Definition of "OTR"

Thread Tools
  #11  
Old 03-10-2009, 05:51 AM
Snowman7's Avatar
Water Board Administrator
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: the Buckeye
Posts: 1,732
Default

Originally Posted by NoBama
Checked into filling out app. for future openings. No Toledo location.? Closest terminal to me would be Mansfield? This is for the Freight Div. not Package Div. Gonna make a phone call to the Toledo terminal. Thanks Snowman7, God-bless.:thumbsup:
Just checked and you're right, they aren't taking apps. The terminal is on Nebraska, I've been there several times.
 
  #12  
Old 03-11-2009, 03:06 AM
dle's Avatar
dle
dle is offline
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 981
Default

The best way to find out is to call the recruiters and ask what their company considers to be OTR.

Most of the recruiting sites will just say OTR experience, you will have to actually talk to the recruiting department to get the real info on the details.
 
  #13  
Old 03-11-2009, 03:48 AM
Jackrabbit379's Avatar
Board Icon
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wichita Falls,Tx
Posts: 7,197
Default

NoBama, I'm in the same boat, as far as OTR experience goes. I've been driving for SYSCO for the last 6 years.

If something happened to my job, I probably would have to do some kind of "refresh" course, or whatever they call it, if I wanted to look into the major carriers. I got my Class A the summer I turned 21, the first year I went on wheat harvest. I was hauling wheat from the fields to the elevator when I was in high school. (I have done farm work for an outfit, since I was in high school) The first truck that ever drove, or learned how to was a Chevrolet C-60. I thought I was in tall cotton :lol:

If you drive for a local company, where you are home every night, I don't think companies consider that to be OTR experience. Kinda silly, but that's how they are. Even though, some of us had driving experience, before we got our CDL. I don't think it makes any difference how long you been driving a truck, trucking companies want to know what you have done in the last 3 years. If you have been driving, OTR in the last 3 years, I think you would have good chances. (I could be wrong)
 
__________________


http://watsonsysco.com/
  #14  
Old 03-12-2009, 02:57 AM
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 32
Default

Thanks again for your insight. :thumbsup:
 
  #15  
Old 03-12-2009, 04:23 AM
matcat's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Manchester, NJ
Posts: 1,467
Default

Definition of OTR is different with every company. Some mean all 48, some say you must drive atleast 5 or 6 + states, yet others say if you have to use a log book.

Personally I find it ******ed. Why would you turn down someone with a perfect record that has been driving a semi locally for 6 years, yet go with someone who only has 6mos experience.

Sure you can say 'Well they don't have experience in all weather and terrain', if you drove locally or regionally in the Northeast, every terrain is up there, with 4 full seasons, not to mention you get to do it all with lots of traffic .
 
__________________
My Trucking Blog: http://matcattruckin.blogspot.com/
Website I am making for drivers: http://www.4thedriver.com

As I sit looking all around,
Confusion and uncertainty is all I found.
The answers are there,
But I do not know where.
Optimistic and hopeful dreams,
Are all I have so it seems.
The future I do not know,
So all I can do is take it slow.
But I do know it will work out,
So I wait and watch without a doubt
.
  #16  
Old 03-12-2009, 04:24 AM
matcat's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Manchester, NJ
Posts: 1,467
Default

haha the word retar-d is censored, that os odd. What If I was to say engine ******ers?
 
__________________
My Trucking Blog: http://matcattruckin.blogspot.com/
Website I am making for drivers: http://www.4thedriver.com

As I sit looking all around,
Confusion and uncertainty is all I found.
The answers are there,
But I do not know where.
Optimistic and hopeful dreams,
Are all I have so it seems.
The future I do not know,
So all I can do is take it slow.
But I do know it will work out,
So I wait and watch without a doubt
.
  #17  
Old 03-12-2009, 04:57 AM
Jackrabbit379's Avatar
Board Icon
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wichita Falls,Tx
Posts: 7,197
Default

Originally Posted by matcat
Sure you can say 'Well they don't have experience in all weather and terrain', .
Anytime I see that in an ad, I just laugh.
I'm from Texas, I've driven in all types of weather, and different terrain. We can have all 4 seasons of the year in a week's time, and from one side, and up down the other, we have all kinds of terrain. :rofl:
 
__________________


http://watsonsysco.com/
  #18  
Old 03-12-2009, 05:02 AM
matcat's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Manchester, NJ
Posts: 1,467
Default

Originally Posted by Jackrabbit379
Anytime I see that in an ad, I just laugh.
I'm from Texas, I've driven in all types of weather, and different terrain. We can have all 4 seasons of the year in a week's time, and from one side, and up down the other, we have all kinds of terrain. :rofl:

Hehe yeah Texas does have a melting pot of terrain, and though
i know it does happen from time to time, I have yet to see snow though in texas.
 
__________________
My Trucking Blog: http://matcattruckin.blogspot.com/
Website I am making for drivers: http://www.4thedriver.com

As I sit looking all around,
Confusion and uncertainty is all I found.
The answers are there,
But I do not know where.
Optimistic and hopeful dreams,
Are all I have so it seems.
The future I do not know,
So all I can do is take it slow.
But I do know it will work out,
So I wait and watch without a doubt
.
  #19  
Old 03-12-2009, 05:25 AM
Jackrabbit379's Avatar
Board Icon
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Wichita Falls,Tx
Posts: 7,197
Default

For the most part, Texas does have mild winters.
You get out west, and towards the panhandle, it can get ugly in winter. I've seen some rough weather north of Armadillo.
I've seen on the weather before that Armadillo has had all kinds of snow, and it could be in the 60s here, on the very same day.
 
__________________


http://watsonsysco.com/
  #20  
Old 03-16-2009, 06:25 PM
Cluggy619's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Granbury, TX
Posts: 1,270
Default

OTR does have a different meaning for different folks. Most of the time, it's use by recruiters to start you out at a lower pay, stating that you have no experience. That will change when the economy changes again, and the demand for trucks drivers comes back again.

For me, OTR has a totally different meaning.

It means you start out away from your home, 3-6 weeks at a time.

You are on your own while you are there, unless you team up with someone.

Your home is a small box that you travel with, smaller than most bathrooms.

You have be careful with how you budget you cash flow...being broke is always trouble while your out.

And you better love yourself. You will be with you for a long time....

OTR is a way of life. Not some position with some company. It can be as easy or as hard as you make it.

And it's NOT meant for everyone.

Anyone can learn to drive a truck. Only a few of those will stay in it to become truck drivers.

Good luck.
 
__________________
Anyone can learn to drive a truck. Few become truck drivers.

Deja moo. It's when you feel you have heard this BS before.
'





Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -12. The time now is 09:03 PM.

Top