How to find dedicated runs?

Myself, I don't like dedicated. Dedicated means I work someone else schedule. When I want to take a few days or a month off, I want the freedom to do that.

 

Dedicated works great at first for some. I have been on semi dedicated runs for quite a while. there is always rate cutters trying to move in. though not just anytime. usually only when it is slow, then they try to move in for a cut rate & make No money. just enough to break even & last long enough to get past the slow down. then they give it up, at which for some unknown reason to me the former carriers are happy to take it back at the rate where the cutters had it? thankfully I am at a co who has rates at acceptable levels & know that a profit needs to be made.

if you, anyone starts a dedicated run, do not treat the pay check like a job, that it will be there, the same pay every week. do not live like you can depend on the money. it is there for some time.. maybe 2 months maybe a few years, but it can be gone without a day's notice. my trucker friends, after being on dedicated for over 8 years, found out 1 week before turkey day one year that they lost the dedicated run to eastern transportation who cut the rates, hauled for maybe 2 months, then quit the run. drivers where told about the loss run while they were waiting to be loaded. so I guess you could say they got a 5 min notice. that their pay was gone. almost all of the dedicated drivers went out of the trucking business, & not just out but bankrupt out.

I had a few great loads over the years. none of them ever lasted long. I treat every paycheck like it is my last. good luck on finding good freight. this time of year it is hard. if you get in with a shipper, when they need you & you are dependable, you build up a reputation, which takes time & you have a better chance of being called to move their freight.