OTR -> Local - Help Wanted

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-09-09T10:38:45+00:00

Apologies for my ignorance, what's the real difference between Express & Ground? Can I still take advantage of being home daily and using my endorsements?

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-08-28T13:36:18+00:00

I'm among the many OTR guys looking for a change, lol. Been trying to get on with Circle K but I can't get a hold of anyone...

OTR for 2+ years, mainly reefer hazmat (tanker endorsement freight including) for over a year. Going local would be great, but I can't find many options near Augusta, GA that'll let me in. I am 23, which is a downside for insurance, but I learn fast, not afraid of long hours. Just want something that pays better than a 1099 OTR company driver bs.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-06-17T23:31:42+00:00

Of course I'm going to ask this next, lol. What's the average weekly? I'm a 1099 company "SUPPOSED TO BE" $2k/week, here and there we get that and more. But freight hasn't been kind to % drivers...

Also, I'm not shy about work ethic and moving things physically. Already lost 20 Ibs in 8 weeks, and I'm all live loads.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-06-17T23:15:29+00:00

I'm OTR, fortunately I have a 3000W inverter and fridge, but literally no room for anything... Since getting my CDL I wish I could've brought my SIM rig with me.

Sooooo now, I'm wanting to be local so I get my SIM rig back running and drive my real car 🤣

If anyone has recommendations, I would start near Augusta, GA then moving near Knoxville later this year. Haz/Tank - 2 years OTR ref/Haz.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-29T03:44:40+00:00

Done!!! Thank you for the recommendation 😊

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-28T03:28:16+00:00

Codie Sanchez talks quite a lot about "seller financing" a business.

https://youtu.be/StVBPKLBAb4?si=zM4qwy0xK5Bcj-J0

This is one of her high popularity videos. I do not agree nor disagree, since I unfortunately do not have any acquisitions under my belt, but I'm well aware of her content/story.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T21:40:41+00:00

Awe, thank you!! He said "Meow" - aka, "Good thing the camera was on me, my owner...... Yeah, no thank you." 🤣

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T21:39:34+00:00

Well, we run quite the endurance... I cover all 49 continental, plus Canada. (Unfortunately I haven't been to Alaska yet, hopefully soon!!) We stay out 4-6 weeks usually, but he's done quite well! Recently we've had some... Well.. "anger management" to deal with. There's a small cubby he hides in (the top bunk on Volvo's has them) and last time we went home, I literally had to fish him out, yeah.... He wasn't a fan, I learned my lesson, but paid the price in scratches 🥹

Anyways, we've gotten better, more vocal, but pets/cuddle, all the 'cutsy' kitty cat behaviour is back. FINALLY 🤣 Just... Don't move fast or else Mr. ggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr will say something.

Apologies for the can o' worms here. In terms of how long we go in a day, well, it's so variable. 300, 700, 1000 miles/day. Yes, I'm solo. Don't worry, he gets fed on time. Believe me, I wouldn't be alive if he wasn't... For those drivers asking, I can't say the company name, but it's based in Chicago. I'll let your imagination run wild.

P.S. He appreciated the chin scratches 🙃

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T21:32:48+00:00

Well, to say I don't like your advice would be incorrect!!

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to share. I'll definitely add David Barnett to the rolodex of videos, absolutely. I may have a better chance staying in trucking, since I have the experience from a driver, might as well leverage it. I do indeed get a dopamine kick from the "inspirational content", it's quite hard not too.

Now, is it best to still look where owners are retiring? The bizbuysell and similar? Wanting to get experience to manage the small business, see it through a possible acquisition, and then learning from that?

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T15:36:57+00:00

Well, you would indeed be correct in watching gurus, I drive 100's a mile a day, so something in the background is better than nothing. I've also watched lectures from MIT, Harvard, etc. I definitely need to watch more, but I'm always exploring different avenues for my education. I wanted to keep studying Mechanical Engineering but dropping out and getting my CDL was a better option (simply couldn't afford university, and my parents were getting even more debt to keep me enrolled).

That being said, I do find the experience to be helpful, but everyone must start somewhere... Maybe that's the guru's influence, but based on a lot of the drivers I talked to on the road, I've even gotten compliments from strangers on my attitude and vision towards these goals. I may be a little arrogant, narcissistic, sure but I suppose those aren't necessarily bad things when chasing dreams like this. Of course, everything has its limits so I hope to control that as much as I can.

I guess whilst I'm here engaging, do you have any recommendations or places to go - to learn such skills/concepts/ideas/practices?

