Dedicated International Paper?

As some of you may already know from other posts, I've been gearing up to go with SNI Bulk for a while now. As predicted by members here, Schneider closed the door on new drivers about 2 weeks ago now that winter is upon us. My recruiter told me that I can transfer to Bulk after 6 months once I get the new driver manager. Not sure how easy that is to do but that's what I was told.

Anyhow, I had my match meeting and asked for info on OTR, International Paper account, and Lightweight Solutions since those were pretty much all that were available for new guys here in NJ. There was a daily position hauling pallets for CHEP but that didn't seem like it would pay much in the end and I didn't inquire about it but maybe I should have now that I think about it. Lightweight solutions wasn't too appealing with no passenger seat and super singles. I'm sure other areas of the truck were sacrificed as well that she didn't tell me about but that and the low avg. miles I said no. The average advertised pay was much higher but I didn't see how I could rack up much mileage only running through ME, PA, CT, NY, NJ.

So I narrowed it down to OTR and the International Paper account and am leaning towards IP. Home time is better and the difference in avg. mileage wasn't much. So SNI says...
I keep going back and forth between that and OTR. From what I have gathered on here, more money means less home time and vice versa so the numbers that SNI are giving me don't really add up with this dedicated run paying more per year. Obviously I'm not going to be making much in my first year and the experience and safe record are the priority but I feel funny making a choice without some real world info. I haven't found much about this account online and don't want to jump in head first with only what SNI claims about it.

I'm trying to plan short, medium, and long term just in case the transition to Bulk after 6 months isn't as easy to do as they say it is. If there is no problem in switching, then none of this probably matters much as long as I get the experience somewhere.

Thanks for reading my essay. As always, any real driver info, tips, etc. are greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks everyone. Always good info here. I'm officially signed up for the Dedicated IP account. The pay is what it is. It doesnt bump up every few months like the other positions. Starting at .33 and at 6 months it jumps to .37. $50 to enter NYC (Hopefully, not too often but it is what it is) SNI says average miles is 2400 but I'll just have to wait and see on that. I know it's going to take a little time to get in the groove and figure out how to run making the best use of my HOS and dealing with break downs and stuff like that.

As mentioned above, I do get a $3,500 sign on/retention bonus and my school reimbursement. Home time is weekly for my 34 hour restart and SNI is finding a place for me to park the truck/trailer near my house. I don't necessarily need to be home every week though. The earliest they will let me start orientation is Dec. 29th because of Christmas but I'm excited to start and learn how to really drive a truck. Not just how to pass the road test like they teach in school. I'll keep you guys posted on how it goes.

 

I will keep Intermodal in mind once I get some experience in. I haven't really looked into that side of trucking much yet. Plenty of work here in NJ for it from what I can see.

 

@tman423 Thank you, that is exactly the kind of info I was looking for and I'm glad to hear that the average miles is about what they advertise. Also, about how often are you sent to NYC? Obviously not everyones experiences are the same but Im just curious. And about I-80, my house is roughly 10 miles from exit 34 on 80 so I don't think they will have too much trouble finding me a spot to park. Easy access to 80 and 287 from there.

I have my drug test for SNI tomorrow, then have my road test next friday, and I'll head out for Carlisle on the 28th. It'll be a real hectic month or two but I'm very excited to get this show on the road finally.