Part time OTR?

[USMCRebelGuardnU]

Since it's been a few months since I posted, I thought I'd come back to give an update and look for some more guidance. I came home just in time for the G20 conference and got into a private security job for that which I was expecting to roll into a full time position, but that flopped.

So, I checked with a good college here that has, in my opinion, has an unparalleled veteran's program. The catch is that the degree program that I want, they only have as a minor, but are in the process of expanding into a major. I could cross my fingers and hope that I can transfer to it before I get too deep involved in my alternative major.

I found that I may have a chance to use retraining funds to pay for a local CDL course. The program is 160 hours with road time. So, I'm going to try to see if I can manage to do that along with doing general college courses in the spring semester. I have a friend who has driven for a cement company for 14 years, and they're starting drivers at $10.95/hour, plus benefits, and he averages 50 - 60 hours/week in the winter. So I can use that as a fall back.

I still would like to drive OTR, though. I'm looking for input as to the chances I might have to get with an OTR company temporarily, like over the summer, possibly longer until the college gets my major together. Like I said, I would be getting my CDL through gov't funds, so I wouldn't have to be worried about repaying the training. Any advice?

[GMAN]

There is usually not a contract with any carrier which specifies that you must stay with them for a specific time period unless they are training you and helping you to get your CDL. If you are only planning to stay with a carrier for 3 months then I don't see that it will be worth it to go through the training. You may still be working with a trainer for 3 months. It will not help you much if you decide to go back with another carrier. If you let too much time elapse between driving jobs you may find it difficult to get with another carrier without first going through a refresher course. It seems like a waste of time for 3 months work. I would not want to go through the training unless it is something that I would commit at least a year or two. If you are going to use the training to get a job driving a cement truck then that is another matter. Keep in mind that should you later decide to go over the road any local driving experience is usually not counted as experience with most carriers. There are some companies that use yard jockey's and you might find something doing that while you are going to college. Most local driving jobs are Monday through Friday during daylight hours.

I think it is good that you want to finish your education. There are other jobs you could do that could earn yourself a living without going through all the training. I have known of some who have even delivered pizza's while going to college. Some make up to $12/hour with tips. You didn't mention your major, but there might even be something that you could do which would give you some practical experience in the industry in which you would like to eventually work.

Most college driving school programs are about 11 weeks. It doesn't make much sense to me to train for 11 weeks to only use that training for 12 weeks. If you plan on driving for at least a year or two then it would be worth the time and effort to get your CDL. If you look at this as a career then there are few professions where you can earn as much money as driving a truck with only a few weeks training. There are a number of colleges that offer on line classes. I have seen some drivers who are taking classes this way while they earn a living. You could at least take some of your lower level classes this way. Just a thought.

[Kevin0915]

part time OTR? you might as well be a pizza delivery driver. ;-)

[BigDiesel]

part time OTR? you might as well be a pizza delivery driver. ;-)

Kevin0915 would be better at that..... and the roads would be safer.

[Windwalker]

The company I've been pulling for has a half a dozen drivers that are retired, and driving part-time. Two drivers are assigned to one truck. One takes it out one week, and the other the next week. Seems to me that Roehl had a program something like that too. Talk to the companies and see if it works for them. Kevin has not been in this business long enough to give any insight.

[Roadhog]

Yeah, but Windy, these driver's are seasoned drivers, with a safety record.

Most companies I think would want to see a minimum of 2 years exp, before they allow a driver to slipseat like this.

There are seasonal driving jobs around agricultural areas, during harvest. Many retired guy's in my area will drive for the farms and processing plants. I did this one year, emptying the freezer at a Processing Plant, hauling frozen fruit to a Cold Storage. I was home every night, and raked in more money doing this than OTR.
Also pulling tandem flats, hauling the fruit into the Processor.

[Windwalker]

It wasn't something I had tried before. Just an idea I was throwing up into the air and see where it lands.

[GMAN]

Until you get some solid experience it will be difficult for most companies to hire you. It takes time to hone your driving skills. Insurance rates are partly determined by the level of experience of drivers. A driver is more apt to have an accident or claim during the first 2 or 3 years he begins driving. There are only a small number of carriers who are willing to hire inexperienced drivers. Things change dramatically once a driver obtains 2 or 3 years experience.

[USMCRebelGuardnU]

Sadly, the only experience that I have driving a larger-than-normal vehicle is driving a 7 ton with trailer to resupply my company positions in Iraq. However, that was also rather low key, as in my Sgt let me drive knowing that I wanted to, without the licenses.

However, I registered for classes today with the college, and I will have one class starting at 6 pm, which will be a bit of a sacrifice in regards to the time I have between CDL course and college course. Though I don't think that will be a problem. I don't like to brag, but I received a 1110 SAT when I was in 9th grade, and 99th percentile AFQT on the ASVAB in 10th grade.

