A. Blaire?

[Billybulldog]

Hi. I'm new to the whole expediting scene. I see a job offered by them for their company based out of Louisville.

It says you can expect to BRING home $45k a year. Does this sound accurate?

I guess you lease the truck? You pretty much work for yourself I assume?

Being a expediter, do you stay in hotels sometimes? Or just buy a good travel mattress and make due with wha room you have to sleep?

I currently run a route 2-3 days out in a 26ft truck. I get. $150 day per diem. So I get to stay in hotels.

Insure it takes a certain type to endure the life style. But I'd be willing to doi for $900-1000 a week take home

Any info much appreciated

 

[layoutshooter]

Welcome. Can't help you with Blair, I know nothing about them. This life is both fun and difficult at the same time. The hours can be tough. The more you work, the more you can make. Plan staying out for a MINIMUM of 3 weeks at a shot, longer is better. Not a business if you want a normal home/family life.

 

[Billybulldog]

Thanks. As of now, I have no kids and am getting a divorce. I love to drive.

All I have is a dog, and he likes to ride in the car.

I can stay out as long as I'm making money. $1000 a week would be a start

 

[zorry]

$150 per diem. Plus pay ?
If so, you may be better staying there and finding a part time job.
Unless you don't want to be home.

Sleep in your cargo box, pocket the $55 per night. That will give you the expedite experience.

 

[Billybulldog]

Any info on the expediter life would be helpful too!

Do you guys ever stay in a hotel on down days? Or do you have to be ready to go at all hours?

 

[zorry]

I would suspect if there were many thousand dollar weeks they wouldn't need to advertise.

I'm not in a van, so I'll step aside and let the experts speak.

 

[zorry]

Sometimes you'll be planned on Monday so it's safe to get a room in the weekend.
Almost always at your expense.

 

[Billybulldog]

Zorry, so you're saying the 45k a year cleared is probably at optimal output? Running on gears and getting the trips?

 

[Billybulldog]

What do you drive Zorry?

I just think it would be a fun living for a period of time. Get to see all parts of the US. I am fairly well travelled, but still have many states I'd like to hit.

It would have to be at least $800 a week clear to get me in the door. I couldn't see being out for 6-8weeks and expecting anything less. I go out for 8 weeks, coming home with 6k would be worth it

 

[xiggi]

A Blair. You will work hard with few comforts, not be home much at all. Its expedite and sometimes you will set for days on end. The pay is cheap and basically forced dispatch. All cargo space must be available for freight so any mattress must be able to move out of the way like against the wall. Some weeks you will take that much home and maybe more some weeks you won't . that would be before tax money you will be responsible for your own taxes so take home is a little misleading. Not saying they are a good or bad company but you will certainly work for every penny you make. They tend to run long and run cheap but you get a fixed amount per mile which you must pay for fuel out of including deadhead fuel.

You can stay in a motel anytime you like, your responsible for it and might get a call at two in the morning and have to head out on a load.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using EO Forums mobile app

 

[fastman_1]

Hotels..once in while it gets old living in a tin can, 45K clear in a cargo van, your gonna have to hustle. As for seeing the sights....nope 80% of your driving in at night not much to see in the dark.and after you drive all night and get empty it's sleep time.

 

[Billybulldog]

Their sprinter vans

 

[davekc]

I would recommend contacting EO member Chetjester. If anyone knows Blair, it is him. He doesn't work there any more but he could give you the good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

[zorry]

I drive a reefer straight truck.

It might be fun to try. Only another A B driver can tell you the chances of making that kind of coin.
And because he can doesn't mean you will..
Got some savings ? Try it until you get a handle on it.
If you must have $800 clear, and you have an option to do that, I'd take the sure thing.

I have never worked as a van driver.
Keep reading, plenty of vanners here.

 

[Billybulldog]

Thanks. I don't need $800 a week clear, but to be out for that period of time would make it worth my time

 

[skyraider]

Hi. I'm new to the whole expediting scene. I see a job offered by them for their company based out of Louisville.

It says you can expect to BRING home $45k a year. Does this sound accurate?

I guess you lease the truck? You pretty much work for yourself I assume?

Being a expediter, do you stay in hotels sometimes? Or just buy a good travel mattress and make due with wha room you have to sleep?

I currently run a route 2-3 days out in a 26ft truck. I get. $150 day per diem. So I get to stay in hotels.

Insure it takes a certain type to endure the life style. But I'd be willing to doi for $900-1000 a week take home

Any info much appreciated

You most likely will be real, real sleepy with Blair. No hotels unless you want to pay for it. You will not have a lot of sleep there. If you can find a Blair driver, I would ask him or her how much they driver per week,,it is not that green there, but go ahead if you want to....Expediting is like boot camp, you have no idea what your getting into until you get out here. Very few listen to advice imho

 

[Billybulldog]

I listen, start talking. Sleeping being you keep moving?

You most likely will be real, real sleepy with Blair. No hotels unless you want to pay for it. You will not have a lot of sleep there. If you can find a Blair driver, I would ask him or her how much they driver per week,,it is not that green there, but go ahead if you want to....Expediting is like boot camp, you have no idea what your getting into until you get out here. Very few listen to advice imho

 

[Mailer]

Any info on the expediter life would be
helpful too!

Expedited driving requires constant alertness and the healthy body and mind. You are pretty much on call 24/7.

During the transition period, unpredictable runs can result in both mental and physical exhaustions. These will compremise your alertness and therefore raise the safety issues.

While on the road, many new expeditors experienced the past "emotional reruns." That is, going through some of those past or recent unresolved emotional stresses.

Experiencing anger, depression or other detrimental stressors, while out on the road, can take away the focus from driving and impede job performances.

I hope your reason to become an expeditor are of the business nature and not due to the stressors at home. In this business, good emotions and physical health make great expeditor. Please review and read past threads on this EO forum, you will get more insights about our lifestyles.

Welcome and good luck

 

[Billybulldog]

Thanks for the info Mailer. I'm not looking to escape my home. It's just me and my dog. Lol

 

[mjmsprt40]

I do this in a van driving for a smaller outfit. Can't say either good or bad about Blair because I don't know about them, but-- this would be the first I've heard about being guaranteed 45K a year clear with anybody. I'll make about 50K this year, plus or minus a little, total. For that, you get the pleasures of living in a small metal box on wheels, cheap motels when you think you absolutely have to (weather conditions can force your hand at times) and a completely unpredictable schedule.

I seem to recall Turtle saying 25K is usual bring-home in the vans but I could be wrong. Some outfits do a bit better, some not as good, "your mileage may vary".