Beginner Questions

[KKKK]

We (my brother and I) just signed on with a company in SE Wisconsin with a new 2004 Ford E-350, 6.0L. We signed the contract on May 26th. Neither os us has ever run expedited freight before, although my brother has run as an OTR owner/operator in the past.

We have, to date, run five loads. In all five cases, we arrived early for the pickup and delivered at least two hours before the delivery time. On loads that specified ASAP, we averaged 57 MPH from the time of pickup to delivery. These loads along with our relationship with the company have generated a few basic questions.

1 - When you signed your contracts, did you receive a copy of the contract? We can't seem to get ours.

2 - Does the company call you with loads, or must you keep calling them?

3 - We have spent the past six days without a load. Is this common?

4 - Is our track record acceptable, or are we expected to do better? In my contact with the company, they say that everything is OK. Then, why aren't we getting any loads recently?

5 - Is it common practice to cater to the whims of the company? I'm beginning to get the impression that drivers are treated as dispensible, "throw-away" items.

6 - This company prides itself with keeping drivers busy. So far it doesn't seem that way. How do companies decide who takes a load? Is the last one hired also the last one called? Is it necessary to build seniority?

7 - The company contract provides for us to also drive for other companies. How does one do that without jeopardizing the relationship with both companies?

I would appreciate comments on any or all of these questions.

Ken

 

[davekc]

It is hard to comment specifically to some of your questions without knowing who you are driving for. They may be giving some of their loads to their regular drivers as they may look at you as a unknown entity. The biggest problem I see out of your post is that they will not provide you with a copy of your contract. Legally you are required to have a copy of your lease in your truck. I don't know whether that applies to vans though? I would clearly demand, not ask for a copy of your lease. Reading it carefully will provide some of the answers to your other questions.
There is a great line on here; "be a business man first and a driver second"

 

[pellgrn]

Yes vans get a copy of there contract.I would also like to know who you run for,cause that's a big red flag,do you guys run team? if so and your east of the sippi [river] you shouldn't be sitting very much at least with the big carriers.How's the 6.0? mpg,noise,ect...how many quarts of oil does it take,sorry that's for the truck form.If you really want a load go to the movies,or get a hotel room.The phone will ring in about an hour after sit down

 

[Lawrence]

pellgrn,

Not ot make light of this post - but I think your right right on how to get a load, grab a shower, see a movie or rent a motel room.

Strange on how that works.


Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


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[RichM]

It's also a 100% factual truth that the more expensive the Motel room is ,the quicker you will get that run.

 

[ATeam]

You are asking good questions in the right place. Allow me to suggest that to get a better feel for the industry you are now part of, spend a few hours (not all at one sitting) reading through these EO Open Forums. The conferences and topics links on the bottom of each page provide an easy way to move through all the posts.

A lot of the content will not apply to the questions you ask. But reading it may prompt new thoughts as you consider your next move.

 

[terryandrene]

FedEx gives signed copies of lease agreement to all trucks and requires them to be in truck at all times.

All of the drivers with whom I have been in contact are generally called by the company in the order in which they got into an area of activity. Landstar Express has a slightly different method whereby the driver calls one or more company brokers to advise availability to run, then the broker calls when freight's avail.

During this relatively busy period, a six day wait would indicate you are setting in the wrong area or your company is short on customers.

Your track record would be perfect with most, if not all, carriers. 57 MPH avg speed is identical to ours.

You should cater to the terms of your contract and the whims of your wife and creditors. A good company should treat you as a valuable resource, for it is your success that creates theirs.

Our company allows us to work for others on our own (called trip leasing) but you shouln't be encouraged to do so. Must be a sign of lack of business on their part.

 

[KKKK]

Thanks for all the responses. I'm sure that, as time goes on, we will have more questions.

Sorry for the delay, but we have been busy recently - funny how that works. I sent a letter to the company detailing some of my issues with them. Although they didn't respond, it would appear that they took my comments "to heart". I think they "initiated" us --- sent us to deliver in NYC -- 5th Avenue -- Manhattan. It was a real neat experience. The only problem was, we were not able to get a load out, so we deadheaded back to Wisconsin.

One quick additional question -- Are you told upfront, before you accept the load - the number of paid miles and the pay per mile?

Again, thanks for the info....

Ken

 

[terryandrene]

K4:

Our carrier's run offer, either on the telephone or over the Qualcomm, includes:

City, time of P/U
City, time of Del
# pcs, Weight, Total miles, Total pay to the truck,
Hazmat status, number of stops and whether or not a round trip.

They do a good job of giving enough information to make an informed business decision. We sometimes have to prod them for all that info on the phone. The biggest info drawback we have is determining if the delivery time and date has been confirmed by the consignee. It's all too often possible to take a low paying, short load on Friday and after pickup find out we don't deliver til Monday. This is overcome by not accepting a potential weekend/holiday load offer til they get confirmation.

I have seen drivers of most other national carriers get similar info. I can't imagine anyone accepting a load without knowing in advance the approximate miles and the exact pay

Terry

 

[RichM]

I think at one time Tri State drivers did not know the actual pay until they received their settlement.They could make an educated guess. I could not operate that way and it may have gone away.

 

[davekc]

Rich is correct on TriState at the time they were doing .65 percent of the load. Since they changed to a milage based program, I would think you would know now. It was good that they changed it because when we were there they had some instances that .65 was not paid. They were not aware that the customer shared their billing information with us. One of many reasons that we left.

 

[KKKK]

Note to Pellgrn ---
The 6.0L has been doing fine. As to noise, it's difficult to judge. I have driven a few 7.3L in pickups, and the 6.0L in the van sounds about the same. I never drove a 7.3 in a van. The engine itself is probably quieter, but the lack of insulation (and distance from the driver) with the van may make it appear the same. About oil -- it takes the same as the 7.3. Changed it for the first time last weekend. It took 14 quarts to fill. Fuel mileage has been good. Running at 72MPH (by GPS), we are averaging 19.5. BTW - it has a 3.55 rear axle.

Ken

 

[pellgrn]

Thanks for the info KKKK,it's the 1st year for the 6.0 and i am considering one.I have two 7.3's and hope the 6.0 are as dependable,it's 16 Qts on mine so 14 will save a couple bucks per oil change.I gotta ask who you run for,all the way back to W.I without a load offer? must have been on the weekend.

 

[Cameron33]

Can anyone give me a general idea of what a solo driver with a cargo van can expect to make and spend in a year? Things like fuel, tolls, insurance, maint..etc. Thanks for any help you guys can give

 

[davekc]

I will mention it again. Numerous states require that you have a lease in your truck. The original, not a copy or a faxed version. Regulations might be different on a cargo van, but they certainly will not be on any haz-mat load. I would demand an original lease that you signed. Depending on what state you are in, it can be an expensive fine. Not an issue to overlook!
Davekc

 

[KKKK]

Just an update --- Thanks for all the responses. Since our relationship with the company seems to have improved since my initial message, I would prefer to think that we are on the right track. We DO carry a the lease. As far as the identity of the company -- I would prefer to not disclose that at this time. Perhaps when I can make some positive statements about it, I will tell you.

There is a chance (???) that the problem is partially ours in thinking that backhauls should come more rapidly than they do. After reading some of the more recent messages on this site, it would seem that there is a MUCH longer wait than I originally thought.

In talking with other expediters (waiting for loads) at truck stops during the last few trips, I have come to the conclusion that my expectations were too high. I guess I just have to "mellow out" and find something to do during the wait.

Ken .......