I dont get it

It does not work like that, never has. You are new to all of this, it ain't a 9 to 5 job. You go where the freight is. If freight does not go by your house, you don't get home. And if I had a nickel for every time I drove by my own exit and didn't get there, I would not be here. And I own the truck!

Mike

 

I drive regional . We have dedicated runs . Some are in a 300 mile radius and the driver is out and back the same day . The majority of the loads are 450 - 500 miles one way . The driver leaves one day and delivers and is home the next day . We have some longer , 3 day runs but we get every restart at home . I live 10 minutes from the terminal . Most loads are preloaded and brought to the terminal . Most empty trailers are brought back to the terminal or spotted at the shipper for reloading .

 

It depends on where you live and how close you are to the terminal. Right now in the Youngstown and Cleveland area it is hit and miss. The two major steel mills in Cleveland are down right now.

As far as what you were told, you won't know if it was true until you get on the job. Freight is slow right now. Slower than it has ever been in my LIFETIME. Flats are hurting, very little work. And what is there in many cases... Well, you won't have to worry about that... That is the O/Op in me talking...

It is beyond slow right now. So yes, you will probably be home ALLOT, and not making any money. But at least you will be home.

Mike

 

The van freight ain't much better. And I would have been retired from the service by now. Kinda wished I would have stayed. It was easier than trucking, and not quite as dangerous. Just wait...

Sad to say, but it was much safer in the military than it is out here on the road. At least I had someone watching my back.

Mike

 

Waterloo ain't kidding in the slightest. I have been with my company for 7 years, have a great relationship with them and have no complaints. I will have been out for 5 weeks by the time I get home after this trip. No fault of dispatch. I was looking for two weeks out. Weather and slow freight have kept me out. Thankfully I have gotten good miles and that makes it ok by me. If I am not going to be home I want to make money while I am gone. It is as simple as that, if the freight doesn't go home neither do you. No matter how much experience or seniority you have.

BTW I pull dry van and refer with this company and have been pulling the same refer for the last month.

 

What have you heard about flatbed? I allways heard worse about dry van.

 

dry van would be the way to go if you like sitting and waiting. flat bed is the way to go if you want to be home every weekend.