Another One Bites the Dust!

Bearcat · Mar 14, 2002

Well folks, Its time to say good bye to expediting. The last 30 days put that big stake right through my wallet. Removing those big signs of my truck so I can turn it in monday. Its been interesting but cannot believe these companies still hire with little freight out there. Hope the ones who survive these tough times do well and prosper. Others who are thinking of doing this, I have two suggestion to pass on. Team it if you can and have a low truck payment. Will check in once in a while to see whats going on in the expediting world.
Good luck
Randy:-(

louixo · Mar 14, 2002

Randy...good luck with whatever you decide to do. Do you plan to stay in trucking? Seems everything you read these days, expediting is taking bath. We all, i guess wonder if and when it will get back to bieng profitable. I hope that any newbies heed your advice. It ain't easy out there!

Olko · Mar 14, 2002

Sorry it didn't work out for you. Times are tough out there, and have been for awhile now. Don't get down on yourself for it not working out, it has happened to others before you (Us), and it will continue to happen. I still think back from time to time, trying to figure out what we could have done differently, and sure I can come up with little things here and there, but not enough to make a big enough difference. We both have good jobs now, with steady paychecks, and it's only 8.5 more years until that bankruptcy comes off our credit report. :'( I hope it didn't drag you down as far as it got us, and I hope better times are right around the corner for you.

Don't worry about your Company, they will have someone in orientation on Monday to take your place. Why not, they sign on as many as they can (Not all companies are like this, right Weave), it really doesn't cost them much, because they get the owners to absorb most of the risk.

willy · Mar 14, 2002

ive been in this two years and made it alright.for what its worth here is my two cents.i leased on with a local guy first learned what i could about what shipped where and when.got my own authority found a few shippers who were happy to ship with me at about 20-30%cheaper than the big boys.stayed leased to the local guy did my own thing and his.see,he understands its MY van.just like he has more than one customer i do too.i always let him know where ill be.if i get a run to baltimore on my own i call him and he finds or trys to find me something back.he knows that instead of complaining and getting zero he finds something and gets 40%.
a little while back i signed on with a national outfit too.the first time i ran for them and they told me to hang out a couple days for free i cracked up.said ill call you later.went home found work for two days. they called and said hey where did you go i went to work thats where.if they want to pay me rent on my veh.to hang out lets sign a new contract.if not call me you have something and ill run it.they make money and so do i.if a few of you guys walked in at the same time and said the same thing they could either accomadate you or not its up to you and them.work it out.if they wont work with you move on.its your business to either make it or dont.not there fault if you make bad decisions.getting your own papers and getting your own accounts takes time but it sounds like some of you guys have time on your hands.if your in louisville 2-3 times a week or any city for that matter go to the printing co.the metal shops,ink plants.pump mfgs and so on give them your price and haul for yourself.

lighting · Mar 14, 2002

good luck in what ever you do.i myself sold my truck this wk giving it up.going back to tractor&tralier where you know you can get freight.if i learned anything in 4 yrs its expediting is not where its at.you cant make it running discount freight & setting at truckstops for 2-3 days waiting on loads.

teacel · Mar 15, 2002

Hey now!!! Willy!}> }> }>
You hit the nail right on the head:7 :7 :7 Just once I would love to see the drivers take control of those biggy do nothing companies that take more than 50%of the rate and not do anything to earn it.x( x( x(

I just linked to a site that took me back to March 16th, 2000.}> For you guys that don't know that date, it was the CONVOY from LA to DC. 300 or more trucks. It looked to me like it was one of the greatest shows on earth. I was told that for once 2or more drivers were able to take a stand and agree on something good.

I would love to see this happen at our level and for ALL the expediting drivers take and make a stand only to tell the companies and o/o's that kiss those companies buts, they will not do another run, unless the rate is 80 or 90% to the driver. What will those a-holes do then. I've seen a post on this forum where a person will let anyone run under his numbers, for a SMALL!!!SMALL!!! fee, and even collect the money coming to you.

What do you guys have to loose, at this point you are turning in the keys and throwing in the towel. Why not go down fighting. Most of the guys working are friends of the dispatchers, or are providing a kick back to someone for that 600/700/800/mile or so on run. You know who has to ship the freight, so why not give them a number that is less than they pay and get it ALL.

