Superior Carriers, my experience.

Thanks for continuing to update this thread, I'm learning a lot by following you and
@SurfBaker.

So are you considered regional or OTR at this point? How many days are you out typically vs home time?

 

I second what MYSTYKRACER said, I really enjoy keeping up with all of you and your adventures. If I can ever get out of this automotive business I've been stuck in the last 18 years I hope to get back on the road and be one of you guys.

 

I'm considered regional. Most drivers out of Chicago (Markham terminal) are regional and most of our runs are dedicated. Nobody is really assigned a specific run, I run all of our dedicated stuff. Just depends what works with your schedule. I got home Monday 5am and I'm going out today at 17:30. I got a reset in. I'm heading to North Carolina on a dedicated. It's my favorite run, a drop and hook. I'm literally there 30 minutes turn around and come home. I'm out for for 2 10-hour resets in this run, so two and a half days (I drive at night and sleep during the day).

I like this run because I can relax and use my whole 14 if I need. I usually stop and get the truck washed, etc. Most of our runs are 1 night out, 1 night home so a bit faster paced. I do a run usually every week that is 500 miles. I find that more stressful cuz I just want to get there, deliver, take my 10 hr break, and get home. I find when I get there I'm not tired yet, and it takes me a while to fall sleep and I don't get enough sleep cuz I want to leave and get home. I think regional is more stressful than being a road driver. I'm usually loading anywhere from 5pm-5am and driving at night and trying to sleep during the day, flip it and get home. Most of our road drivers I talk to stop by 5pm, get a good rest and head out early the next day. Our schedule isn't that loose. On that 500 mile run I do weekly, we usually only have 12 hours from when we leave the shipper to get to the customer. 500 miles, governed at 65 mph, is a bit over 8 hours loaded, so you have to take a 30 minute break. I may stop at a WalMart or Chipotle on my way to customer but there's not much time for anything else. Maybe a truck wash if it's the middle of the night, but I usually save that for my North Carolina run.

I'll update tomorrow how my first 6 months solo have gone down. I've done about 7 air offs/pump offs. Got get to prepping some food for this run so I can hit the road

 

To be honest, although I'm out of High Point, Regional(since it seems OTR has become that within the past 2 years. I've heard this is due to us losing alot of drivers not being home? Like I said, 'heard'.) really isn't all that bad! I enojy it. You get ALOT of layover pay, so even if you sit for a few extra hours, you get paid for it. Plus, I really enjoy seeing different places. Which is what is keeping me here and not going back to LTL, yet(that's another story...and nothing against this company at all). But, I did run into an O/O this morning(we both loaded side by side at Plaqumine, LA) and she was with Dana. She left out of here back in February and was out of Morrow. Said she was here for 3 years and had a story, similar to mine, although she went the O/O route here, and is one there....I guess it's true that freight really has been down last year and this year. I've seen people post about what O/O make here and she said it's 62% of the load(to clear that up for O/O reading this), which she was surprised, is the same that Dana pays. But, back to your run to Raeford(done it 2-3 times). Do you take 40 to US 421 south to US15/501? Just curious, as I found(since you say you're driving at night) that taking 40-74-US220S-21-15/501 is actually quicker! That's pretty much how all the High Point guys go there. I think it's about 20 miles shorter.

 

Thanks for the good info! So how much difference is there between what you regional folks make in terms of miles / pay and the OTR "system" drivers? I've read the system drivers are usually out 10 - 12 day stretches at a time?

 

well....I am a 'system driver'. And yes, I am out for about 2 weeks. Some guys stay out for a month or so. If I go way out west I plan on being out for about 2 and a half weeks. But, as I mentioned earlier, it seems system has become more regional than anything. I've been going on right over 3 years here, first year I was running out west....now, the past 2 years, I can't go out there to save my life. I've run into ALOT of guys that have been saying there's just no freight this year, or last year. I've been doing more dedicated stuff this year and last year, as opposed to 'system'. I think I've done system about 4-5 times this year...and about 5-6 times last year.

 

Being local/regional and dedicated, my pay isn't always based on mileage. Last week I drove about 2700, was local one day (hourly) and had 22 detention sitting at a customer (mileage run). I just checked my pay for tomorrow and grossed a little over 2k for the week. I think it's my 2nd highest check in my 6 months out here. That was a 7 day week, pretty much; I usually work 5-6 days. When it's not slow I take home a 950-1300 a week. Around the holiday weeks (when plants may be closed) I was grossing approx 1k a week for a 3 week period, take home 800-950. It fluctuates on what you do. If I go to NC and Missouri each week (2 dedicated runs I see a lot) I gross 1200~ (fluctuates if I get detention, etc). My year-to-date so far is $47,500. Not shabby for a new driver, solo 6 months

I'm taking my 10 at an outlet mall so I'm out of here...got some retail therapy to do. I'll check in tomorrow with my 6 month update (I'll be home later tonight)

 

Thanks for sharing your experience! I had been a bit skeptical about the quoted earnings figures for even first year drivers as so much recruiter bs, but it does seem like you're on track to get there and then some! That's nice to know for someone who's looking to get on w/ Superior hopefully at the beginning of next year ( I'll finish CDL school mid-December ). Hopefully they're still hiring at that time.

Curious if either of you have been through the Pasadena, TX terminal and what you thought of the place? I live in Houston so if I'm able to get on w/ Superior that would be my home terminal.

 

heads up, Patsy! You best NOT stay at a mall outlet, walmart, etc....that is actually AGAINST Company Policy! I would 'edit' where you stay at! Our company only allows you to stay at Truckstop/rest area/weigh stations/customers....you are NOT allowed to stay at a walwart, etc. Be careful, there are ALOT of 'snitches' out there that would be happy to say something, only to make them 'feel the upper hand' only to find out, they are losers. But seriously, my trainer said we are NOT allowed to stay at mall outlets, walmarts, on/off ramps, etc. Only place that IS allowed is a hotel with truck parking, and that's on a 34.

 

HA! Was just down in Pasadena about 2 weeks back! Only thing I can say about there is, I only get there every 6-7 months or so. First year, I was there very often! haha I know they do more of everything(west/east/midwest) than most terminals. The old dispatchers was AWESOME! He went back to driving, and is a really good guy! The new dispatcher has given me some good runs....but, I've never gotten anything bad out of there. However, there was a guy, on the company thread, saying he wasn't doing much this year, either, there. Freight has been down, system-wise......so like Patsy, I've been doing my fair share of everything(dedicated/regional/system). As far as 'pay goes' her pay is right there where mine is, this year. It's all in how hard you drive and where you know you'll get parking at. My pay was slightly lower last year than this year and my first year, as I was willing to run, but wasn't being run alot. However, since HP got a new dispatcher, I'm being run hard again, which is very good for me(I've also saved a few loads for some terminals, so kudos have helped...can I just go OUT WEST NOW?!?!?! lol)....got alot of 'life' left in me to work! haha