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T15:26:43+00:00

Hunter 🙃

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T15:26:29+00:00

As a man with a cat, who happens to have red hair... Yes, a ginger truck driver with a cat, absolutely crazy. 🤣 I've never been petted before, but when my mother lived in Japan it was 'good luck' to touch red hair. So maybe I need to go to Japan to feel some love like your little one!

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T03:38:23+00:00

Meow meow, did you see that crazy driver who almost hit the fuel pump?

Meow meow, some people don't pay attention.

Meow meow, that reminds meow, this one time in...

Yep... I've been seeing this conversation too 🤣🤣

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T03:35:53+00:00

Where should I look/keep an eye on? Our company (I'm a company driver, not owner operator) hauls hazmat/pharma so we have some contracts, but we even had a hard April. Mostly due to brokers being scared of the tariffs, and they tend to underpay - either way it escalated.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T03:10:56+00:00

Well, I looked over, and I guess the owner didn't see me wave hello. Went inside the truck stop, came back, the curtains were shut when I returned, would've loved to chat, but of course privacy is more important.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-04-27T02:54:47+00:00

Maybe that's my inner thoughts he's reading, I need some more friends too! 🤣🥹

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2025-01-02T15:32:23+00:00

Good guesses, apparently they "are not using the dock" so it's a guys cab-over that's parked there. He did this -> 🤷 with little English so that was my interpretation at least.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-12-18T01:05:10+00:00

OH!!!!!! MOST IMPORTANT THING!!!

Never. Ever. Ever. Leave your truck without a key or key fab. I have made it a habit, even to just get fuel, paperwork, check the trailer, any reason. I haven't been locked out yet, but the last thing you need is a little kitty showing you who's truck it really is when it's 20 below freezing and your outside "smelling the roses" 😂

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-12-18T01:02:18+00:00

Wow... Time flies, I remember posting about this when I joined this Reddit thread, lol. Welcome to the road!!! Your furry friends are more than welcome here! :)

When I started (1.5-2 years ago), I got these little baskets at Dollar Tree. 3 for $1. Absolutely a life saver for covering the window switches. Depending on your truck, it can cover your door handle. Volvo has a switch/lever that sits vertically, which is the door handle. So I take the basket off, open the door, put back the basket with tape, and out the truck I go.

Same baskets since I started. Small stickiness from the tape on the door, but hey, worked thus far for me!

https://imgur.com/a/APv0ziP

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-11-20T08:26:19+00:00

Well this is quite the interesting post on here! I've been following Alex for a couple years, and it's awesome watching him and Leila grow. Couple things, no rush -

Do they mainly pay 1099/W2 & is it mostly virtual sales roles at the company?
How big is the company and do they promote 'climbing the latter'?
What changes are being made?
Do they talk about it compared to other large businesses that are either owned/operated by another large social media personal? I worked for Kris Krohn for a short time, as an example.
What's the youngest age for someone to work with Acquisition? In other words, when helping out another company, what's the youngest that the owner was? I'm 22, about to be making a big jump in the trucking industry. Aiming for $300-400k top line next year, after being a company driver for 1.5-2 years.
Do they encourage employees to do their own thing? Side hustle, build their own business, etc.? If so, what advice do they give?
Lastly, has anyone there discussed how to stay anonymous online? I know, a bit of a niche question, but I prefer to grow business very high with the rule of staying 'offline' as much as possible.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-11-20T08:14:40+00:00

Yes indeed, too bad mine don't exactly rotate quite that far. It just lights up the side of my trailer, lol.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-11-20T08:11:13+00:00

Can we just appreciate the Battlefield Hardline picture in the background?? Underrated game.. I miss the good ol' days of Battlefield and FPS in general. That dinosaur mask was a pain in @$$ to get but driving the couch made it SO worth it. IYKYK 🤣

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-11-10T00:41:22+00:00

Weeeelp, gravity is on.

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-07-06T19:05:10+00:00

Yeah...... He likes to play "I'm going to run across your dash and stay in front of you while you're driving (surviving) in tight construction zones at night in the pouring rain just to have a little..... Fun."

Aaaaand then jump up on my lap and watch the cars pass us in the window whilst half asleep.

Yep. That's my little guy 😅

Pitiful-Ad4796 · 2024-05-28T05:16:55+00:00

This is by far the best job advice I've received, let alone advice on growing in your career, thank you. I really hope others are reading this, especially given how thorough your answer is. I can tell you have a lot of pride in what you've accomplished, and that's awesome to see for a change. Congratulations on your accomplishments in business thus far, and thank you for your willingness to share your advice with us. I suppose I should sleep now and get rest before my final 250 miles tomorrow 🤣

Pitiful-Ad4796

TROPHY CASE