Trucking: New Driver, new buffalo michigan, grocery warehouses

Question
Hi Bob,
My husband has been a Union Bricklayer for the last 10+ yrs and has now decided to drive truck. He recently graduated truck driving school here in Michigan and went to start working for Steven's Transport, TX.  He has completed his trainer driving and has just finished his team driving for Steven's.  What to do now? We live in Michigan and were both worried about his hometime.  Also he spends an extensive amount of time waiting to load or be unloaded.  He has applied for anything and everything local here in MI, but everyone wants 1+ years OTR experience. Should he stick with Steven's for the next year? He has mentioned Steven's Lease Program and also thought about the owner operator thing. What would you suggest? Would it be most profitable to 'suffer' being away from eachother for the next few years? What do you suggest?  

Answer
Hi Crystal.

I graduated from truck driving school from New Buffalo, Michigan.  I wonder if your husband went to the same school.  PDI was actually a great school there.

Welcome to OTR.  That's why trucking has such a high turnover rate, drivers are never home.  It's one of the facts of trucking, to make money, the wheels need to keep turning.  You may have him talk to his dispatcher about regional or dedicated runs.  This would get him home more often.  Work up the corporate chain if his dispatcher is of no help.  They often don't know of dedicated runs.  You might have to get on the phone for him and talk to the corporate office in Dallas, someone will help.

Second, welcome to the world of hauling reefer.  Grocery warehouses are a nightmare and you will wait forever.  That's why I never hauled reefer OTR.  Many companies have layover/detention pay, but it usually takes 24 hours to get it.  It's one of those issues that isn't going to go away.  Stevens is in competition will hundreds of other companies for loads and they're not going to call their customer and complain about wait times.  Then the shippers will go elsewhere.  Next company, go dry van or flat bed.

If home time is an issue, I'm not sure why he would consider the lease program.  He'll be gone just as much, if not more with a truck payment.  I would also try and find a company closer to Michigan.  They'll most likely have more routes in your area than a company 2000 miles away.  Not always the case, but it can be.  At the very least, find a company with a big terminal near you.  

I would try to stick with Stevens for one year.  It will open up so many more doors for him.  At the dead minimum, six months.  He's new and needs to learn a lot.  The first year, he'll know the ropes and know if he even wants to own a truck.  It sounds great (owning a truck), but it's a big investment.  With his one year, though, if he gets tired of OTR, many local positions will be available to him where he's home nightly.  Your in a great position in the midwest with regards to home time and different companies.  Just get that experience!

Good luck!

Bob Stephens