I have not contacted them yet. I'm waiting for my DAC report to come back just to be sure there are no surprises. I will probably start getting serious in about 1-3 weeks from now. If you learn anything in the mean time though, let me know! We may wind up in the same training class.

Good and informative posts, Danc. I have a few questions for you, if I may.....

How busy is W/S in the Pittsburgh region, out of their Youngstown OH terminal ? What kind of average weekly miles can one expect from there ? What kind of hometime can one expect ? Do they run primarily due east or west from Youngstown ?

Thanks in advance.

this depends quite a bit.

van OTR drivers should do pretty well i'd think (ie, 2500 to 3000 miles/week). i only got to youngstown a couple of times pulling a van, and the freight that got me there came out of dalton, ga. dalton is one of the busier terminals and there is usually quite a bit of freight, although it may have slowed down somewhat with the housing market problems. there is also a lot of freight that comes out of sayreville, nj.

if you want to run flatbed, most of the freight runs along the i-80 corridor, so you should have no problems there.

i have no idea what the local van mileage/work/pay would be.

I have to go along with dagood. You can expect at least 2500 miles a week. More if you want them, but that requires more time out also. As an OTR driver, your milage will vary depending on the area you are located in when empty.

Hometime might be an issue for some. 1 day home for every 7 out.

Regional/LTL ...

Most of the terminals work the same, with a few differances. You get sent out, and you'll run a loop. From Youngstown, you may go to Sayrevile, NJ then to Atlanta to Detroit, then across. Or you may do 2 turns to Dalton and back in a week. It all depends on the freight that's availible.

Some weeks you will get home the same week, others will need 14 days out. But, Youngstown should be simple. Someone from Dalton, Hickory, or
Myrtle will have a load going that way.

As of today, our terminal (Myrtle) has 3 loads going that direction. They don't final in Youngstown. But reasonably close.

One thing you will find out. Each terminal is differant. And, how often a regional driver gets by the house is differant. Sometimes I am home during the week. Other times, I spend a full 6-12 days out. It depends on the terminal, the freight, and your fleet manager. I would say I am home 98% of weekends.

I've spoken with regional drivers from Detroit and Youngstown. Detroit drivers usually stay out 14 days. Youngstown can be 7-14.

__________________
Insuring polititions fear that
which goes bump in the night.
Seek out their personal homes
and family members. -- SU 83
__________________

I applied with Watkins &Shepard lsat week and they haven't gotten back to me yet, or said anything about my application. Can anyone tell me how long they take to at least get back to me about the status of my app.?? Shawn was assigned as my recruiter, but he hasn't said anything in 3 days. Any input will be greatly appreciated!

Shawn is generally pretty good about getting back with someone. He does have a lot of things to do though. Give him a full week.

I would do a follow up, with any company.

I won't name any names. But some clown called them (W&S) after I applied and was accepted, and told them I had accepted other employment. Had I simply waited for the call about my physical, it would have never happened.

It set me back a week. But, I got the job.

__________________
Insuring polititions fear that
which goes bump in the night.
Seek out their personal homes
and family members. -- SU 83
__________________

thanks, dnac69. I appreciate your getting back to me! I will do a follow up on Monday for sure. Thanks again!!

Hey Danc;
I will be training in Missoula in Nov. and working out of the Dalton GA. terminal. How are the miles out of Dalton looking lately?

Can't wait to get out there and start training. I'll be running from the Detroit (Taylor) terminal OTR.

Waiting for Oct. 20.....

Dalton as a regional or local driving job has taken a hard hit. Namely due to excessive cut backs made by their terminal manager, in my opinion. Be advised, thats my opinion only. I'm sure some of the cut backs were necessary...I just thought many were excessive.

OTR will not be an issue.

Look for a bit of trouble getting home on a "scheduled" basis. In other words...plan your hometime as best you can. If you have a specific date you need to be there....tell them well in advance...and remind them weekly, if not every other day. The Detroit area is depressed as a freight market.

__________________
Insuring polititions fear that
which goes bump in the night.
Seek out their personal homes
and family members. -- SU 83
__________________