This is just some GOD-GOD-GOD, (GOOD OLD DESPERATION) suggestion. If you don't know any numbers then take a pay you received for a run and add about 65%, and that's about what the customer paid to have the load delivered. If you price it 30%above your split you'll do okay.

}>

}> x(

Hammer · Mar 17, 2002

This cycle will always continue as long as the BIG Company's are convienced that the NEW LEASES are more important then the COMMITTED LEASORS that have SUPPORTED these COMPANYS with a PROVEN TRACK RECORD..IF THEY WOULD ONLY RUN THE TRUCKS THEY ALREADY HAVE AND STOP ALL THESE PENALIZING DWELL TIMES>AND RUN THOSE TRUCKS WHO ARE DODGING REPO..:+

Grifspam · Mar 28, 2002

Randy: Sorry to see this happen. I appreciate the help when we were enjoying ourselves in beautiful downtown Jackson, Tenn.!! If it is any consolation I am right behind you on the way out....this truck is going back to the owner because the anal-retentive bozos at FedEx can't seem to find loads like they used to. (It is thursday night and I have not had a load offer yet this week.) I feel very bad for the truck owner who is a good guy but nobody can live on the kind of money I take home from this.

If you have not turned the truck in yet I would suggest you call TriState....right after we parted ways I met up with a couple of their guys in Knoxville and they tell me they are always busy. I talked to a truck owner there and he tells me the same thing..in fact offered me a job starting as soon as I could get to orientation!!
I understand they are putting on trucks...and unlike the fleet at FedEx, which has approx. 1200 trucks trying to share 300-500 loads per day, TriState has 500 trucks and 550 loads per day on average.

Good luck to you no matter what you do...thanks again for getting me started when my batteries died.

Joe

Bearcat · Mar 29, 2002

Got rid of the truck wednesday, turned in my plates yesterday. Got an offer to drive dump truck. Couple other driving positions I am checking into also. No problem on the jump start in jackson. Going to miss the open road but the wife wants me to stay local so don't plan on OTR driving. I thought about tristate but the last month out drained me to the point of no return. Sitting 5 days for a load was BS and didn't want to listen to another promise on loads and don't receive. Hope it works out for you. Take care.

Randy

Lisa D · Apr 18, 2002

All expeditors are slow right now- go ahead and jump the fence I guarentee the grass will be no greener on the other side!! Then when you want to come back (they all do) it will be too late. I wish you luck...... And I am speaking from experience.

teacel · Apr 19, 2002

Why are you saying that if drivers leave that it will be to late, and they can't come back?
Those companies will hire back any driver as long as he or she didn't harm any of their staff. That is from EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT,BUT!!!!!!!!! what do I know?????????????????????

jimvic42 · Apr 27, 2002

How did you get the signs off the truck

teacel · Apr 27, 2002

Get the vinyl warm, use your hair dryer, then pull that off. Once you remove all the vinyl, get this stuff called goo(gue) it is a liquid glue remover, or you can even use nail polish remover.

Bearcat · Apr 27, 2002

I used an eraser. It goes on a drill. Got it at auto value for about 30 bucks. Its better if its cold out when using this. Also, if you spend to much time in one area the color will bleed into the paint. If you can put your vehicle into a garage where there is not wind, use a heat gun. I had big signs on my box and took me a week to get it off.
Good luck getting it off.
Randy

crazy · Apr 30, 2002

Well, I'm outta here too. Sold my "D" unit and purchased a class 8 tractor and am going back to yanking a tanker to pay the banker. The money is 100% better and pretty steady also. Hated to give up my D unit but with the economic enviroment within the expediting business, and the state of the automotive industry, it was becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet let alone make a profit.
I really like the expedite biz,but before I ran myself into bankruptcy, I decided to call it quits. I think a lot of people need to do some soul searching and make the decision on whether to continue or not. I have seen many trying to stay afloat on credit cards,second mortgages,loans from freinds and family, only to lose it all in the end.
I was with a decent company and did not have any major problems with them and on occasion did pretty good with them, but with the amount of equipment on the street and more being added daily coupled with diminishing freight rates, I just could not risk waiting it out to find the light at the end of the tunnel.
I will miss the people I have met on this forum and on the road who have shared their insight and wisdom with me and wish each and everyone of you the best of luck. I will continue to visit EO and read all the posts to stay abreast of the business. I think once you start expediting, you really never let go.
Take care.