Guaranteed Weekly Minimums for Company Drivers

Sounds like a good gig TruckDuo. How long were you with USX before snagging that dedicated slot?

I'm with Swift and run guaranteed 5K per week, coast to coast LA to anywhere from Boston to Miami and back and points in between. Light loads of clothes and related retail products, typically 5K to 30K in the box. Team driving but no hazmat required. Mostly drop and hook, some live loads.

For this dedicated gig I was solo OTR for about six months with almost 100% on time (about 99.5%) and averaging 2500 miles per week. Based on performance I was invited when an opening on this account came up. Gross about $1000 per week.

I think good dedicated accounts can be had at any of the starter companies, but normally I think they go to someone that's got a good track record. Haven't heard of anyone getting right into a dedicated slot as a complete rookie. You gotta start letting your dispatcher aka driver manager know you want on a dedicated account. When openings come up you may get invited or be allowed/asked to apply. Some customers have minimum driver requirements.

 

Anyone can get on these dedicated accounts. With 100% turnover in this industry.... these companies aren't picky.

I tell anyone who will listen that in order to make $1,000 - $1,500 net every week they gotta get on a dedicated account. You gotta find the person in the company who is in charge of these accounts to know what your options are. Some even get you home weekly & I'm not talking about Family Dollar and the rest of the Dollar boys.

 

TruckDuo, you are 100% correct.

I think the moral of the story for all new drivers is when asking questions of your recruiter make SURE you understand whether they are offering frequent home time, guaranteed miles, etc. when you FIRST finish training OR whether you will be expected to run a few months solo OTR before you qualify for these kind of situations.

For example, it would seem that when most recruiters are asked, "Can I have weekly home time?", they are likely to respond, "Absolutely!" What they AREN'T telling you is that weekly home time IS available IF you are on one of the dedicated accounts that gets you home every week. Same thing would apply for any question like that, whether it is guaranteed income, guaranteed miles, etc. etc.