How Long Before You Can Get A Dedicated Route
Topic 16363 | Page 1
The simple answer is no. It all depends on the company and the type of dedicated accounts available.
My suggestion is to get your feet wet running OTR for a few months and then seek a transfer into a dedicated account. My reason for this suggestion is many, not all of these accounts have a greater degree of difficulty that could be too much for a Newbie fresh off their trainers truck.
As you inquire to potential employers, ask the recruiter about their dedicated account opportunities.
Good luck!
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.
Not with Schneider National -
I started with Schneider directly out of Driving School in April of 2015. I have been in several different roles already. Each has pros and cons, if you will. Personally it has been a matter of finding which driving role is the best fit for me. I was told upon hire that any role meant at least a 3 month commitment before I could change positions. But as you can see, that was not true. (Probably because drivers come and go weekly. So when they get someone who is going to try to stay with it, they roll with it.)
Solo - Regional for 3 months, Team - Lower 48 for 1 month, Solo - Regional Dedicated Delivery for 1 month, Solo - Lower 48 for 3 months, Dedicated - Regional for 1 month, Solo - Lower 48 for 7 months, Dedicated - Regional for 1 month
Let me say that I did enjoy the consistency of routine, steady pay, as well as regular routes on both Dedicated Accounts. But at the same time, those consistencies also helped me realize my true appreciation for the open road across the United States. Dedicated meant Account Manager micro-management of my time daily. Solo Lower 48 means I am given a delivery window (sometimes a specific date and time) and allowed to manage my own time. And when you compare the pay for the Dedicated Account being consistent weekly, it is actually a wash (one is about like the other). As Solo Lower 48 I might earn more one week than another, but I do it as I choose and at the end of the month it is the same income.
Do what you need to do for you, Brandon. Everybody has a formula or ideology or theory or whatever you want to call it. But real world, do what you need to do. But whatever you do, please follow Brett Aquilla's advice on this site ............ try to enjoy it!
Do you have to be experienced or be at a company long before you can apply for a dedicated route ? I am getting my cdl soon.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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."
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.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 you have to be experienced or be at a company long before you can apply for a dedicated route ? I am getting my cdl soon.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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."