Not So Sure A Dedicated Account Is For Me....

I know I have only been solo for a little over a month now, but I don't know how much longer I can do a dedicated account. There are things I really like about it such as being familiar with where I'm going and the places I am dealing with. The biggest negative for me is that I run up against my 14 hour clock on a regular basis and while I don't mind hard work, I am so tired by the end of the week it is difficult to enjoy any time I have at home. I may have to go OTR which wouldn't be the worst thing but I do like the familiarity of the dedicated. However, I do hate driving in Chicago though and that is where I seem to end up most of the time. I am surprised no one eats Kraft products in southern Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois!

When I worked for Sygma I did the same route every week. Only had a chance to pick a new route every 6 months. It started feeling like a job. I like the OTR lifestyle!

Dedicated takes a little to get use to. I'd suggest giving it a little more time. Once you get use to the routine, it should get easier. Otherwise, OTR isn't all that bad.

And I saw you had a dedicated route and thought that might not be a bad way to go my first year given the opportunity! Seems A little safer? Not as much of a chance getting lost in a bad spot, already knowing where all the good parking is and when it's available. A bit easier to get that first safe year in? IDK. Keep us posted.

And I saw you had a dedicated route and thought that might not be a bad way to go my first year given the opportunity! Seems A little safer? Not as much of a chance getting lost in a bad spot, already knowing where all the good parking is and when it's available. A bit easier to get that first safe year in? IDK. Keep us posted.

You're right about that...no question.

Jolie, I can promise you one thing.....OTR is no less exhausting than regional or local jobs. You just won't be home as often. The long hours are pretty universal in trucking. I mean, you can go OTR and decide not to run as hard as possible and you might get more rest than you're getting now but you're going to be sitting around in parking lots an awful lot doing nothing.

A ton of people come here thinking about a career in trucking but they say they really want to be home as often as possible. I generally tell those people to look for other career opportunities because the time you spend at home is mostly spent sleeping, showering, and eating. You're experiencing that now. I've never had a trucking job that wasn't exhausting to be honest with you and I've done everything from being home every night to being gone for two months at a time. It's just the nature of the job most of the time.

I guess it just goes to show that everyone has different preferences and trucking has something for everyone. In your case, you have what most people would consider a dream job. You're on a dedicated account getting killer miles and getting home on the weekends. Most of the drivers out there would sign up for that in a heartbeat. But without the quality of life you're looking for a job will become gruelling.

Stick it out for a bit and see what happens. If you continue to feel this way in another few weeks or a month see if you can switch divisions and try something different.

Hey Jolie. Running dedicated is a whole different animal than OTR. I just started on a walmart grocery account in the west. We cover a large area so sometimes it can feel like otr but when I need to do a 34 reset I can go home to do it. I have been doing it for 2 months and have not taken any home time yet! And I have been home more than in the year I ran otr. Takes some getting used to but for me the benefits way out weigh the downside.

My biggest problem getting started was figuring out the reefer. I had never pulled one and hadn't a clue what to do with it!! They said here's your reefer and they may as we have said "here's your sign" I felt that stupid but it all came together and I am lovin it.

Hope all turns out well for you.

Bart