How to become an OTR driver

How to become an OTR driver When you think of the phrase â€Å"truck driver,† you’re probably envisioning an over-the-road (OTR) truck driver: someone who drives a big rig long distances to deliver a load of freight. As opposed to delivery drivers, who typically have set local routes, OTR truckers can transport goods across the county, state, or even country. There’s something very appealing and old-school about the idea of hitting the open road- is it the right option for you? What does an OTR trucker do?OTR trucking (also known as long-haul trucking) is a type of driving that involves using large tractor-trailer trucks to haul freight of all kinds (including heavy loads of goods, machinery, or other equipment) long distances. Routes are typically across state lines, and may include parts of the United States and Canada- basically anywhere accessible by main roads and highways.This is definitely not your typical 9-to-5 job. These drivers work on demanding schedules and can be away from hom e for weeks at a time. These schedules may require driving nights, weekends, or holidays to meet unforgiving deadlines. It can also be a very solitary job, with drivers often traveling alone on long trips.What skills does an OTR trucker have?OTR truckers are masters of logistics and need to have a number of skills ready to go, on the road or not.Driving Skills:  This may seem like a no-brainer, but OTR drivers require some next-level driving skills. Drivers should drive with an eye on safety and their freight at all times. And in addition to a commercial driver’s license (CDL), a clean driving record is essential for scoring a job in OTR trucking.Mechanical Skills:  Out on the road, you may need to be your own mechanic, if something happens out of AAA range or a place where the nearest mechanic is miles away. OTR drivers should have a solid base set of mechanical skills to be able to troubleshoot minor mechanical difficulties along the way.Time Management Skills:  Nothi ng drives (pun mostly intended) a trucker’s world more than the delivery schedule. Truckers need to be able to manage their time independently and efficiently to make sure they’re delivering their freight on schedule.Self-Starter Skills:  Out on the road, you won’t have a boss looking over your shoulder to make sure you’re doing everything that needs doing or staying on task and on time. Truckers should be able to independently determine what needs to be done and develop a game plan for delivering the load on schedule and without major issues.What do you need to become an OTR trucker?The most essential step in becoming an OTR driver is getting your CDL certification. The licensing process may vary by state, but will involve a combination of a written test and a practical driving test. As with any driving test, you can go it alone and try to cram on your own, but there are many commercial driving schools that offer programs that train you, walk you throu gh testing, and prepare you for what life will be like as an OTR driver. The CDL focuses on the skills and mechanical know-how necessary to operate large tractor trailers. You can also get optional certification in specialties like transporting hazardous materials.How much do OTR drivers get paid?According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for delivery drivers is $41,430, or $19.87 per hour. This can vary pretty widely, depending on factors like the driver’s experience level, the type of freight being transported, and the distance. Some drivers are paid a flat rate for an entire trip, while others are paid by the mile.What’s the outlook for OTR drivers?This is a very steady field and will continue to be so. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that the OTR driving field will grow by about 5% by 2024.

Great whites essays

Great whites essays Sharks have a bad reputation as blood thirsty killers, but only a few are dangerous. Attacks on people are very rare. For example in the last thirty-two years there were only forty-two great white shark attacks and only four were fatal. That is one death in eight years. Road accident kill thousands, but they dont exterminate the car. People are more likely to die in a car accident or drown in the ocean . Surfers are more at risk. Attacks on surfers happen near seal or sea lion breeding colonies. When surfers dangle their arms and legs over the edge of their surfboards, the sharks think that they look like seals because of their similar shapes from below . Mesh nets are used to protect beaches. Trapped sharks suffocate. When a shark cant swim it cant keep water flowing through its gills. Over 1,400 sharks are caught each year. Many of these sharks are harmless. The nets also catch and kill dolphins, sea lions, birds, turtles and rays. After three weeks they need to be replaced. With seaweed and other marine growth, they are easily seen and avoided by sharks. They also use interlocking chain nets, but they are so expensive that they are only used to protect small areas. Chemical repellents have also been tried but dont work well because they get washed away .Test are being done to see if electrical barriers can be used . Sharks are very sensitive to electric current. The seals in the breeding colonies usually stick together. When they do that the sharks usually leave them alone. There are thousands of baby seals born each year and hundreds die of starvation and diseases. The mothers go out to find food and leave the babies by themselves for days at a time. Sometimes the babies get swept into the sea or wander away from the seal raft (which is when all the seals swim together). It is then that the baby seals get attacked. It is survival of the fittest a...