Just got my CDL, working beverage delivery with Pepsi, do companies discriminate between home daily and OTR experience when hiring drivers?
Posted by Pointlesspuppy@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 19 comments
Realistically, if I work here for a few years and then try to move on, am I going to find that a lot of places won't hire me because my experience wasn't OTR? How likely is that to impact me if I am trying to apply for cushier jobs or jobs that pay more, like LTL, Walmart OTR, etc.
doobersthetitan@reddit
I'd stick with Pepsi. Try to get a good 2 years there.
Then you can go somewhere, maybe haul Fuel, compressed gas, oil etc. You'll get more money, at most be out 300ish miles and make good money. Might even get like me and work 4x10...home every night, boss lives 2 states away, I do my route, done. OT us there if I want it...all I can eat in summer.
Being able to drive IN city, not hit shit, drive and park in tight park lots and able to lift 50 plus pounds...can get you in alot of really good local ish type jobs, with good benefits.
Top_Rhubarb_7988@reddit
You haul fuel?
doobersthetitan@reddit
Micro bulk gas
CakewalkNOLA@reddit
I used to help with the hiring process at a major LTL carrier. Food and beverage drivers usually got first pick because we knew they were used to hard work.
ChiHooper@reddit
Out of curiosity, does this apply to dollar general drivers as well?
CakewalkNOLA@reddit
Honestly, I couldn't say. It normally didn't come up. We looked for key companies in their employment history. Suck Sysco, AB, USF and a few others were almost guaranteed an interview.
TheRealOutis@reddit
suck sysco hah
CakewalkNOLA@reddit
Hah! Didn't even realize it did that. But it ain't wrong.
TheRealOutis@reddit
I've seen some companies with insurance requirements like "1 year OTR experience required" then others just say "1 year truck driving experience" so it just depends on the carrier. LTL isn't that hard to get into after a year of pepsi
ConsistentRegion6184@reddit
What differentiates you from otr experience is that bit of a learning curve to run your 70 well, finding parking and all that.
So it's company discretion. Which means the megas would probably love you (where I am now, regional with experienced pay) but the tight laced small company maybe not if they want otr experience exclusively.
tonythebutcher13@reddit
I went from Coca-Cola straight to LTL, Coca-Cola was my first driving job.
jmzstl@reddit
You'll find that some OTR companies absolutely won't touch your application because they know what they offer is so drastically worse in terms of pay and quality of life. The better companies like Walmart probably won't care as much. You should keep a spreadsheet to track your daily miles (just get in the habit of writing your starting and ending odometer) so that you have something to show if you apply somewhere that wants a specific number of miles driven.
Any local job, including LTLs, will appreciate your Pepsi experience because it means you can work hard and know how to back up. Also if you stick with it for a few years, a steady job history definitely puts your application to the top.
Antique_Bluebird_98@reddit
Does it make a difference if you have years of hazmat fuel hauling experience in terms of hiring
jmzstl@reddit
I don't see why it wouldn't? Unless you're talking about moving from that to a generic OTR dry van/reefer company, in which case the reasoning above still applies.
3rdSafest@reddit
Never done OTR, but as an employer, I’m going to look for relevant work experience. Personally, I wouldn’t hire an OTR driver to drive my dump trucks. The jobs are similar, same license needed, but the tasks are wildly different. As a beverage hauler for a large corporation, I’d suggest you’re in good shape. Used to 5th wheel trailers, backing into tight loading docks, managing paperwork and such.
DangerousRoutine1678@reddit
I wouldn't use the term "discriminate" but some companies prefer some types of experience over others and even that only matters when your in a pool of other candidates. The CDL market moves with economic cycles. One minute they have strick hiring standards, the next there is a driver shortage and they'll hire anybody who can fog a mirror. They pay also tends to run with the cycles. I definitely would not say LTL pays more. Look into how much restaurant delivery drivers make plus benefits they make and even hazmat jobs. OTR and LTL are not the best option for everyone or are they the highest paying. there are all kinds of CDL jobs out there that pay the same if not more. You just getting your CDL, experience is experience no matter what the technicals are.
Kkalemauser@reddit
Only if you try to go to an OTR company. Some local companies do care, most don’t.
Larrythethird22@reddit
Shouldn’t impact you, actually might benefit you due to the fact you will have more experience with backing and maneuvering tighter spaces opposed to otr experience. But companies that want a year experience aren’t looking for a year “otr” they just want a year of tractor trailer experience.
NewkidOTB278@reddit
If you’re young enough and money driven, food service companies are going to pay well if you’re willing to stick with it…. I did food service for 10 years straight and it was great money and benefits but the physical aspect of it takes a toll on your body… Just my 2 cents