home time dedicated route?

That all depends upon the run and where you live in relationship to that run. If they are dedicated out of a specific location running freight out from that location, you might be gone a few days at a time or all week...but you'll eventually return to get your next load. Typically, a dedicated run services a single customer...either bringing freight in to their facility, or shipping it out....or sometimes shuttling between different locations that single customer may have.

A couple months into my truck driving career I landed a dedicated run that had me home 4 nights per week, and never out more than a night or two at a time. I'd head out & spend the night, make my 5 stops, and go back to the house. Then I'd head down to to the other end, take a break, make my 2 stops, and head back to the house. It was nice, because I lived in the middle of the run. Had I been on either end, I would have been out 3-4 nights at a time.

 

Am I to understand you're beginning work for a Schneider to haul for Walmart general merchandise DC (hauling to the stores)? ... in the summer? When/where have they began doing this? I know they contract their grocery hauling out and contract their dry hauling out during peak seasons but this is the first I've heard about walmart contracting their routine store deliveries unless Schneider is putting you on a dedicated run INBOUND from some supplier (such as water) to the Walmart DC.

 

Hey Ben...I know the gig your talking about. I had a friend who ran out of Wintersville and it was 6 days on and 2 off. You would primarily run overnight and your home time usually ended up having only 1 full day at home and 2 half days. But it is 100% no touch freight which is a bonus. Just back in and let them unload it. He was from Washington, PA but they usually kept him out in Ohio. He'd very rarely come to western PA or WV. He didn't mind it overall though. I'm actually thinking of applying for this position also.

One piece of advice I can offer you is that you mentioned your looking for a driving school in Pittsburgh. Feel free to make your own choice but I do not recommend PIA (Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics) Truck Driving Program. It is not a very well rounded program. I am from Pittsburgh and I know choices are limited around here but keep that in mind. If ya need any other advice, I'd be glad to help ya out as best I can!

Best of luck!!