Dedicated

As a person who hasn't even started CDL school yet (I will on 1/25/16 though!) a dedicated route sounds pretty good. Being a new driver and having predictable routes (and pay) may aid in getting comfortable with the career change - for me at least.

 

Here's something you may want to keep in mind though, if you get on with a starter company and get a dedicated route straight out of the gate, that may be because no one else wanted that route. Maybe the shippers/receivers make you wait forever, whatever. It may just suck. Better companies aren't likely to give you a dedicated route when you first start, although it could happen.

Also, diving into the whole OTR thing feet first may simply be better down the road when it comes to experience, you learn how to plan routes and such when you first start, it's one more thing not to worry about later.

 

Some need to "see the country", and some don't care to stray far from home. Can't fault either preference. But I think most are well served by seeing all the nooks and crannies, [during all the various seasons] of this great nation while and when they can, and getting paid to do so, is not bad either.

 

Yeah, getting a crap route may be an issue - I'd want to investigate it as best as possible first if that's an option.

 

Yes and keep in mind I'm not saying don't do it, just be aware of the possible issues going in.

 

I did dollar dedicated for 4 months. It was ok. Good money. But the stores from Christmas eve until I left got real bad and short staffed. Real bad. Like standing in a trailer in -8° weather for 11 hrs in northern maine.
Now I'm running otr. I started wed. I'm down to 14 hrs left on my 70. I started 3am Sunday in Mount Washington NH. I'm in South Carolina.
One 10 hr break. 1150 miles in 19.5 hrs.
I like it better.