Okay I screwed up!!!! I hit the wrong button and removed this thread and all it's replies. Lucky for me I was able to save the text. I copied it all in this post and let Lawrence know about it. He may be able to recover the removed thread.
Sorry for being so clumsy!!!!!!!
__________________________________________________________________________________
nightshift
Member since Feb-22-04
1 posts
Feb-22-04, 09:08 AM (EST)
First let me say that it's nice to find a site that seems to focus on answering questions instead of putting people down. I'm a member of another trucking board (concentrating mainly on OTR freight hauling) that I really like but it took forever to find it and now it seems I've found another one that is as good (I won't mention the name of the other board unless asked to respect the owners/moderators of this board). Okay now to why I'm here.
I've been driving OTR for about 15 months now in a KW T-2000 with a 72" condo sleeper pulling a 53' dry van. I like driving and I'm earning a fairly good living but I've been looking at the expediting world and wonder if it's the way to go. I'm a solo driver but my wife rides with me and is interested in going to school and getting her Class A CDL, now for the hard part, the questions.
What are the typical freight lanes? I'd be interested in driving a straight truck with at least a 72" sleeper.
What is the normal time out? I typically stay out 3 weeks at a shot, sure I'd love a job that I could be home on weekends but that's not always a reality.
What are the avg. miles per week that I'd be looking at? Right now my avg. for the past year is in the 2700 to 2800 miles per week.
What are the best areas to live in to get into the expediting world? We currently live in Raleigh, NC and I don't plan on moving anytime soon and if I do move it would be farther south.
In expedited freight are the trip times reasonable? What I mean is do they give you enough time to make the runs legally or do you have to perform miracles to get the loads delivered on time. I try to run legal because I value my CDL, I know this limits the miles that I could get but in the long run it's cheaper then the fines or loss of my CDL.
How do I find a O/O that would hire me and possibly allow me to train my wife after she goes through school so we could go from a solo to a team operation. I'd rather drive for someone initially then get my own truck. We are very interested in having our own truck but I'd rather be sure of what I'm doing before making such a large investment.
OK, I'll stop there for now and ask more later.
Don't know where I'm going, but there's no sense being late
_____________________________________________________________________
RichM
Charter Member
826 posts
20 feedbacks
36 points 1. "RE: curious with lots of questions"
Feb-22-04, 10:03 AM (EST)
In response to message #0
I will try to give you some answers that you can live with. The biggest drawback to expediting is exactly what the word expedite means. It is not unusual to get a call at 9PM or on Saturday afternoon for a shipment that must be picked up now.
Once you wife gets her CDL license and you can operate as a team you should have no problems getting on with any of the companies that advertise on this site. Teams are always in demand, especially with the new HOS regulations. You can look in the classified section of EO for an owner that is looking for drivers or get in touch with the recruiters of the Expediting Companies. They usually know who is looking for drivers.
If you are willing to stay out 3-4 weeks as you said that is a plus for an owner.
I would say the main areas of the country for expediting freight is the Eastern half of the USA. The Raleigh area is a pretty decent location to operate out of, lots of Automotive freight moving to Ohio, Michigan etc. You might want to consider staying with the semi truck operation instead of a straight truck, this gives you more flexibility to carry loads then a straight truck.
Good luck.
RichM
Charter Member
826 posts
20 feedbacks
36 points 2. "RE: curious with lots of questions"
Feb-22-04, 10:07 AM (EST)
In response to message #1
One other thing is that most shipments are on a straight through basis, meaning the shipment is picked up at a specific time and delivered by a specific time. The expediting companies will usually quote times based on an average speed of 45-55 mph. So there isn’t much time to stop other then fuel and food.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacel
Charter Member
945 posts
27 feedbacks
32 points 3. "RE: curious with lots of questions"
Feb-22-04, 10:21 AM (EST)
In response to message #0
Reply with quote
First let me say that it's nice to find a site that seems to focus on answering questions instead of putting people down. Thanks for the kudos! There are all types of forums, and Yes! Most of the ones I found do ridicule and bash a new comer. This forum along with a handful of others are decent and do respect the poster. I'm a member of another trucking board (concentrating mainly on OTR freight hauling) that I really like but it took forever to find it and now it seems I've found another one that is as good (I won't mention the name of the other board unless asked to respect the owners/moderators of this board). Thanks for the respect! Okay now to why I'm here.
