Best Regional/OTR Companies For Experienced Drivers
Topic 28167 | Page 1
Hey All, Im brand new here, based out of Philly area. Been driving for 8 years now, predominantly worked local as a heavy equipment hauler. Good pay, and benefits. But.......I might as well be OTR or Regional as we are worked to the bone out in the elements unloading and loading landoll or lowboy trailers in any weather condition you can imagine. im experienced but dont think i know it all thats for sure. looking to find out the best OTR/Regional companies for experienced driver to move to. I ran flatbed before for PGT and it was okay when i got linked up with a good dispatcher/driver manager. i took the local job becuase of union benefits. but theres so much politics and bs involved working amongst the same people managers trying to force loads on you lasts minute. im looking for a good balance of pay/benefits as well as employee/company relations. appreciate all the good input. thanks Enzo.
Howdy, Enzo/Joe, and welcome to TT ~!
We are usually more about helping 'newbies' ... but I've got some info for you, via my hubby; who's been driving for many years. Garner Trucking in Findlay, Ohio has been one of the 20 best fleets to drive for, 4 years in a row. Mostly regional, and yes... NE if you don't mind such. Equipment is excellent; we have been to their terminal. They hire seasoned drivers only. Might be something you could look into, because if my hubby wanted to go OTR/Regional, he would definitely drive for them!
Hope this helps; best of luck and let us know!
Anne :)
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Driver Manager:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
I don't run back east anymore, so can't help you there.
However, I will say that "THE best" company to drive for is what you do for yourself at ANY company. A company is what you make of it. When you give a company 110%, the company loves you and will bend over backwards to make you happy. Don't read reviews of companies because it is mainly written by disgruntled former employees. There may be a few valid negative comments but most are written by people who brought on their own problems. Just go out there and apply to many companies. Know what you are looking for and what you don't want to put up with and then realize somethings you can compromise on and there you have your company. Everyone's ideal company is different from each other. Let us know how it goes.
Laura
JB Hunt has dedicated/regional & OTR divisions in your area. Pay structure & hometime will vary with every company out here. Most of the major careers (Prime, Swift, Roehl, Knight...) offer Northeast regional & some dedicated divisions but Prime requires you to drive a lightweight instead of a condo tractor. Another option & for ME, one of the best options, Walmart is always looking for drivers in the PA/NY area. Just dont know how close you are to any of their DC"s. Hope that helps.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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Hey All, Im brand new here, based out of Philly area. Been driving for 8 years now, predominantly worked local as a heavy equipment hauler. Good pay, and benefits. But.......I might as well be OTR or Regional as we are worked to the bone out in the elements unloading and loading landoll or lowboy trailers in any weather condition you can imagine. im experienced but dont think i know it all thats for sure. looking to find out the best OTR/Regional companies for experienced driver to move to. I ran flatbed before for PGT and it was okay when i got linked up with a good dispatcher/driver manager. i took the local job becuase of union benefits. but theres so much politics and bs involved working amongst the same people managers trying to force loads on you lasts minute. im looking for a good balance of pay/benefits as well as employee/company relations. appreciate all the good input. thanks Enzo.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Driver Manager:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.