 2 weeks ago, I already have my permit and 2 days of driving training.
The big deal is that my mind keeps thinking about what am I going to choose if OTR , regional or local.. well I just got merried and its such a decision wanting to leave home for long time. like not good right?.. but hey!. i think about our future too and when talking about business and money I like to go for everything and I see that OTR its the carrier A must to grow as a professional truck driver. So I'm not sure about what would be the best decision. Hope you guys that have been long time doing what you love help me deciding.
Luis,
If you just got married do yourself and your wife a favor. Check into local positions in your area first...if their not available look at Regional. This way you'd at least be home once a week. You can still build a good career and build a happier marriage at the same time. Give it some thought.
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.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Luis, welcome to the forum!
You are wise to be so careful in your choices - Over the road trucking can be difficult on families, especially new ones. If you go over the road, make sure that your wife understands that it is to support her and provide for your future together. Perhaps she could ride with you sometimes. I take my daughters with me occasionally - we always have a great time together when we do this. If your wife is not working you could always have her along with you, or she could just ride with you at different times when she chooses. You don't have to stay gone for months at a time - some over the road jobs can even get you home every weekend, but those are tough to find. Discuss all of this with your wife and try to approach this whole decision together because you will both have to live with the consequences of your decision. If she is supportive and understands the reasons for the times of separation, it will be much better for both of you.
Over The Road:
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
If you live at least 150 miles from Mechanicsburg, PA, you should check out Averitt Express.
They don't have a CDL School, but they hire inexperienced drivers. They have a Regional Student Training Program in your area.
Please, email the recruiter at recruiting@averittexpress.com if you need to know which schools in PA they approve. I send them a request and they reply and gave me a list of approved schools in Texas.
Click the map on their Averitt Careers website
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.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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Hey guys, I am very new in this field I am a latin american young guy with not a wide and excellent english, but I try my best.. I've been reading in truckingtruth.com since I start my CDL training school 2 weeks ago, I already have my permit and 2 days of driving training.
The big deal is that my mind keeps thinking about what am I going to choose if OTR , regional or local.. well I just got merried and its such a decision wanting to leave home for long time. like not good right?.. but hey!. i think about our future too and when talking about business and money I like to go for everything and I see that OTR its the carrier A must to grow as a professional truck driver. So I'm not sure about what would be the best decision. Hope you guys that have been long time doing what you love help me deciding.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.