I've been driving OTR for about 15 months now in a KW T-2000 with a 72" condo sleeper pulling a 53' dry van. I like driving and I'm earning a fairly good living but I've been looking at the expediting world and wonder if it's the way to go. Of coarse we expediters are going to tell you that YES!!! It is the way to go. I don’t think I have to tell you trucking is a way of life. Well Expediting is too! Expediting is much faster than regular trucking. I mean the loads are hot and needed to be there yesterday, and you have to get it there now. You are the only one that can really answer this question. I'm a solo driver but my wife rides with me and is interested in going to school and getting her Class A CDL, now for the hard part, the questions.
What are the typical freight lanes? Most of the northeast and the eastern part of the Midwest, are your basic lanes, The southeast also has some good lanes. I'd be interested in driving a straight truck with at least a 72" sleeper. That’s easy to do. Most of the expediting is done in straight trucks with nice size sleepers.
What is the normal time out? I typically stay out 3 weeks at a shot, That again depends on you. The longer you are out the more money you can make. The average is about the same as you are doing now sure I'd love a job that I could be home on weekends but that's not always a reality. Who wouldn’t love an expediting job like that? Of coarse there are those lucky few that can do this. How about home every night??? LOVE IT!!!
What are the avg. miles per week that I'd be looking at? That is one I can’t answer on experience because I don’t drive a D-unit. Most of the D-units I know and talk to average from 25oo to 6000 if running a team Right now my avg. for the past year is in the 2700 to 2800 miles per week. think most single drivers are doing that too.
What are the best areas to live in to get into the expediting world? We currently live in Raleigh, NC I don’t think this is that big a deal. Unless you want to go home all the time and won’t wait on a trip in that direction. You happen to live in a very good location to be doing expedite work. Most will say it is best to live near the company you work for. NC is an easy in and easy out location. and I don't plan on moving anytime soon and if I do move it would be farther south. I take it you aren’t fond of the cold?
In expedited freight are the trip times reasonable? yes! What I mean is do they give you enough time to make the runs legally or do you have to perform miracles to get the loads delivered on time. At times you may get some smart #$% dispatcher that wants you to bust your butt. Most of the expedite companies base their delivery time on the 45MPH rule. When they set things up with a customer that is the MPH they use to establish the time the load should be there. There is always an exception to every rule, but no one is going to force you to break the law. I try to run legal because I value my CDL, I know this limits the miles that I could get but in the long run it's cheaper then the fines or loss of my CDL. Running compliant is the only way to go!!!
How do I find an O/O that would hire me and possibly allow me to train my wife after she goes through school so we could go from a solo to a team operation. This site has a classified section that gets results. It is one of the best FREE services anyone can ask for. You can place an ad in there or maybe call some of the expedite companies and ask them. Owners also use the classified section looking for drivers. I use it all the time and have had great success in the responses when placing ads in it.(Not to get you readers of track, but I have a great service ad in the classified section right now, check it out!!! The link is at the bottom of this post.) I'd rather drive for someone initially then get my own truck. That is a smart move. Most advice I see given is for a newbie to drive for someone else for at least 6 months before investing your own money. This will give you some time to decide if this is the life you want or not. It is much easier to walk away from a driving position than it is if you own your own truck. We are very interested in having our own truck but I'd rather be sure of what I'm doing before making such a large investment.
OK, I'll stop there for now and ask more later. Welcome to the site and again thanks for the Kudos!!!
http://www.expeditersonline.com/cgi...&results_format=long&db_id=74&query=retrieval
Sorry for being so clumsy!!!!!!!
