Been In Vegas. Time To Make A Decision
Topic 33116 | Page 1
Maybe on a dedicated run , but that's usually assigned internally after putting some time in.
Also sounds like linehaul , but there's not much work available there. Maybe a backhaul driver for a food company, but they usually require experience.
The truth is, Tammy there is no easy in on this career. It's going to be hard and frustrating. I'm not even sure why you want to do this when all you do is complain about the entry point. First it was the drugs, then it was the man kid, then it was the client, then it was moving....
The answer to your question is yes, those jobs exist. The caveat is that they require experience and they're desirable. In some cases (like my own) they require seniority.
Dedicated Run:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Even in the context of a dedicated, you may be sent to different shippers and receivers. Also, most likely, you will need to do training OTR anyway.
The idea is to use a system to make unknown known, to address the things that scare you, to work through them in a logical and orderly manner. The idea is not to try to evade and dodge the things that frighten you.
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
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.
Life takes time. I am finally free. I've been living in Vegas three months now in my RV. The man kid is making a fortune playing poker. He finally found something he's good at. He thinks this is where he always was meant to be. Now it's just me. One person said if you don't like it then you quit. I've never been afraid of anything but getting stuck in a place I don't know how to maneuver out of with an 18 wheeler scares the **** out of me. Backing up scares the **** out of me. I don't know if I can actually do it without panicking. My mind keeps coming back to driving. It's what I love to do.
Maybe on a dedicated run , but that's usually assigned internally after putting some time in.
Also sounds like linehaul , but there's not much work available there. Maybe a backhaul driver for a food company, but they usually require experience.
The truth is, Tammy there is no easy in on this career. It's going to be hard and frustrating. I'm not even sure why you want to do this when all you do is complain about the entry point. First it was the drugs, then it was the man kid, then it was the client, then it was moving....
The answer to your question is yes, those jobs exist. The caveat is that they require experience and they're desirable. In some cases (like my own) they require seniority.
Dedicated Run:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Linehaul:
Linehaul drivers will normally run loads from terminal to terminal for LTL (Less than Truckload) companies.
LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers will have Linehaul drivers and P&D drivers. The P&D drivers will deliver loads locally from the terminal and pick up loads returning them to the terminal. Linehaul drivers will then run truckloads from terminal to terminal.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Apply to as many places as you can (if you haven't already done so). When contacted by a recruiter ask if they have the type of dedicated route you are interested in.
A new driver here on the forum recently started a dedicated account with Schneider, driving between Home Depot (I think it was Home Depot) distribution centers.
Schneider, Swift, US Xpress, and others have many of these types of accounts. But as Banks mentioned, they are not always available to new drivers. But...sometimes they are.
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Tammy, if the man kid is making a fortune at poker, maybe it’s time for him to support you.
I’m just not sure if truck driving is going to be a good match for you. Right now, your fears are your biggest obstacles.
If you work for a USPS contractor you can drive the same daily route, to the same postal facilities, with the same start time, four, five, or six days a week. I'm not aware of any who hire inexperienced drivers though.
I don't think it's my place to offer advice to someone I don't know. However:
If you decide to pursue this career, there's a real possibility that things don't work out and six or twelve months from now you're not driving a CMV. If you decide not to pursue it, there's a 100% possibility that six or twelve months from now you're not driving a CMV. You can ponder this forever, but there's only one way to find out if it's for you.
If it were me, I'd consider the opportunity cost - if I do pursue a driving career, what other job or life opportunities will I have to walk away from? And if things don't work out with driving, can I move back to those other things, or are those doors closed forever?
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Tammy, this is an industry that takes a whole lot of self starting, and putting aside anxiety of the unknown. The internet has given us way more knowledge at our fingertips than drivers of old.
You can't let anxiety of a new area stop you from getting it done. I am not trying to pee in your Cheerios here, but there comes a point where you have to just do it, and find out if you have what it takes.
First you just need to get thru training for whoever you choose. Then the rest will come as it may, then it's time to concentrate on everything you're doing. Being safe, not rushing yourself or letting others rush you either. It's not all that bad once you get to doing it. But that's the thing, JUST DOOO IT lol...........You'll learn kinda quick, if you're made out for truck driving or not !
Good Luck, now jus' "Git 'R Dun"
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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Do any of these big trucking companies have the same route? I don't care if I'm out a month at a time. I don't think I would be good at going different places I am not familiar with. If I do this I want the exact same route every week even if it's cross country. At least I would know the roads and the exact truck stops and times I would need to start and stop. Is this possible?