Need to drive nights

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by ruudhompsor, Jun 14, 2024.

  1. ruudhompsor

    ruudhompsor Light Load Member

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    I've been an OO the past 6 years, able to pick my own loads, control my schedule 100%. I drive nights as i need to have my mornings (8am-noon) freed up. I'm thinking of eventually going company and am wondering if there's certain companies that are more accommodating to a driver who has to drive nights. I drive OTR, stay out on the road about 42 weeks/year. Any advice re: this? TIA
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2024
    Reason for edit: Clarify
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  3. Opus

    Opus Road Train Member

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    LTL companies.....linehaul. Pay is outstanding, and you drive at night.
     
  4. ruudhompsor

    ruudhompsor Light Load Member

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    Would prefer OTR but might consider LTL.
     
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  5. bryan21384

    bryan21384 Road Train Member

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    Any reefer outfit with meat customers and delivers to grocery warehouses all the time. I talked a driver once who left Navajo because he couldn't handle night driving.
     
  6. dave01282000

    dave01282000 Medium Load Member

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    Reefer is indeed a good business if you like running nights. Detention can be a factor however, and could be tough to have a set time freed up every day.
     
    Lyle H, Rideandrepair and ruudhompsor Thank this.
  7. Knightcrawler

    Knightcrawler Road Train Member

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    Opus is correct. LTL linehaul runs at night (I worked for various companies for a combined 20+ years). Some companies you run from here to there, work the dock and then run home. Some you run here to there, meet another driver, swap wagons and run home. Others you go out for a week at a time.

    Estes is one such company. I worked there 2+ years before I bought my own and if I ever sold it I would likely go back. I have been to 73 of their yards from Salt Lake City to Harrisburg PA. From Buffalo NY to Temple TX. You are out 5 days (not always M-F I worked Tue- Sat) and home 2. I liked it because I would get home Sun AM and not leave again until Tue night, so really its like having 3 days off... They put you up in motels. Some of them are pretty good, others are terrible (Chicago) but over all, I liked it. Linehaul at Estes doesnt work the dock. Hook and book...
     
  8. Lazer

    Lazer Road Train Member

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    Keep in mind, most nighttime LTL shifts are close to 11 or 12 hours. If you are used to starting at midnight, you more than likely will not clock out before 10 or 11 the next morning. Most LTL companies will run your 60 or close to 70 hours in 5 or 5 1/2 days(or nites).
     
  9. ruudhompsor

    ruudhompsor Light Load Member

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    Off by 8am? That part is a must have for my situation. Thank you for the great info!
     
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  10. ruudhompsor

    ruudhompsor Light Load Member

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    Yeah, that's a deal breaker for me. I need to have 8am to noon freed up.
     
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  11. ducnut

    ducnut Road Train Member

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    Wherever you live, you need to see who all is located around there. Research them. Then, go find out who the transportation manager is. Once you have a name, you can call them and ask to speak to that person. Once you establish that contact and put in your online application, that person can be looking for it.

    UPS is going to be your best option, of anyone. No one pays better or has a better benefit package.

    If you have a Dot Foods around you, they’d gladly take you on for nights. However, inward facing AI camera is a huge negative. $100K+ a year. Great benefit package.

    Where I live, all the LTL companies can have you on the road by 8pm and off by 8am.
     
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