Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Everything going to regional? What do you think?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JustSonny, Nov 4, 2009.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Nov 4, 2009 #1
    JustSonny

    JustSonny Big Dummy

    6,038
    5,785
    Oct 22, 2009
    Troutman NC
    0
    I just read a post asserting that many/most companies will be moving toward a more regional base of operating. That, if true, is a little bit disheartening for this wannabe though not disheartening to discolor my decision to get into trucking. I'm curious what others of you might think.

    I have to believe that companies, at least the larger ones, have periodic reviews of their drivers' performance. If they do, and if they have enough drivers, then the reviews could be more objective than subjective. At least I think so. Also, there should be plenty of criteria for evaluating a driver's performance based on his/her value per mile. Any discussion?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 4, 2009
    JustSonny, Nov 4, 2009
    JustSonny, Nov 4, 2009
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Nov 4, 2009 #2
    jtrnr1951

    jtrnr1951 Road Train Member

    3,466
    1,249
    Jul 20, 2009
    Standing in the corner, timed out
    0
    It's been coming for years, many companies do it already. That way hometime increases, but wages may decrease !!
     
    jtrnr1951, Nov 4, 2009
    jtrnr1951, Nov 4, 2009
    #2
    JustSonny Thanks this.
  4. Nov 4, 2009 #3
    kwray

    kwray Medium Load Member

    550
    280
    Jun 14, 2009
    Pennsylvania
    0
    Jt's right. Its been coming for several years but there will always be a few companies that run coast to coast. Myself, I'd rather be home more even if it means making somewhat less.
     
    kwray, Nov 4, 2009
    kwray, Nov 4, 2009
    #3
    JustSonny Thanks this.
  5. Nov 4, 2009 #4
    jtrnr1951

    jtrnr1951 Road Train Member

    3,466
    1,249
    Jul 20, 2009
    Standing in the corner, timed out
    0
    kw, I believe most drivers will agree with you. I see produce and a few other things staying as cross-country freight. I hope anyway, cause that's what I prefer.
     
    jtrnr1951, Nov 4, 2009
    jtrnr1951, Nov 4, 2009
    #4
    JustSonny Thanks this.
  7. Nov 4, 2009 #5
    Everett

    Everett Crusty Shorts, What???

    2,095
    6,401
    Oct 20, 2009
    Hampton,Ia
    0
    Myself i like being out, i guess if you family or not, thats what i base hometime on, next would just get away from truck -terminal ect, but i like too be out and about so being out works for me, now im dev en single as bird as they fly above:biggrin_2559: so whatever works for one driver may not for the other, Everett.
     
    Everett, Nov 4, 2009
    Everett, Nov 4, 2009
    #5
    JustSonny Thanks this.
  8. Nov 4, 2009 #6
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,676
    12,237
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Trucking/transportation is an ever evolving business. Anything the companies can do to increase profit, they will do. It is "dog eat dog". Shippers are demanding and the truck companies have to abide to stay competive. Prime inc. out of Springfield, Mo. is buying trailers with 30 gal. fuel tanks to save weight. They are also running power units for solo's with small sleepers and even no jump seat to save weight. CRST has 3 man teams operating. The rails are carrying more truck trailers than ever. This from an organization that fought so hard in the 80's to keep truck weights down at 73,280 lbs in the midwest states. In the 21st century, everything is fast, fast, fast. So, whoever is smart and quick thinking, will stay on top.
     
    Allow Me., Nov 4, 2009
    Allow Me., Nov 4, 2009
    #6
    JustSonny and Beechvtail Thank this.
  9. Nov 4, 2009 #7
    JustSonny

    JustSonny Big Dummy

    6,038
    5,785
    Oct 22, 2009
    Troutman NC
    0
    Hey AM,
    At age 55 (will be 56 next month), I'm hoping that the evolution to more regionalized routing, if it happens, will hold off for a few years. I intend to work as a trucker for the rest of my working life (God willing) and I sure do want to capitalize on the cross-country aspect of the job. I want to do it regardless because I believe that when I do retire, I will be able to look back at my last 10 - 15 years OTR and say "Yeah, I can be proud of what I did". I'm not getting all smaltzy I just want to cap off my time as a worker with something a little more exciting than the 9 - 5 grind!
     
    JustSonny, Nov 4, 2009
    JustSonny, Nov 4, 2009
    #7
  10. Nov 4, 2009 #8
    Palazon

    Palazon Road Train Member

    1,430
    912
    Feb 5, 2009
    Tacoma, WA
    0
    " more exciting than the 9 - 5 grind!"

    I agree that staying the same region can get boring, however I've never seen "9-5"...lol.

    I've been regional heavy haul for Swift dedicated to a company that rymes with Moscow... for 1.75 years now. Basic pattern is out 6 days (burning up 60hrs plus), home on Sat for a 34 and take off Sunday night or Monday day (depending on what time you get back Sat) to start it over again. The only time off I've seen is a 34 and the occasional (IE once every 2 months) extra day off. :biggrin_25521:
     
    Palazon, Nov 4, 2009
    Palazon, Nov 4, 2009
    #8
    JustSonny Thanks this.
  11. Nov 4, 2009 #9
    layndretti_13

    layndretti_13 Bobtail Member

    14
    1
    Nov 4, 2009
    0
    Most of these jobs might be headed regional is like saying the airline companies are going regional. As long as there are drivers ready for the Long Hauls its open season.....
     
    layndretti_13, Nov 4, 2009
    layndretti_13, Nov 4, 2009
    #9
    JustSonny Thanks this.
  12. Nov 7, 2009 #10
    Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

    2,092
    3,056
    Sep 21, 2009
    Sorrento, Louisiana
    0
    I think trucking in general will revert somewhat to what it was in the "old days". Company owned trucks will run regional from central points, including ports and rail terminuses, terminal to terminal turnarounds, etc, etc. Long-haul or specialized loads will go by O/O or specialized carriers.

    To be honest, I've never really seen the sense of running huge fleets all over North America and keeping trucks and drivers out there for weeks on end. I would guess that every one of these OTR fleets have 30 to 40% of their trucks sitting idle at any given point of every day. That's a whole batch of money doing nothing but piling up expenses. Getting harder all the time to find drivers willing to commit most of their life living in a truck too.

    Of course, with the "progressives" expanding govt control, all is up for grabs anyways.
     
    Kittyfoot, Nov 7, 2009
    Kittyfoot, Nov 7, 2009
    #10
    JustSonny Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2