What classifies as OTR?

10days out- 2 days in?

2 weeks out--2 days off?

3 weeks out--3 days off?


where is the line drawn between Regional? and OTR?

doesn't seem to be the miles anymore. Regional drivers frequently report being dispatched out of their regions.

other drivers report -- out & back so does this make them regional or OTR?

 

There really is very little difference between OTR and regional, at least as far as counting towards OTR experience.

As far as when looking at job descriptions go, Regional is typically 3-7 state operation and OTR is 7 or more states. time out has little or nothing to do with it, with the exception of being out for several nights each week and having to run a log book.

As far as the "out and back" thing goes you could live in Bangor, Maine leave home, go to San Diego. CA and right back to Bangor and that would be "out and back". :wink:

 

I make the distinction between OTR and regional based upon the area traveled and the time away from home. To me regional is home weekley whereas OTR is 2 weeks+ out. Regional 3-6 or 7 states. Actually regional driving is a form of OTR driving when you really look at it so in a sense they can be one in the same. Either your a local driver or an OTR driver.

 

this is the way I always looked at it too--same as you-- I always considered the guy home 2days a week--(the weekend-preferred) as Regional-- and anyone staying out the full week(7 days) as OTR-

Because basically-- if you're trucking away 500 miles a day-- you can't go too far AWAY from home-- If you want to be back by Friday Night.
But lately- I'm finding many drivers-- bending the definition and working the system Using the "regional" I will be home every weekend-- and demanding
a cross country run-- then straight back HOME----- I'd call this Heaven!

 

When I drove for Cummin's Tools I delivered to all 48 states and was home just about every weekend. The couple of times I didn't get home on Friday I was home early Saturday morning.

I would agree with Uturn2001 description.

kc0iv

 

And THEN there's the viewpoint of a TEAM Driver! :roll:

You know, the FORGOTTEN sons? The whole world, and MOST of your minds are focused on the SOLO driver..... but, there IS another side of this story!

I go East coast to West coast and BACK every week (in 5 or 6 days) and then get 2 or 3 days off (if I want,) and can do it again the next week!

5000 -6000 miles divided by half the pay (and half the work,) and I STILL don't sit around crying about weeks of 2000 miles or less! I NEVER do laundry on the road! I don't waste my money on video machines, and my food budget is less that when I worked a local job (non trucking.)

OTR means OVER THE ROAD.... period! NOT LOCAL city delivery! Regional counts if out overnight, dedicated counts (but is boring!) and solo AND team counts if going out for more than a couple of days! THAT is OTR! I don't do Canada, or have to deal with NYC. But, Over the Road means OVER THE FRIGGIN ROAD! :lol:

If you can SEE your house, or GET there in one day, you are NOT OTR!

You drive a truck for a living. OTR drivers live to drive a truck! We go "where the loads go!" as our dispatchers are fond of saying, and we deal with the strange and unknown.

An OTR driver outruns a tornado one day, only to be faced with a snowstorm on the next! And unless you work for one of the "biggies," you deal with Truck Stops and Tire Service companies, and not TERMINALS!

There's no shame in getting a CDL and working for a DUMP TRUCK company or a delivery route and being home every night..... but don't confuse this with being an Over the Road Trucker!

OTR drivers know how to get around a scale (if need be) or an accident/road closure. They don't think TWICE about going through two states, that weren't on their route, to deliver a load "on time."

You have to make the choice of what you want, or what is right for you at this time. And then, when "the road" calls...You'll know what OTR means.

 

Wow! How do you find the time to sleep?

:lol: :lol:

 

Wasn't a problem.

We normally made no more than two drop (took about 2.5 hrs per drop) and came back empty. In my case I normally did just one drop. It helped to be a friend with the dispatcher. :lol:

With one run per week.

Once in a great while the boss would ask me to pickup an order if I was in the general area.

If I had been smart I'd stayed with Cummin's.

kc0iv

 

Otr = not home every nite :lol:

 

You nailed that one, golf!

Now why would you need to dodge scales?

"3 weeks on the road and I'm a gonna make it home tonite." No thanks, no how, no sir, no way, uh uh...been there done that. Let's leave the long-haulin' for the diehards. Nobody does it better.