Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

Got the prelim report from the doc this afternoon. Looks like surgery is inevitable I have fractured two vert, 1 herinated disc and 1 ruptured disc. Will get final details from the doc tomorrow at my appt.

1bad will be home tonight to go with me so that is good.

 

Jess and JJ,

Sorry to hear about the bad news. It is very unfortunate that things happen to a good driver.

KH

 

So I got a phone call today from Steve Haggard at Central, he wants me to join his dedicated fleet running Breyer's yogurt from North Lawrence, NY to Shippensburg, PA. He said I won't get as many miles as OTR, but his drivers are home anywhere between once a week to every other day, which would be nice. I was initially flattered and interested in the offer, being that I've been solo for less than a week lol. But the more I thought about it, I'm doing this partially to see the country, and running back and forth from NY to PA isn't really going to do that for me, not to mention I would probably go nuts after about a month of that. My other issue is I really like my current DM so far, Eric E., out of WVC, and I don't want to give up a good DM. Any thoughts on those guys or the dedicated gig?

Just got off the phone with him after talking some details:
37 CPM
2600 mile 5 day average (busy now though due to New Year's weight loss resolutions, not making this stuff up!)
9 truck fleet that is a pretty tight ship (idle time, mpg, trailer maintenance, etc.)
The fleet is beta testing those trailer skirt things for Central
Basically weekday work

It sounds like a sweet gig but I'm not going to see much of the country and I don't know how everyone likes Steve. He seems cool but he's trying to get me on his fleet right now. Eric E. has been real cool but I've been solo less than a week! He said I can try it out for a month and if I don't like it just go back to OTR, I'm hoping with Eric. The other thing is I'm guaranteed a heck of a winter for a rookie going into upstate NY every day but it does get me out of Wyoming, Kansas, etc. What do you all think?

 

bb,

Take any dedicated run you can get. Very few drivers with your experience get a chance right away.

KH

 

I am confused...as you might be too. You don't want Wyoming, Kansas etc, but you want to see the country. You don't necessarily want the NE dedicated ( If there is something like that in the NW...I am on it).

Where do you want to "see the country"?

 

Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to the often horrendous winter driving conditions specifically in those states.

 

The problem I see bbechtel, is that you will not be OTR.
If you apply to another company later they will look at that as local to regional. Most likely regional.
I would get 6 months OTR first. Run your rear off.
Then after the 6 months if you want that dedicated you can talk to him and tell him you will take the next open spot.
May take a month or so, but normally with those spots someone will screw up and get a delivery late due to being home too long.
You need the full OTR, heck even 4 months would help, but most company's want at least 6.
So do your 6 months OTR, then your dedicated. At least then if something does happen and you have to leave Central you will have the experience.

Good a good load after delivery today. 900 miles to Carlisle and will drop whenever I happen to get there. So I will burn tomorrow and deliver the next day by noon.
Then I should have a run home......I hope.
At TA in Forestel MO tonight. Planned to head to J in Pontoon Beach IL. But did not want to hit the evening rush traffic in St. Louis.
Figure I can be out of here early and miss it tomorrow.

 

Good luck lake dweller, I am scheduled to be there on the 1st of Feb. Widow I will keep you in my prayers. Thanks to all on this thread for the great info and support.

 

That's exactly what I was going to say. While I would absolutely LOVE being home that often...most, if not all companies, want AT LEAST 6 mos OTR. On the flip, .$37 with 2600/wk...that's a decent pay check. Assuming it stays in business...you may not need to look at other companies like those of us making .28.

 

i cannot wait until i will be able to go to the school. Currently i need to pay off my car payment and gather enough money to go to school. I think that that way i will be a little more prepared for the not so great checks that you get in the beginning. Widow, I really hope that everything goes well for you, I will keep you in my prayers. Also i will be able to call 1bad on thursday, just pm me and let me know what time would be best. For me, it would be best between 3 and 8. just let me know.