trobertson
Rookie Expediter
Perhaps I can answer some of the questions within this thread.
We DO NOT run our “drivers to death”. In fact we hear the usual complaints of all driver’s about sitting too long. Sorry, my friends, it simply the life of an expediter!
Our drivers let us know how much rest they need and we do not require them to take loads unrested. However, let’s also be realistic…neither of us is making any money when the wheels are not turning.
That having been said, we have no problems with drivers heading home whenever they deliver close to their respective homes, as long as they remain in service. We do indeed expect our driver to be in service for 6 weeks at a minimum, but most live within the expedited lanes that we travel, and can, like Chet mentioned, gain additional time at home when the opportunities present themselves.
Addressing Chetjester’s claims of mileage…I can assure you that he would not report anything other than the truth. I can also tell you that his OCD is NOT imagined. Chet truly becomes extremely antsy sitting anywhere for any length of time and was an exceptional driver. We referred to him just as NoProblem addressed him…”Chet the Jet”…early on pickups early on deliveries and seemingly always ready for the next run.
Chet, if you once again become ready to drive we’ll always have a new vehicle ready for you. We will within a few week have upgraded every company owned vehicle to 2015 models with built in GPS, backup cameras and other niceties! I know you cant sit in Dallas forever!
In all the years of expediting I’ve had less than ten drivers who have logged the magical 180,00 miles a year and I will assure you that Chet ranks at the top on this elite list. Again, always early and the only complaints received were, “do you know how long I’ve been sitting here?”
We were truly sorry to see NoProblem move on to another area of this business, and know that whatever he chooses to do that he will succeed. Here’s to you Steve.
To answer your questions about how A. Blair is doing, I can only say that we are still here and still growing. We recently opened an office in Cleveland and have given that office the responsibility of hiring on owner operators. We began this venture allowing multi-carrier van and sprinter owner operators, but have recently rejected signing on anyone who cannot or will not be exclusive with A. Blair Enterprises.
We’ve also decided to establish a small fleet of team driven straight trucks, made up of owner operators that are tired of sitting in areas and hearing that they are the third of fourth truck in line for the next run. We hope to find a fleet owner who wants to improve on his present carrier arrangement, and become a force with his carrier. We want to limit the number of straight trucks to 10 at this time to minimize the time spent waiting for loads, and lessen the possibilities of in carrier competition. If you’re a straight truck owner operator or a fleet straight truck owner operator and want less competition within your selected carrier structure, we welcome your calls.
mccll01- If you live in Columbus then you are definitely in the expedited freight lanes. Yes, we would expect you to be in service for 6 weeks at a minimum, but I’m certain you would see and be able to stop by your house more often.
Our recruiter in Louisville for company sprinter vans is Abby. You can reach her at 502-339-8648.
Owner Operators of vans- straight trucks call Robert in Cleveland at 1-440-327-7143.
Thanks to OntarioVanMan and davekc for their input.
Tom Robertson
A. Blair Enterprises
We DO NOT run our “drivers to death”. In fact we hear the usual complaints of all driver’s about sitting too long. Sorry, my friends, it simply the life of an expediter!
Our drivers let us know how much rest they need and we do not require them to take loads unrested. However, let’s also be realistic…neither of us is making any money when the wheels are not turning.
That having been said, we have no problems with drivers heading home whenever they deliver close to their respective homes, as long as they remain in service. We do indeed expect our driver to be in service for 6 weeks at a minimum, but most live within the expedited lanes that we travel, and can, like Chet mentioned, gain additional time at home when the opportunities present themselves.
Addressing Chetjester’s claims of mileage…I can assure you that he would not report anything other than the truth. I can also tell you that his OCD is NOT imagined. Chet truly becomes extremely antsy sitting anywhere for any length of time and was an exceptional driver. We referred to him just as NoProblem addressed him…”Chet the Jet”…early on pickups early on deliveries and seemingly always ready for the next run.
Chet, if you once again become ready to drive we’ll always have a new vehicle ready for you. We will within a few week have upgraded every company owned vehicle to 2015 models with built in GPS, backup cameras and other niceties! I know you cant sit in Dallas forever!
In all the years of expediting I’ve had less than ten drivers who have logged the magical 180,00 miles a year and I will assure you that Chet ranks at the top on this elite list. Again, always early and the only complaints received were, “do you know how long I’ve been sitting here?”
We were truly sorry to see NoProblem move on to another area of this business, and know that whatever he chooses to do that he will succeed. Here’s to you Steve.
To answer your questions about how A. Blair is doing, I can only say that we are still here and still growing. We recently opened an office in Cleveland and have given that office the responsibility of hiring on owner operators. We began this venture allowing multi-carrier van and sprinter owner operators, but have recently rejected signing on anyone who cannot or will not be exclusive with A. Blair Enterprises.
We’ve also decided to establish a small fleet of team driven straight trucks, made up of owner operators that are tired of sitting in areas and hearing that they are the third of fourth truck in line for the next run. We hope to find a fleet owner who wants to improve on his present carrier arrangement, and become a force with his carrier. We want to limit the number of straight trucks to 10 at this time to minimize the time spent waiting for loads, and lessen the possibilities of in carrier competition. If you’re a straight truck owner operator or a fleet straight truck owner operator and want less competition within your selected carrier structure, we welcome your calls.
mccll01- If you live in Columbus then you are definitely in the expedited freight lanes. Yes, we would expect you to be in service for 6 weeks at a minimum, but I’m certain you would see and be able to stop by your house more often.
Our recruiter in Louisville for company sprinter vans is Abby. You can reach her at 502-339-8648.
Owner Operators of vans- straight trucks call Robert in Cleveland at 1-440-327-7143.
Thanks to OntarioVanMan and davekc for their input.
Tom Robertson
A. Blair Enterprises