Indian River

Throughout the life of this thread, I’ve always tried to avoid discussing pay/money. The discussion has been had a few times over the years, but I typically try to refrain from it. The reason being, if I post what the current pay is right now and it eventually gets raised (as it has been several times in the 6+ years I’ve worked here) the post today would no longer be accurate in the future. 10 months from now, a new forum member could stroll across this thread, fail to read the entire thing, and end up walking away with incorrect/outdated information. For that reason, I would direct your question regarding pay to the recruiting department in Winter Haven, FL. I don’t mean to sound uptight when I say that, and hopefully my explanation for why I don’t care to answer that on a public forum is understandable.

 

For the ones asking about regional vs OTR and the NE, I would encourage you to take whatever classification is available at the time you choose to apply. If you’re wanting to be a regional driver and the recruiter tells you they only have OTR positions available, I would jump onboard and get your foot in the door if you feel like IRT is the place you want to be. Once you’re here and have established yourself, you can always ask for a classification change later down the road. They have and will do that for people. It probably sounds odd to say this considering how many drivers we have, but IRT will get to know you, your style, your preferences, etc. It will get to the point where dispatch won’t even ask what your truck number is when you call in, they’ll have it memorized. They will end up learning what particular areas you prefer running in, and if you keep a good attitude and have good work ethics they will accommodate you.

The driver I brought over here from a previous company originally hired on as OTR out of the Clovis terminal. His first load was from Clovis to HEB in San Antonio. His second load was from Hartley, TX to Hutchinson, KS. When he got empty he called Clovis and asked “Can I stay on this run?” and expressed that he enjoyed it and lived nearby in Ponca City, OK. He’s been on that dedicated route ever since then and never even ran the system like he had originally hired on to do and was expecting. His 6 year anniversary was last month.

Point being, don’t let the OTR/Regional title spook you away. Every time I get under the California dispatch umbrella I always ask if they have anything going to Washington or if they’re busy enough to use me on their side of the country for a week or two. As long as it’s busy enough to where I’m not taking away a piece of the pie from their regional drivers, they usually accommodate. Redtwin has obviously had the same experience with his preferences as well.

 

I don’t think we have that one anymore, but you could call the Clovis, NM terminal direct and ask them to know for sure. That account was/is under their dispatch umbrella, so the dispatchers in that office would be able to tell you. As an OTR driver, I rarely see the Clovis terminal, but I think they have other loads that go back and forth to the Dallas/Fort Worth area that might work for you too if HEB isn’t in the mix anymore. It would be worth calling and picking their brain. There used to be a guy named Craig who dispatched there. I think he still does. He’s super knowledgeable about all of their regular loads and has worked here for many years. I’d try to call and visit with him to see what all they have now.

 

Glad to hear that! I can’t say I blame you. Throwing tarps and strapping loads down isn’t something that ever interested me. Being a tanker yanker is easy money.