__________________________________________________________________________________
nightshift
Member since Feb-22-04
1 posts
Feb-22-04, 09:08 AM (EST)
First let me say that it's nice to find a site that seems to focus on answering questions instead of putting people down. I'm a member of another trucking board (concentrating mainly on OTR freight hauling) that I really like but it took forever to find it and now it seems I've found another one that is as good (I won't mention the name of the other board unless asked to respect the owners/moderators of this board). Okay now to why I'm here.
I've been driving OTR for about 15 months now in a KW T-2000 with a 72" condo sleeper pulling a 53' dry van. I like driving and I'm earning a fairly good living but I've been looking at the expediting world and wonder if it's the way to go. I'm a solo driver but my wife rides with me and is interested in going to school and getting her Class A CDL, now for the hard part, the questions.
What are the typical freight lanes? I'd be interested in driving a straight truck with at least a 72" sleeper.
What is the normal time out? I typically stay out 3 weeks at a shot, sure I'd love a job that I could be home on weekends but that's not always a reality.
What are the avg. miles per week that I'd be looking at? Right now my avg. for the past year is in the 2700 to 2800 miles per week.
What are the best areas to live in to get into the expediting world? We currently live in Raleigh, NC and I don't plan on moving anytime soon and if I do move it would be farther south.
In expedited freight are the trip times reasonable? What I mean is do they give you enough time to make the runs legally or do you have to perform miracles to get the loads delivered on time. I try to run legal because I value my CDL, I know this limits the miles that I could get but in the long run it's cheaper then the fines or loss of my CDL.
How do I find a O/O that would hire me and possibly allow me to train my wife after she goes through school so we could go from a solo to a team operation. I'd rather drive for someone initially then get my own truck. We are very interested in having our own truck but I'd rather be sure of what I'm doing before making such a large investment.
OK, I'll stop there for now and ask more later.
Don't know where I'm going, but there's no sense being late
_____________________________________________________________________
RichM
Charter Member
826 posts
20 feedbacks
36 points 1. "RE: curious with lots of questions"
Feb-22-04, 10:03 AM (EST)
In response to message #0
I will try to give you some answers that you can live with. The biggest drawback to expediting is exactly what the word expedite means. It is not unusual to get a call at 9PM or on Saturday afternoon for a shipment that must be picked up now.
Once you wife gets her CDL license and you can operate as a team you should have no problems getting on with any of the companies that advertise on this site. Teams are always in demand, especially with the new HOS regulations. You can look in the classified section of EO for an owner that is looking for drivers or get in touch with the recruiters of the Expediting Companies. They usually know who is looking for drivers.
If you are willing to stay out 3-4 weeks as you said that is a plus for an owner.
I would say the main areas of the country for expediting freight is the Eastern half of the USA. The Raleigh area is a pretty decent location to operate out of, lots of Automotive freight moving to Ohio, Michigan etc. You might want to consider staying with the semi truck operation instead of a straight truck, this gives you more flexibility to carry loads then a straight truck.
Good luck.
RichM
Charter Member
826 posts
20 feedbacks
36 points 2. "RE: curious with lots of questions"
Feb-22-04, 10:07 AM (EST)
In response to message #1
One other thing is that most shipments are on a straight through basis, meaning the shipment is picked up at a specific time and delivered by a specific time. The expediting companies will usually quote times based on an average speed of 45-55 mph. So there isn’t much time to stop other then fuel and food.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Teacel
Charter Member
945 posts
27 feedbacks
32 points 3. "RE: curious with lots of questions"
Feb-22-04, 10:21 AM (EST)
In response to message #0
Reply with quote
First let me say that it's nice to find a site that seems to focus on answering questions instead of putting people down. Thanks for the kudos! There are all types of forums, and Yes! Most of the ones I found do ridicule and bash a new comer. This forum along with a handful of others are decent and do respect the poster. I'm a member of another trucking board (concentrating mainly on OTR freight hauling) that I really like but it took forever to find it and now it seems I've found another one that is as good (I won't mention the name of the other board unless asked to respect the owners/moderators of this board). Thanks for the respect! Okay now to why I'm here.
