Local Job With Schneider

So I commonly check the Schneider job website for any new openings out of my OC, well today I seen a opening for a dedicated flatbed position, home daily and you'll be hauling a 36 flatbed with a moffett part of their home depot account, securing loads requires but no tarping.

I discussed it with my DBL and applied for it, only time will tell if I get it or not. But its something I have been looking for, not local specifically but something with consistent pay which this offers a base pay.

Switching to the Dark Side???

Switching to the Dark Side???

I might be! Only time will tell.

Good Luck....how long do the job announcements post for?

Sorry Jamie, I applied for that one yesterday.

Good Luck....how long do the job announcements post for?

What do you mean?

Sorry Jamie, I applied for that one yesterday.

Dang, than I have no chance!

But more seriously I hope I get it or maybe I'll find another opening at some point. but I actually have been wanting on their flatbed account for awhile! I would prefer to be apart of the glass account they have, but this will be the next best thing.

Of course I'm joking Jamie.

I just wanted to point something out. It's basically information for people reading this. One of the issues new drivers have with OTR work is the inconsistency of their paychecks. I understand it, because I've been through it. I no longer have that issue, and that tells me it's not so much an issue of the OTR job. I was in sixteen states over the last five days - I know this OTR lifestyle. It takes at least a couple of years or more to really get your stride out here.

Inconsistent pay is a rookie issue. It just really takes some time and commitment to get to the level where you know what you're doing and your support staff in the office trusts you without question. At that point you're going to have to be asking them for a little break in the action every now and then.

Jamie, there's not a thing wrong with wanting some sort of base pay, but remember those jobs still require a lot of hustle and initiative. They offer a base pay because they know you can, and should, be able to do better than that each week. If you're not, they know you're not the right person for the job.

Most of what needs to happen so that we're earning consistent miles and money is accomplished by the driver's consistent performance. Being steady as a rock and constantly showing the stellar characteristics of a Top Tier Driver will help with this issue tremendously. The problem most of us experience in this arena is that we consider ourselves good at this before we ever realize what being good at it really means. That's not a slight aimed at Jamie, I know this all too well.

Think about it. Why do so many drivers always look for other companies, jobs, or opportunities elsewhere in the trucking world? We all tend to think we're doing a great job, but we're not being appreciated the way we should. It's always something to do with the job or the company that is hindering our paychecks. Seldom do we ever look deep inside and try to dig deeper so that we can improve things ourselves. Most of us don't know how to accomplish that. We talked about this a little recently in this conversation about How To Make More Money In Trucking.

Remember it's not easy Running With The Big Dogs. Easy money isn't always good money. If you make good money out here you'll earn it. This is a dynamic business. It can be very demanding. Brett says it best when he says it's an extraordinary job that requires extraordinary people.

Sorry Jamie, I applied for that one yesterday.

Job hopping again, Old One?

Of course I'm joking Jamie.

Of course, I was just going along with it.

And i know the inconsistent pay is due to me being a rookie and needing to prove myself. I have been doing that and always look for ways to improve with everything ranging from driving, dealing with customers, keeping dispatch informed of any delays and things alike, and so on down the list. And it has shown that it has helped, these days I get loads with more miles on them, with some bad weeks here and there which is expected. Unlike before where I did a lot of short haul loads all the time.

Now I'm in no way saying I'm perfect and got this all figured out, just that I'm always trying to improve rather then just getting by doing the bare minimum.

Schneider is an amazing company and everyone is here to help you improve if you wish too. Me looking into something with more of a base pay or even something with more consistent miles each week is more of a temporary thing to better support me and my wife's situation currently.

I know your comment wasnt directed at me, but I figured I would reply regarding my specific situation.

Me looking into something with more of a base pay or even something with more consistent miles each week is more of a temporary thing to better support me and my wife's situation currently.

Jamie, what kind of miles are you turning each week currently?

I don't honestly see how this move to a local flatbedding job is going to earn you more money than an OTR job. You should be able to turn 2,800+ miles per week right now running OTR. I find it highly unlikely you could make the same salary at that new position.

Some people get freaked out by the way the loads fall on each paycheck. They'll get one big paycheck, then a small one the next week and think they're not doing well overall when in fact it's just kind of random which loads fall on which paychecks. Obviously you have to look at the average pay you're making overall to get a clear idea.

When a job offers a base pay they're really feeding on the exact concerns you're expressing with the uneven paychecks. Almost never will a top driver earn anywhere near as little as the base pay. They would be furious if that's all they made in a week.

I think you should really evaluate this a little better before you make this move if the plan is to make as much money as possible. I highly doubt you'll make more at that local flatbed job.

Now on the other hand, if the point is to get home more often then by all means I understand. That would be fine. But I can't see how you'd make more money overall making that move to a local position.