I just want to drive, over the road, long haul.

After this semester, I will assess where the college is in comparison to where I want them to be, and will either continue with the Post-9-11 GI Bill, or postpone it for a time.

[DaveP]

part time OTR? you might as well be a pizza delivery driver. ;-)

Or better yet....hire a Dominatrix a couple nights a week to tie you up and beat you with a leather strap.

Almost the same level of satisfaction...

[jonp]

Roehl does do a 7/7 program. I did it for a year or so and it worked out pretty good. Schneider just started a thing at our DC in Henderson called a flex driver program. What it is is you hire on as a part time driver and when they need people to cover loads they start calling. No benefits and part-time only, I talked to a couple of guys who are doing it and are retired. They come in for a load, work 6-8 hrs and make $120 bucks or so. They like it. You might look into several large companys and see if they are doing this type of thing.

[Roadhog]

info off the Roehl site;

Roehl 7-on/7-off Fleet
The ultimate home time, exclusively from Roehl. Drive 7, be home 7. 7-on / 7-off Drivers are paid at the National Fleet rate (in 2004 7/7 drivers averaged 85,000 miles - $34,000). Please check with a Roehl recruiter to see if we're currently hiring 7/7 drivers in your area. Space in the 7-on / 7-off fleet program may be limited in some areas of the country. *Must have minimum of 50,000 miles experience

[USMCRebelGuardnU]

Thanks for the assistance and comments from everybody. I will see about looking into Schneider and Roehl more. I'm in Pittsburgh, so I'm also going to have to track down what companies keep centers closer to my area. I should have used the term "temporary OTR" instead of "part time," but I didn't think about it til after it posted.

Well, the class I had to go to for state funding was canceled due to holidays this week, so I will be going to the one next week and going from there. I know it's different in a car, but I put 30k miles on my car and I haven't even had it a year yet. And there's just something about driving highway, I figure that I might have a chance to get it out of my blood if I drove for a bit while waiting for my college to finish their stuff.

[jonp]

I know that Roehl does or did have a big thing about hiring Vets. It would give you a leg up as I think they put Vets to the head of the hiring pool. If you call make sure you tell them you are a Vet. They even put a special sticker on your truck. yea to that I guess but at least they do acknowledge our Vets.

The info posted about the 7/7 is about right in my experience. $30-$35k a year for a part-time job is not too shabby in my book. Be aware that you slip-seat with one other driver so if you get stuck out because of loads, weather etc and stay out 8-9 days your partner works that many days less and vice-versa. This was a problem in my area (New England) but may not be one in another. Still, it didn't happen all of the time.

Roehl also was doing a 7/3-7/4 where 3 guys slip seated a 2 trucks. 7 on 3 off then 7 on 4 off. More money. don't know if they are still doing it.

[USMCRebelGuardnU]

Roehl did have an awesome setup for veterans with the Honor Program, but they cancelled that just before I needed it. Oh, well... Stuff happens.
But I'm banging my head against the wall right now. I've looked at Schneider's site countless times and just now realized that they have a yard here in Pittsburgh. So, if things go right, Schneider will be my first choice and Roehl my second. Thanks again for all the assistance.

[Sealord]

You may want to check out pumpkindriver.com. Last I knew, I don't think Schneider has been taking unexperienced school grads for some time. BOL

[usair]

the Schneider yard is in Coraopolis, which is just 10 miles north from Pittsburgh, it's a tanker yard

[USMCRebelGuardnU]

I just drove by the school the other day, and noticed that they had a Schneider trailer parked next to their other trailers, so I think that's a pretty good sign that Schneider hires through them. On the other hand, it could just be that they bought a Schneider trailer and they didn't get a chance to repaint it yet...

[jonp]

Last I heard was that Schneider was not hiring inexperienced drivers for the time being. I took a new guy out last week to show him the ropes and he said that the most inexperienced driver in his orientation had about 5 yrs on the road.

[b00m]

Hey USMCRebelGuardnU,

My advice is to get in school and finish that with your GI BILL.As a matter of fact that's what i do too right now,i'm taking a break from trucking(i have my own truck operation) and i'm using my GI bill for some online college classes and i'm being enrolled in a leadership school that i have to do in order to get promoted to E5 with the air force national guard.

For me, it's a struggle these months on running at decent rates and there is no reason to stay on the road.My plan is to stay in school until may of this year and get back when freight rates are somewhat acceptable for making a profit.

Your situation is more different,but if you have the option go to college and then when the driver job market is better go ahead and jump in.You really don't want to work for peanuts right now.