Comments By Dan M.

Dan, I will add to the chorus of folks urging you to skip that dedicated dollar offer.

You sound like a guy that would likely enjoy long-term OTR, so why not give that a try first. If it turns out that you do enjoy staying out for extended periods, I think you'll earn just as much or more than the dedicated guys that go home a lot.

After you're OTR for a year, you'll have much more knowledge not only of driving but also of the industry, and you can then re-evaluate the type of routes and freight you want to haul and go from there.

Thanks for the advice Dave. I really do think I will enjoy the OTR and I am looking forward to it. Just had PTL in to recruit and gives me another option to think about. I'm encouraged about the animal policy from some of these companies. Looks like Brutus might just be going on the road with the old man !!

Heres an idea..go to a few dollar stores and look at the parking lot and cars. there are some that wouls gice me a headache....so a fresh newbie?

run. dont walk, run lol

You guys would know Rainy. I'm now just a week or 2 from testing so I'm really looking forward to the process. Just have to get all my ducks in a row. Have to say that the Dollar stores around me in South Jersey don't look THAT bad for parking !!

Dan, those dollar store accounts are really tough gigs. We never recommend starting your career on those accounts. The physical labor is tough, and the backing scenarios are really bad.

We've discussed this subject a lot over the years. If you put dollar store in the search bar at the top of this page, you'll find a good many former discussions on the subject.

I took your advice and pulled the articles. I have to agree and I'm sure with my work ethic that the money won't be a problem. Just have to focus on learning how to be successful in the business. Thanks again for your honest advice. Dan

Dan, the reason they offer them to rookies is because they need butts in the seat. The injury rate on any physical unload gig is extremely high. For instance i received a message from our safety director today. It said that with 150 drivers we are at 60 days injury free. The terminal I run out of has been around for atleast 35 years and the "safety record" is 91 days injury free. Also there have been 5 incidents of hitting objects in parking lots, and 2 drivers took down power lines in the last week. I deliver to places that are tight like dollar accounts. The only benefit I have is I'm in a 28 'PUP, not a 53' like you would have.

Most experienced drivers that are willing to put in the work make the same, or more money by running OTR than they'd make physically unloading their trailer. If you end up doing that account I'd love to read a diary from you.

Thank you Rob, I appreciate it. I value the opinions here and pretty much had it in my mind that I shouldn't change my plan about OTR. I am interested to find out what the difference would be in pay for someone out longer than the normal 3 weeks out, 3 days home.

And...is it an account where YOU unload the truck yourself? as a new driver, you will have stamina issues no matter how good you are. if you are expected to unload, i would definitely run to OTR lol My first couple months i would pull into rest areas and be asleep before i hit the bunk lol

15-20 years ago when I would load my own truck at the Philly Produce Market, unload to my warehouse, put orders together, then deliver it all, I could practically lift the truck off the ground. Have to get it through my thick skull I'm not a kid any more. I would probably guess that for someone who stays out for extended time, the pay would reflect that, as it should. OTR was always what I had in mind to start out anyway. Just found it interesting that he offered those routes to rookie drivers. Guess I'm also getting a little antsy to get moving on also though. Getting restless in my old age !! lol

Dan I have been running Walmart Dedicated NorthEast Region for many years now. It works for me; but it's not for mistvdrivers, either love it or hate it. Pay scale is adjusted for less miles due to the congested nature of the geography and the nature of retail "live-unload" multiple delivery per dispatch operation. The CPM difference between my rate and the OTR rate is 11 cents plus a flat dispatch fee and stop pay.

Yea G-Town, I guess it's tough to decide since I just don't know what it would be like. So thankful to have you guys to ask questions of. And since I'm not as young as I once was...maybe some of the drop and hook or OTR would suite me better.

I started running this Account with only 3 mos OTR. It did NOT adequately prepare me for the demands of this type of work. My first month on the account was very difficult, basically was a whole different world from OTR, different challenges, greater frequency of close quarter maneuvering, 20% urban driving, and different clock management requirements.

If I were to go with someone like Werner, don't know how long after orientation I would have until I had to make a choice where to start out. I will continue to seek your advice along the way for sure.

Theres a lot to consider. for example, Prime gives 5cpm more ($6k annually) for a lightweight which you need for many dedicated routes. Is this the situation? can u live in a smaller truck?

I did ask him and he did SAY it was the same truck but didn't sound too convincing.

Tight backing, tight turns, make a wrong turn and you could end up 30 miles away from the customer. Then think about winters and those small roads...small dark roads, especially in Maine. there is a major lack of parking up there which is more frustrating foe a new driver.

Yea I can't disagree with you there. I'm feeling pretty good at school but I'm not over confident about it. I know it will be very different when actually out there.

My personal opinion, get some OTR first...six months even. Learn how to control that trailer and get the time management down. if it was another part of the country, maybe...but im offered NE all the time being from jersey. the accident risk to a new driver is very very high...even with the most cautious of drivers. it only takes ONE second of inattention or drowsiness to end that career.

Will probably road test within 2 weeks so I will have some time to think about that. Maybe the fact that I won't be asking for home time much will effect the pay in a positive way also I would think. Appreciate the input from you...as always Rainy

How are you calculating that difference in pay? Allentown to Maine could be pretty brutal on a rookie. Are you confident you can make that happen efficiently? Who is the customer that's being served on that dedicated gig? Does it include unloading freight?

Don't have all the details yet Old School, he just gave generic examples of pay for different areas. The account was Dollar General. Until I get out on the road more I'm not confident about it at all honestly. I think you do have to unload the bins to the customer that are pre-loaded on the truck. I did deliver produce for 10 years into Ocean City, NJ so I do know some about the physical part of it.

Hey everyone, now in week 4 of school. My 90, parallel and offset are pretty right on for me as is shifting and double clutching. Should get out on the road this week. There was a large volume company recruiter who came out and gave his pitch. Seems like the OTR and dedicated were available to us rookies coming out of school. I planned on OTR and staying out many months at a time in the truck. Seems like the standard OTR is much lower pay than the dedicated (national account from Allentown, Pa. to southern Maine)...and I mean like 15K difference. Would staying out earn me much more generally, and should I even consider a dedicated ?

I'm not just in it for the money but that's quite a bit of difference. With that being said I am kind of on the down side of the mountain so I gotta git while the gitten's good !! lol What do you think ?

we both lobe our companies

Hey Rainy...you have some kind of weird ear fetish ?? lol Just asking. Dan

yes..... i do. i vant to suck your lobe!!! :::said in my best dracula accent:::

Haha, yes great accent.