Operating fleets

If that's a crazy question, I must be a lunatic. I live in the North East, if I could run just the Western 11 I would in happy. However to your point, other than a couple of dedicated fleets, Kraft and Perdue come to.mind, that are account specific, we do not have any geographical fleets that I am aware of.

I believe the stated company policy is over 5 days and they will reassign your tractor. I may be wrong on that one.

 

Stevens has both dedicated fleets such as Kraft or Perdue as well as dedicated lanes and regional drivers.
All drivers start out the same way: A company driver for all 48 states.
After gaining some experience, and opportunity availing itself, you may request and be assigned to a dedicated fleet such as Perdue.
The rules vary according to the fleet and are pretty much run by that single fleet DM. You basically run between those fleet shipping/receiving points and will haul other freight under very limited circumstances.
You can request to become a regional driver and stay in a certain region (most of the time). It doesn't matter where you live.
An example is drivers that drive the eastern seaboard, or drivers that run the southeast, or midwest. Once they prove their ability and willingness to take ANY load in a certain area, they're pretty much set.
An example is the midwest. Danny Doakes is the planner for that area and has several drivers that are assigned to him. He is their DM. Other than running to Dallas occaisionally, those drivers virtually never leave the upper midwest.

 

Not for a new driver at Stevens. Most of the training is done in the 11 Western states. Not to many mountains in Florida.
I can't think of any reason why a person would not want to drive in the west. Less congestion and beautiful scenery.

 

Generally speaking a driver gets the most miles when they run the 11 western states. Just a lot of geography to cover between points.
Average run for a solo if you load in CA is 1600+ miles.
Average run for a solo if you load in PA is 700+ miles.
Makes the pain of an extra day to load that three pick produce a little easier to take.
And...virutally no tolls for you contractors!

 

For me the issue is getting to the Western 11... seems as soon as I do its right back to the Northeast/Midwest Loop I hate so much.

 

A situation like this would need to be disclosed on an application. It would then become a reason to be denied employment.
If it were not disclosed and then you brought it up after employment, it would be cause for termination.
As an example, would you hire a person who couldn't service 50% of your clients, when there was a line of people who could?
Sorry, but them's the facts.