Email copy I sent to Panther....

[Skyburner]

The following was sent to Mr Walter at Panther two times, I never received a reply, and the messages did not bounce, so I know they were delivered.




Dear Mr. Walter,

I read with great interest your recruiting pamphlet I have received from Panther.

Before I run out and spend several thousands of dollars on a rig, maybe you can help me understand a few things about Panther, and how your system works. I'm considering purchasing a 24ft truck, with air brakes, and air ride suspension. I am currently a CDL B license holder, with a current medical card valid until 2003.

Can you please explain the following issues, and how the rates are calculated:

Deadhead compensation
Detention compensation
Loaded layover compensation
Minimum compensation
Stop-off compensation
What incentive programs are in place

Can I take myself "out of service" at any time?
If I refuse a load, will I be placed "on the bottom of the list"?
Will I ever be subject to "discounted freight"?
If I sign with Panther, am I leased exclsively to Panther?
What is a "trip pak"?
What sizes of vehicles are getting the most loads?
Who is responsible for the installation, and costs of the satellite communications system that would be placed in my vehicle?
How soon are settlements paid after delivery of loads?

Can you please supply contact information for at least 10 current or former contractors.

Thanks in advance, all the best.

END

 

[Olko]

RE: Email copy I sent to Panther

The problems I see with your letter. :7


>I read with great interest your recruiting pamphlet I have
>received from Panther.

Problem #1 You can read, and this would indicate some form of intelligence. :7

>Before I run out and spend several thousands of dollars on a
>rig, maybe you can help me understand a few things about
>Panther, and how your system works. I'm considering
>purchasing a 24ft truck, with air brakes, and air ride
>suspension. I am currently a CDL B license holder, with a
>current medical card valid until 2003.

Problem #2 Here, once again you are showing signs of intelligence, and you might cause problems in the future. :7


>Can you please explain the following issues, and how the
>rates are calculated:

Problem #3 Now you are asking for signs of intelligence from them. :7


>Deadhead compensation
>Detention compensation
>Loaded layover compensation
>Minimum compensation
>Stop-off compensation
>What incentive programs are in place

Problem #4 These programs are constantly changing, and no one is sure what they are now. Also it has really become noticable that you are concerned about YOUR pay. Also see problem #2 :7


>Can I take myself "out of service" at any time?

Problem #5 You are indicating that you plan to take some time and have a life. :7


>If I refuse a load, will I be placed "on the bottom of the
>list"?

Problem #6 Well this is not really a problem because it is showing a lack of understanding about how dispatch really works. It would be best to just assume that you will always be "on the bottom of the list" right below the dispatchers favorites and let us not forget the fleet owners trucks that they want to keep happy. :7


>Will I ever be subject to "discounted freight"?

Problem #7 Again this is not really a problem, and is making you sound better to Panther, but really every load you haul will be discounted compared to the guy who is running under the old rates. Maybe the fact that you are running for a cheaper rate will help you get more loads. :7


>If I sign with Panther, am I leased exclsively to Panther?

Problem #8 Almost all companies have this provision in the lease, it is sounding once again like you might be a trouble maker. :7


>What is a "trip pak"?

Problem #9 I can't think of anything for this, so I will have to give you a straight answer. TripPak is a system that is set up for getting your paperwork back to your company. It consists of a drop box that can be found at most large TruckStops as well as many of the smaller ones. The trips from many companies are placed in the box, then they are collected and forwarded on to the individual companies. Most of the companies do charge you for this service. :7


>What sizes of vehicles are getting the most loads?

Problem #10 Once you buy a vehicle, you will find out that you should have bought the other size you were thinking about. :7


>Who is responsible for the installation, and costs of the
>satellite communications system that would be placed in my
>vehicle?

Problem #11 Who do you think is going to pay for the installation that they have done at a shop of their picking. Let's not forget the weekly charge for the use of the system. You forgot to ask about a charge for the signs. A personal note from my own experience, those big old signs look nice but are a bear to get off. :7


>How soon are settlements paid after delivery of loads?

Problem #12 Legally you are supposed to be paid either 14 or 15 days, (my memory is fading from all those deisel fumes) after you submit your completed paperwork to the company. For some reason when I was at Panther, and I questioned them about why my pay was so late in coming, I was told "We don't care if it is legal, and if you don't like it, LEAVE" I left. You may have rattled some nerves there by asking this question. :7


>Can you please supply contact information for at least 10
>current or former contractors.

Problem #13 This question probably killed any hopes you ever had of getting a response from Panther. Now why would you want to contact former contractors. The Red Lights were flashing and the Alarms were going off when they read this question. :7

>Thanks in advance, all the best.
>
> END


I feel that the most likely reasons for your not getting the response you requested, were mainly because you showed to much intelligence, to be a pawn in their company. You are not Panther material, you want time off, you question how and when you will be paid, and what you will be charged for. Another problem is that you do not already own a truck that you can not pay for, and they already have a steady supply of desperate Owner Operators to decieve. You still have questions that you have not even asked of them, such as, how much will the ins for the truck be, and just what it covers, how about the required Workers Comp type ins you will have to buy, and the big one, how much of YOUR money will they be holding for escrow, ins deposit, Qualcom ins, or whatever they call these things now. It used to be over $2500 for those things, I don't know what it is now.

Good Luck in your decision

 

[teacel]

RE: Email copy

Do youself a favor, get a real job. This isn't a very good time to get into this sort of thing. Every big player out there is making total asses out of the O/O's and if someone needs the money, then they just sit back and let it happen!
Be the better person and take some go advice!
Thanks, Tony
[email protected]}>

 

[M3]

Skyburner,

Did you receive a reply from Panther2 yet?? Keep us posted on any progress in contact.

 

[Skyburner]

I never received a reply.

BTW, recruiters who are reading this, it was not my intention to "scare" off potential clients. I am only concerned with having some very simple questions answered. I'm in this to make $$$ too, so you can understand why it would be foolish for me to shoot myself in the foot.

I have not bought my rig yet, and I do research when time permits.

So far, my plan is to purchase a used rig, still under warranty, with about 50% down, so I'm able to get out of it with minimal damage.

Comments?