Thinking Of Switching To A Dedicated Account

I have been thinking about switching to a dedicated account for awhile now, only because my paychecks are not really consistent. One week I might get 2500+ miles but the next few weeks I might only get 1500-1800 miles or lower because I always end up in freight dead zones where I end up waiting a day or two for a load.

Switching to a dedicated account seems like it would offer a much more consistent paycheck and allow me to plan for things since I'm currently the only one working while my wife goes to school. During my 8-9 months OT, I've had the chance to do many dedicated account loads and it had shown to be very consistent. Just recently I got the chance of doing 3 Harley Davidson loads which were all between 800-900 miles each so that week was very good. But then this week I only got about 1600 miles, so it just doesn't Schneider doesn't have the miles to keep everyone busy each week. Which this has been a problem since I went OTR. Schneider is a great company, and I feel like switching to a dedicated account would offer a much more secure lifestyle I guess?

But the only downside is where we currently live, they only offer two dedicated accounts that doesn't require team driving, which isn't for me. That is either a Family Dollar Account, which we all know how those are and the other account is something they refer to as a National Dedicated where you'll be out for three weeks at a time I believe and do loads for different dedicated customers they have and might be slip seat(not entirely sure). So I don't have a lot of options vs if I lived in York PA for example where Schneider has many dedicated options.

Looking to get some opinions, and no I'm not thinking about leaving or anything. Just looking at what might be better for me here.

Jamie, there seems to be a widespread freight slowdown from everything I read hear and elsewhere. It's like a stock market decline where some investors panic and start selling at a loss when the proven strategy is to sit tight and wait it out. Sounds like you've been under a lot of stress lately and you are getting anxious. It might be best for you to just stay the course and wait it out like many others are doing. You don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire.

I thought Schneider had a dedicated Costco account??

You might want to consider their regional tanker jobs: home every week or better. Deliver load and drive back empty. Should be more consistent.

Jamie, there seems to be a widespread freight slowdown from everything I read hear and elsewhere. It's like a stock market decline where some investors panic and start selling at a loss when the proven strategy is to sit tight and wait it out. Sounds like you've been under a lot of stress lately and you are getting anxious. It might be best for you to just stay the course and wait it out like many others are doing. You don't want to jump from the frying pan into the fire.

Of course, I understand the slowdown everywhere basically. However this has been a problem since I went OTR , but has only gotten worse since the slow down has been happening. I have been under a lot of stress but nothing money wise but more personal family wife due to this major surgery coming up. It's on the 25th of June, so I still have a bit of time to go. I'm sure they will be fine but their health is very bad so it's a high risk surgery.

I'm not looking to jump ship and switch companies like a lot of people, I love my job and company but just need something more consistent paycheck wise to make future plans more easier.

I thought Schneider had a dedicated Costco account??

You might want to consider their regional tanker jobs: home every week or better. Deliver load and drive back empty. Should be more consistent.

Schneider has a lot of dedicated accounts but sadly not in the area my wife and I live in, they only have two solo options. I have thought about switching to tanker, as it had been on my mind for awhile now but I was waiting to get more experience which I feel I could do now. Just wasn't entirely sure how the training would go and about passing it, etc.

Jamie, I know you are staying with Schneider. My point is that there is nothing wrong with looking into your options, but make sure if you go dedicated the new account will guarantee you a more consistent situation. I have a friend from the academy who is on a dedicated account and he is not doing well with either miles or money.

Jamie, I hear ya'. My OTR miles have been just like yours, only with Swift. Very frustrating when you are a "get it done" Driver! I am currently running a WM Dedicated Grocery out of McCarran, NV. $.50 per mile, $15.00 per stop. Average about $1200.00 per week gross. Have hit almost $1500.00 once, and one week at $950.00

All in all, not a bad gig, I just wish I could gross $1200.00 average doing OTR, as that is my preference. Good Luck!

Jamie, I know you are staying with Schneider. My point is that there is nothing wrong with looking into your options, but make sure if you go dedicated the new account will guarantee you a more consistent situation. I have a friend from the academy who is on a dedicated account and he is not doing well with either miles or money.

Yeah I plan to look into it and discuss it with my DBL to see what options they might have that isn't listed on their site. I heard the same about regional drivers, I met two people during training that have had a pretty terrible time with low miles and low paychecks. Now based on how they tell me everything I can see why they might not overlooked over someone else, such as just making it to the customer when they feel like it rather then trying to make the appointment times, etc.

But I don't plan to switch and hope for the best, but more explore my other options within Schneider driving wise. I know switching, I'm lose my new truck I got not to long ago but it has been nice while it lasted.

Not much I can do over the weekend since my DBL isn't in, but just thinking currently. We're parked until tomorrow waiting on a relay. Plus my home time is coming up Tuesday, so I can talk to my DBL face to face about it.

Jamie, I hear ya'. My OTR miles have been just like yours, only with Swift. Very frustrating when you are a "get it done" Driver! I am currently running a WM Dedicated Grocery out of McCarran, NV. $.50 per mile, $15.00 per stop. Average about $1200.00 per week gross. Have hit almost $1500.00 once, and one week at $950.00

All in all, not a bad gig, I just wish I could gross $1200.00 average doing OTR, as that is my preference. Good Luck!

Yeah I seen that in another post, congrats! I once did a dedicated Walmart load out of Winterville, OH to two Walmart stores, wasn't a bad run! Last week I hit a gross of $1360 or so thanks to those HD loads! I'm sure once I talk to my DBL Monday or Tuesday, he'll be able to help me with some more options or fill me in on some information about specific accounts!

Ask if Schneider still runs Walmart loads out of the Bedford PA DC (5 miles north of I76 off I99).

This DC used to be all orange then Ceva came in. Last I heard they weren’t performing real well. Might not hurt to inquire on this.