What's Next ????

I'm coming up on 1 year. I keep hearing about the mega carriers being great "starter companies." But seriously, what comes next ? What should I be looking for ? I can't see myself doing 5 or more weeks on the road with 4 days off for the rest of my life.

Don't get me wrong, I don't need to be home nightly, (would be nice) but 4 days a month is not really something I enjoy.

I'm coming up on 1 year. I keep hearing about the mega carriers being great "starter companies." But seriously, what comes next ? What should I be looking for ? I can't see myself doing 5 or more weeks on the road with 4 days off for the rest of my life.

Don't get me wrong, I don't need to be home nightly, (would be nice) but 4 days a month is not really something I enjoy.

Ask about regional or local work near your home. If your current company doesn't have regional or local work near your home, then look for a company that does. After a year in the business, it's normally fairly easy to move around if you've kept your nose clean.

Another thing to consider is if a company has a hub or depot near your home. If they do, then chances are they do regional or local in your area, and if you get into a regional job and can't park the truck on your property at home, having a nearby depot or hub makes it much easier to get home from where you park the truck.

Diver, Farmer Bob has it. The life of an OTR driver is indeed based on 1 day home for 1 week on the road.

I've been driving for Swift for almost two years. OTR, then shuttle, and regional dedicated. Famed as a so-called starter company, Swift has all the miles you can eat, anywhere you want to go. Why change? They also have lots of million miler drivers.

Shuttle driving is usually home daily, but I'm out 12 hours a day. Add in sleeping, and your daily free time of only a few hours, but it's at home. Weekly schedule I have our 4 days on, 2 days off. Most paychecks are almost as consistent as a M-F job.

I drive regional dedicated fit Georgia Pacific. On the road Monday to Friday, home the weekend. A nice blend of OTR and still get home weekly.

Thanks guys ! I greatly appreciate it.

I'm with you on that. I am attracted to doing something regional after my otr time is fufilled, but also looking into a shuttle type run. The great thing is with this piece of plastic, there are a lot of options!

I can't really compare much with OTR. I have been Regional from the get go. I have kinda fell into a dedicated niche. Feels like SCA should be on the side of my truck, lol. I do have the odd week of going other places, but definitely the exception, not the rule.

What's next?

I'm about to hit my two-year anniversary and have been getting recruited by some interesting companies. I say interesting, because they won't hire until you have two years' experience (insurance), some have better retirement plans and better vacation. One of them offers the same pay I'm at now, but everything is Southeast regional , which (for me) means I'll be home more often (though not as long as now).

So, I say look at the names of trucks and trailers when you're delivering/picking up in your area. Then contact them or talk to their drivers. I'm not saying all these companies are the best place to be, but you never know. You just might find a company that offers exactly what you're looking for.

Good luck and congratulations on your first year!

What about TMC? Not home daily but you can be home almost every weekend.

I'm about to get my year at the end of January. I plan to either train with my current company or come of the road although it's going to be hard paying for rent as high as it is nowadays.

Like others have said ask at your current company.

If however they can't fit you into something you really want then you need to put together a pros and cons list starting with the things you can't live without (for me it was being solo in a truck and pay) pretty short list I know.

After that some things you would like and for me that was not to run in NYC. And start looking around and it took me several months to find the right fit. And the company I now work for is great.They don't run east of PA or CA at all (never had a problem with CA). But in nearly two months I'm on my first 34 and that is because I asked for it. Also on one of those list would have been not sitting forever and with going to a smaller company that was something I was worried about, being that they don't have as many trailers and I would be live loaded and unloaded mostly, but in my orientation they told me after the first hour call us. After the second hour your making money.

I'm happy I guess that's my point. Try and see if your first company will fit you in. When I told my FM I was thinking of jumping ship he bent over backwards and offered me the moon but I was with a team only company and my main concern was to be solo.