
Originally Posted by
unkut2003
I gotta go from Toledo, OH to Oregon, OH to the yard to snag my trailer and do my required paperwork. Then head out from Oregon, OH to Williamsburg, MI (roughly 300 miles or 5hrs), LUMP 40 Kolumn Forms (Concrete Forms) off the truck (rough 30min-1hr), then head down to Grand Rapids, MI (another 150 miles or 2.5hrs), LUMP the other 65 Kolumn Forms off to empty her out (1hr-1.5hrs), and then bring her back home to Oregon, OH (another 200 mile or 3-3.5hrs)!!!
So in a nutshell, your talkin a 650+ miles, or roughly 11 hrs drive time, AND 1.5-2.5 hours of LUMPER duty!!! Oh, and all this in a Kenworth T800 Daycab that struggles to run a steady 65mph...

My mistake, Unkut! I took your post to mean this was a "dedicated" local run that you did
every day! MOST "local" or "regional" runs are the same every day.
The run you described, required nearly a FULL 11 hours of driving, plus a minimum of say 2 or 2.5 hours of lumping.... not counting the time from Toledo down to Oregon! That puts you REAL close to the 14 hour rule! (figure in a couple of 15 minute breaks, and you are at the LINE! Add in commute time to get home, and you wouldn't REALLY have any hometime!
You are outside the 150 mile air radius, so it is NOT "local" but more properly called "regional." Therefore, subject to the OTR rules.
If you don't have to do this EVERY day, and in fact, get some "short days" as you described, I would think it was Okay! Heck, you can even keep up with the soap operas!
Minimum $180/day, and a few BIG days, sounds pretty GOOD! But, please clarify for me what kind of "weekend" you get.
I'm GLAD you are doing good, and have found something that meets your needs! I wish it were that easy for ALL drivers! Unfortunately, MOST "newer" drivers get sucked into abusive situations.
I misunderstood your post, and made a point that all those who seek "local" or "regional" jobs should consider. I won't apologize for THAT. But, with the clarification, I'm GLAD that you have pointed out that, with a bit of searching, a newer driver CAN be patient and find the perfect job for him/her!
There are over 375,000 trucking companies "out there." Most of us can only name about 20 - 30 of the "mega carriers." As I've said before, I believe the high turnover rate in this industry is largely due to "newbies" taking the easiest option to get into the business, only to be disappointed. There are MANY "good" jobs out there! You just have to LOOK for them!
You could do ME, and others here, a GREAT service, if you will give us some more details about HOW you found this company, what their "niche" is, and what their company "policies" are.