I've been driving OTR for about 15 months now in a KW T-2000 with a 72" condo sleeper pulling a 53' dry van. I like driving and I'm earning a fairly good living but I've been looking at the expediting world and wonder if it's the way to go. Of coarse we expediters are going to tell you that YES!!! It is the way to go. I don’t think I have to tell you trucking is a way of life. Well Expediting is too! Expediting is much faster than regular trucking. I mean the loads are hot and needed to be there yesterday, and you have to get it there now. You are the only one that can really answer this question. I'm a solo driver but my wife rides with me and is interested in going to school and getting her Class A CDL, now for the hard part, the questions.
What are the typical freight lanes? Most of the northeast and the eastern part of the Midwest, are your basic lanes, The southeast also has some good lanes. I'd be interested in driving a straight truck with at least a 72" sleeper. That’s easy to do. Most of the expediting is done in straight trucks with nice size sleepers.
What is the normal time out? I typically stay out 3 weeks at a shot, That again depends on you. The longer you are out the more money you can make. The average is about the same as you are doing now sure I'd love a job that I could be home on weekends but that's not always a reality. Who wouldn’t love an expediting job like that? Of coarse there are those lucky few that can do this. How about home every night??? LOVE IT!!!
What are the avg. miles per week that I'd be looking at? That is one I can’t answer on experience because I don’t drive a D-unit. Most of the D-units I know and talk to average from 25oo to 6000 if running a team Right now my avg. for the past year is in the 2700 to 2800 miles per week. think most single drivers are doing that too.
What are the best areas to live in to get into the expediting world? We currently live in Raleigh, NC I don’t think this is that big a deal. Unless you want to go home all the time and won’t wait on a trip in that direction. You happen to live in a very good location to be doing expedite work. Most will say it is best to live near the company you work for. NC is an easy in and easy out location. and I don't plan on moving anytime soon and if I do move it would be farther south. I take it you aren’t fond of the cold?
In expedited freight are the trip times reasonable? yes! What I mean is do they give you enough time to make the runs legally or do you have to perform miracles to get the loads delivered on time. At times you may get some smart #$% dispatcher that wants you to bust your butt. Most of the expedite companies base their delivery time on the 45MPH rule. When they set things up with a customer that is the MPH they use to establish the time the load should be there. There is always an exception to every rule, but no one is going to force you to break the law. I try to run legal because I value my CDL, I know this limits the miles that I could get but in the long run it's cheaper then the fines or loss of my CDL. Running compliant is the only way to go!!!
How do I find an O/O that would hire me and possibly allow me to train my wife after she goes through school so we could go from a solo to a team operation. This site has a classified section that gets results. It is one of the best FREE services anyone can ask for. You can place an ad in there or maybe call some of the expedite companies and ask them. Owners also use the classified section looking for drivers. I use it all the time and have had great success in the responses when placing ads in it.(Not to get you readers of track, but I have a great service ad in the classified section right now, check it out!!! The link is at the bottom of this post.) I'd rather drive for someone initially then get my own truck. That is a smart move. Most advice I see given is for a newbie to drive for someone else for at least 6 months before investing your own money. This will give you some time to decide if this is the life you want or not. It is much easier to walk away from a driving position than it is if you own your own truck. We are very interested in having our own truck but I'd rather be sure of what I'm doing before making such a large investment.
OK, I'll stop there for now and ask more later. Welcome to the site and again thanks for the Kudos!!!
http://www.expeditersonline.com/cgi...&results_format=long&db_id=74&query=retrieval
We are formulating more questions to ask, but we are out on the road right now and time has been the enemy the last few days.