California ???

Big Al · Oct 1, 2014

I have some close friends who have TVAL trucks with FECC and they have trouble finding drivers because their empty trucks are not California eligible. These friends are drivers themselves and they are very considerate of their drivers. What puzzles me is why all these drivers want to go to California. I am 71 and I am a California native (which I humbly admit

, went to school K-12 there and spent quite some time there in the U S Navy; however, I prefer to live elsewhere. As far as business is concerned other than being a nice long run I don't see the advantages. Fuel is expensive, they have more than their fair share of crazy drivers, old freeways with short or non existent on ramps. You end up with a bunch of short runs during daylight hours while waiting a load back to the real world. Parking?? I always thought Ontario was an armpit. I guess the truck stops to the north are a little better but I seen the trucks they have in the Midwest ,south ,northeast, etc. gross more than their California trucks. I guess sometimes you deadhead out to Reno or Las Vegas. Anyway can someone enlighten this old guy

danthewolf00 · Oct 2, 2014

they are not getting otr drivers but daycab there and back drivers. Personanly i am with you on this one cally can go sink into the ocean as far as loads.

Daffyduck528 · Oct 2, 2014

We do really well going in and out of Cali. Usually 3,000+ miles in and out in tval for a great rate. Outside of tval I wouldn't really waste my time. In a surface truck I'm hesitant to run west of I-35. And drivers generally don't care about costs of fuel unless they are paying the bill. Plus fedex has a west coast fuel surcharge that does pay a lil better than east coast does.

layoutshooter · Oct 2, 2014

We noticed very little difference in our income when we quit going out to California. We had been staying, for the most part, east of the Mississippi River and keeping busy. We were also not afraid to run in Canada, which was very large part of what we did. We were TVAL and just about every other qualification you could have.

guido4475 · Oct 2, 2014

IMO, I think it is best for teams to take care of the west coast running. Solo's may be setting themselves up for some long waiting time, if who they are leased to follow the current DOT rules and regulations.Not all loads coming out of the west coast are solo friendly. And I also believe California is getting out of hand with some of their rules and regulations regarding the trucking industry as well.Maybe if enough drivers say no to California, and it gets to be a problem as far as getting freight delivered to there, they may change their way of thinking. Another thought is, does the amount of California bound loads one may do really make it worth outfitting a truck to make it CARB compliant, or the purchase of a newer truck? I guess if it was for a team run truck who runs out there on a regular basis the upfitting would be worth it, as eventually most of the west coast runs could eventually be left for the teams as the rules and regulations are enforced more as time goes on. I think teams are the way of the future in the logbook regulated trucking segment.

Daffyduck528 · Oct 2, 2014

I agree with the teams part. I would imagine it would be rough as just a solo. I also agree with the Canada credentials. We run a lot of loads in and out of Canada. It could probably subsidize any loss we would have if we quit going to Cali.

Big Al · Oct 2, 2014

I concur that going to Canada makes up for any loses and your not so isolated plus I wonder if all the ragtag tractors running shipping containers from the port are exempt.

Daffyduck528 · Oct 2, 2014

Big Al said:
I concur that going to Canada makes up for any loses and your not so isolated plus I wonder if all the ragtag tractors running shipping containers from the port are exempt.

I've wondered about all the cab overs over there. Are all of those retrofits? Are they using some kind of exemption? Or is the fine so low that they just run and when they are busted pay the fine and keep on going...?

iceroadtrucker · Oct 3, 2014

Gold in California Na more like there Gold In Round Mountain NEVADA at the GOLD Mine. CA has its advantages I have run as a single in and out of CA quite a few times. Some of the loads paid some didn't. Getting East from CA is not easy. But can be done. There are loads that go all the way to Michigan and some that go all the way to Pa and some that hit Mo. Far as Canada goes it not worth DH in to or DH out on the Eastern Sector as they don't pay. The loads on the Western side pay really good that covers the DH out. The Eastern side U deal with NY DOT Ticket NAZIS that are trying to get there quota. Getting back to Teams and CA. There are those that would by used trucks and to run at the lower Rates that is the thinking of some. The truth of the matter is by used by some one else problem. Trucking Companies ditch trucks at 450 to 500 thousand for a reason. USED UP!!!. Weather u by New or Used New you pay out the wazoo in Payments. Used U better expect to get Nickel Dimed to death. Either case You got to make the money to either make the payments on New Truck and Truck Repairs or Make the Cheaper Payments on Used Up Truck and Repairs. Either case its going to cost so the rates got to go up. Fuel is high TOLLS are going up. It all going to cost. CA it is what it is. But Canada on the Eastern side not worth the headache no Joy. But over on the Western side its very Nice and easy and Relaxing. No worries all Happy. As far as teams in trucks go that truck should clear 12000 a week and a solo TT truck should do a min of 5000. If a driver cant make over 1000 after taxes are taken out weather solo or Team then its not worth it being in Expedite. Expedite u do not have any INS or Benefits like company drivers get. That being said no Bennies then should be higher pay to move the freight. . But again we cant run the freight for free. Far as Freight goes the SKY SHOULD BE THE LIMIT!!!!!!!!!!! ALL the work we can handle. Plain and simple.

Big Al · Oct 4, 2014

I haven't been to California in quite a while but I always said the trucks running containers around the city or the LA Basin were in such bad shape that they were afraid to let them go too far because of expensive tow charges. It seems that if you are willing to go to Canada you'll be about the same for revenue.