Emergency Hometime....

TeamBud8 · Nov 1, 2006

I had a real bad time last week,with all the wind.Then a stone hit my windshield and cracked it all the way across,from right to left. Then I got a call from home.Someone thought they needed my help from home,so being in Indy,I went home,after midnight,last Wednesday.Thursday morning I get a call,the owner wondering why I am home.He said the weekend doesn't start,until Friday night. I guess he just wasn't happy with what I had to tell him,why I was home.Then again he never is happy.If it happens to be a bad week,Oh,I gotta sell the van.Crap like that is hogwash ! He says I never make him any money.I guess 1800 miles a week is not enough. For me either,but you gotta take what ya get.MUST EXPLAIN WHY MAINTENANCE NEVER GETS DONE.I can only drive what the Good Lord,and the dispatchers give me.I tried to do the 60/40 split but guess he won't allow that.He pays by the mile.What sucks...bonus miles I don't get.Why should I drive hundreds of miles,for free? I know that was my fault to accept that.In the beginning the owner said he would leave me alone,and let me run the van like it was my own. HA HA HA ! He loves to track me,call me telling me where I am.I'm 44 yrs old,I don't need a baby sitter ! Who wants to be treated that way? I may be looking else where.
Anyways, as I see it family comes first.So what whether it was my girlfriend and her kids.Family is family. Thanks for listening !

cheri1122 · Nov 1, 2006

It sounds as if you need to be looking for some greener grass...And with the next owner, try to be clear about expectations, preferably having them in writing, and good luck.

Tennesseahawk · Nov 2, 2006

Sounds like the grass is dead. There are plenty of good owners out there. The guy I run for is the best one yet. My only problem is I can never get hold of him. LOL

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

Broompilot · Nov 4, 2006

Very typical of Van Owners. Bought more payment than income can bring in, yet they do not want to work themselves and blame the drivers who if they would look at what they are paying them, would be very easy to understand why they are broke as well.

This business will not support a Van Owner, and a Driver to support a household, let alone make the payments and than have a profit.

WHEN WILL PEOPLE GET THIS? I guess never...

Jayman · Nov 4, 2006

All of what has been said so far (and some stuff that hasnt been said) is the reason I wont enter the biz as a driver for somebody else. Anytime you work for the other guy, you end up losing or giving up things I want to feel satisfied. Control and money. No matter what biz it is...people in ownership are the ones who make the real money. Plus, they are the ones that make the rules. Down with the man, power to the people! lol

Making a jump into the biz like that will have its challenges. But, I have somebody in mind who may be willing to give me some on the job training (OJT) to supplement my 2 years of research. He is also an o/o with the carrier I am most interested in at the present. He would probably be willing to take me on as a driver but I dont want that and he knows my plans. Besides, he is a good guy and I dont want to mislead him into thinking I was going to be with him for a while. Soaking him for experience would be selfish on my part. So, I will just offer to pay him a little for some OJT. That kind of training is worth something and it may be better for both of us versus me driving for him temporarily.

Paul56 · Nov 5, 2006

>All of what has been said so far (and some stuff that hasnt
>been said) is the reason I wont enter the biz as a driver
>for somebody else. Anytime you work for the other guy, you
>end up losing or giving up things I want to feel satisfied.
>Control and money. No matter what biz it is...people in
>ownership are the ones who make the real money. Plus, they
>are the ones that make the rules. Down with the man, power
>to the people! lol
>

Not every driver gets stuck with a bad fleet or truck owner. It is necessary to check out the fleet owner before jumping aboard, much as they will be checking you out.

The owner is expected to make a profit, if they don't then there is no reason to be in business. They have assumed the risk and responsibility, purchased the equipment, and pay the associated expenses.

I'm all for folks moving ahead with their own business plans, but that isn't for everyone. I certainly cannot recommend someone new to the business to start out by purchasing their own truck, even with their finances in complete order.

Do they really want to be saddled with a depreciating piece of equipment when they decide 6 months down the road trucking isn't for them? Do they really want to be under that kind of pressure? My opinion only, but I think it is better to give yourself an easy way out at the outset while also building on your knowledge of the industry.

Jayman · Nov 5, 2006

Paul,

All of what you said is true. I may talk to my pal and see if he will let me drive for him 2 or 3 months. That probably isnt what most owners want. But, who knows. He may be in a pinch to get somebody behind the wheel and I would be buying him some time to get a driver that plans on being with him long term.

Jay

Broompilot · Nov 5, 2006

Paul as in any business venture..... You do not get in with the plan if does not work out....than what.. This is a diasaster plan for escape.

If anyone intrested in this field has the least bit notion if it does not work out Ill just exit. Than do yourself a favor DO NOT DO THIS.... Want to make $ real $ than put your heart and soul into this not this ##### footin well maybee like Pual it.

Be serious this is big business and takes a strong committment to make a living at it. If not than go to work for an O/O and make a measley income and complaine back here on how little you are making and the hourly rate is below $3.00 an hour. Otherwise make a committment and make it happen.

I DID!!!!!

Jayman you got the right attitude, wrong direction for entering but the right attitude find a different direction if this is what you want to do. But once you decide than do it. Paul how long until you leave us?????

Jayman · Nov 6, 2006

Broom,

I take your opinions to heart. I will be cautious about how I enter the biz. But...I know the decision I make are santioned by God. I spend a lot of time praying and think about big decisions like this a lot. In my 39yrs...God has led me right so far. I do appreciate your point of view. I believe God places people such as yourself in my path to help me see what he has for me. My entry into the biz is a few months off. So, things are still being "refined". I am very thankful for this website. I would be so lost without you all. I wont mentioned names for I am afraid of leaving sombody out. But, if you have talked to me in any forum...I know you and appreciate you. I may not agree with all your polital views...but, I know you are good people and are willing to help me. If I have the chance to help you...I will certainly do so. When I get in the biz, I will make an announcement about who my carrier is and what truck I am driving. That way you can say hello if you see me.

Jay
aka Jayman

LDB · Nov 6, 2006

While I agree that any business or profession should be entered with a positive attitude and conviction it will be made to work I disagree with the idea of not having some form of exit strategy or contingency plan. Circumstances don't always follow our desired plan and Murphy materializes at awkward and unwanted moments.

What I am suggesting is to plan carefully and when reviewing options A or B if option B creates a situation where you are almost guaranteed to never have negative equity in your truck it should be considered very heavily. If a family member has a health event that required you to leave the road and be home for a year or two then you can sell the truck and put a few bucks into your pocket versus option A where you sell and owe a few thousand more out of pocket. If you are injured like one of the wonderful couples who previously frequented the forum you need an exit plan in place.

Plan to succeed. Don't enter this or any business without preparing to do it for the remainder of your working career. Be positive and excitied about whatever it is. Be as certain as you can be that it's really in a class by itself and for you to do anything else is settling. All that said, be informed enough and prepared enough to handle whatever life may throw at you. That means knowing what to do to exit this business in the best financial condition possible as well as what option 2 is that you will be forced to settle on.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

DannyD · Nov 12, 2006

>Very typical of Van Owners. Bought more payment than income
>can bring in, yet they do not want to work themselves and
>blame the drivers who if they would look at what they are
>paying them, would be very easy to understand why they are
>broke as well.
>
>This business will not support a Van Owner, and a Driver to
>support a household, let alone make the payments and than
>have a profit.
>
>WHEN WILL PEOPLE GET THIS? I guess never...

Broom said this very well. I'm chiming in my 2 cents here to reinforce the point. A cargo van in this industry will NOT support 2 people from seperate households. It can be fine for a father/son, husband/wife, etc. They can drive as a team & make more though.

It won't support enough two households though. Especially when the driver is a solo.

Think of it this way:

A van that brings in $50,000 is doing pretty well.

At a 60/40 split you're looking at 30,000. You pay the gas. To make 50K at 80 cents/mile you're going to have to drive 62,500 loaded miles. Lets say you do very little DH & 70,000 total miles will get you 62,500 paid miles.

Your truck gets good mileage. 18 per gallon. That's 3888 gallons.

If gas averages $2.40 gallon, you're going to be spending $9331 in gas. That comes right off the top of your $30000. You're now at $20669 before any other expenses. Right there you're averaging $400/week & you're on the road all the time. If you're on the road all week that's 168 hours. Your hourly rate is about $2.40/hour. I doubt anyone who's a US citizen is gonna be to happy w/ that kind of pay.

The above is a better case scenario. Not the absolute best case, but a better case than what's likely to happen.

The owner of the van makes $20,000. He's got a 400 van payment, 100 insurance payment. Right off the top he's down to $14,000 year before any other expenses. That's $280 week to set aside for any repairs or other expenses. Not a whole lot for him either.

Again, that's a better case scenario. Odds are the truck won't do that well. So for both owner & driver the chances of this being something that makes both parties happy are pretty slim.

Broom nailed it spot on. Don't drive for someone in a cargo van & don't invest in a cargo van thinking you're going to find a driver who will make any money for ya. Neither will make anything & both will be frustrated. Partnerships like this are a recipe for disaster.

Take care,
Danny

ATeam · Nov 12, 2006

I agree with Broompilot's belief that committment is essential to success. Any business endeavor is a heart and soul activity. As a business owner, fleet driver or owner operator, your committment will carry you through some rough spots that would turn less-committed people away. And making it through the rough spots may be what it takes to carry you to the level of success you seek.

However, by itself and not balanced by other contributors to success, committment can lead you to ruin. Broompilot entered expediting with previous self-employment and small business experience. While he may be one of the most committed people out there, he also jumped in with a skill set that is also essential for success.

On the battlefield, infantry officers try not to committ all their resources. Indeed, officers are trained to avoid becoming decisively engaged and keep resources in reserve. That is a good lesson to follow in expediting. While you have a particular outcome in mind, you do not know what will happen after the battle starts, so keep some resources in reserve and understand that your plan is nothing more than a something to which changes will be made.

While you can jump in as fully prepared as you can possibly be, and have the most positive attittude and most committed heart on the battlefield, circumstances may develop that make a tactical retreat the best course of action...so you can live to fight another day and be better prepared for the next event.