EO Graduate

[Robsdad]

After over 2 months of reading every post on this site and following a lot of advice from many it is time. My son and I will be leasing on to Panther II on WED of next week. I have about 12 years O/O Tracotr/Trailer experience but Expediting will be a new challange. We have purchased a used truck (2005) with a good maintenance record with 300k warranty on the engine/transmission/rear. I have put back a decent sum of $ for the learning curve. We have even bought a good lock,lol. I know we will need advice from time to time from all, however I would like to say thank you for those of you who have posted here and have emailed me personally for all of your help. We hope to meet you guys at some time or other and buy you a cup.
Well thanks again for all the good reads.
Darrell & Rob
Robsdad

 

[jaminjim]

Good luck!

 

[Robsdad]

Thank you. Like my Dad always said "The harder I work the luckier I get"
Stay safe and hope to buy you a cup some day.
Darrell & Rob

 

[ATeam]

One of the best things you can do for yourself is identify a seasoned Panther driver or two that you have confidence in. Ask them if it would be OK for you to call them two or three times for advice. After a few runs in the Panther system, and maybe before, you will have some good questions to ask. What will be new for you is routine for them. Their answers will speed your climb up the learning curve.

 

[Robsdad]

A Team:
Have read many of your post. They are appreciated. I really know noone at Panther with the exception of the recruiter I have talked to. My son and I are God fearing people that know what it is to work for a living. We could use the help if anyone out there would care to share some time with two learners just email me and I will read and call you to listen. Again thanks to all for your help to this point.
Thanks

 

[Dreamer]

Good luck Robsdad! Just keep asking your questions on here, and as Ateam said, it's good to find another successful Panther driver to mentor you. As you go along in this career, you'll make contacts in person, as well as on here, and you'll see who's successful, and who's not.



Dreamer
Forums Administrator


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[are12]

Here is one piece of advice you can use right from the start -STAY AWAY FROM ANYONE WITH A NEGATIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT EXPEDITING!!!

When we 1st started with Panther, we met a team and ended up spending the whole weekend with them. We had a great time and learned alot from them, even though they were in a tractor and us in a D unit.

You will run into driver's that are having a tough time making it in this business and they will not have a good thing to say - especially if they also run for Panther. Just ignore them and find another driver that will be helpful. This job is tough enough without listening to someone b****ing all the time.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us and we will try and help you out.


Welcome aboard and good luck!!

 

[Robsdad]

One thing I am confused about is loading boards. I read the other day a driver was talking about being in a location where he could be on two boards at the same time. How do you know where the boards are?
Do they give you a map with locations of loading boards? May be a stupid question but I am truly confused here.

 

[Broompilot]

Keep Reading Rob.

I am still waiting for Terry, Rich, Dreamer, to sign my Diploma.

I am use to being sent to the Principals office only to run into Tennessee Hawk. He always has a pass to skip class, they catch me everytime I do something wrong. (Daily)

Nothings changed since High School just the names.

 

[Robsdad]

Thanks broom. With all of your post I'm sure you've got a handle on it. My main issue is loading boards. I need help in this area. Keep hearing about them. Just don't know where to find em.

 

[LDB]

Load boards are what they call the areas they get the freight from. They are mostly major areas although there are some that are fairly small but have an industry that ships a lot. You will learn about them in orientation. I'm at the truckstops on i64 exit 25 near Haubstadt. From here there are 3 boards within 50 miles, Evansville IN, Henderson KY, and Owensboro KY. That puts me on 3 boards since 50 miles is the radius Panther uses. Some places will only be on 1 board and some places you won't be on a board at all without moving elsewhere. As you check reposition locations with macro 8 you'll learn where boards are and build your own map of preferred locations.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 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.

 

[Robsdad]

LDB
I live in this area. I live just south of Owensboro. Is this your home or are you just passing through? Thanks for the help.

 

[davekc]

Good luck on your new adventure with Panther. I wouldn't sweat the load board issue to much as mentioned. You will adapt quickly and there will be plenty of people to help you along the way.








Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[theoldprof]

Hi Robsdad.

What I did when first starting out in my van was to go to the "suggested move" after a load. When I got to the suggested move I would macro 8 and mark all the fleet locations on my Wally World atlas map. I would also mark down the average loads per day info. After a while I got quite an overview of all the freight boards. For example, if I got a suggested move to move to Columbus, IN, I would locate somewhere between Columbus and Indy. That way I was on two boards at the same time. Someone else said don't sweat the load boards. I would just accept the suggested moves until you got accustomed to the system. Good luck and drive safely.
:+ :+

 

[Robsdad]

Thanks Dave for the vote of confidence. I talked in length last nite with LDB by phone and he helped me a lot. I really thank all you guys for the help. You all gave me a lot of help without knowing it by my reading instead of posting. You learn a lot more just reading and listening. Hope to see all of you guys at some time. Got to go and catch up on the honey do list before I leave on Tuesday. Will check back this evening.
Stay SAFE all and Thanks Again
Robsdad

 

[Robsdad]

Well two days of school behind me and you are right, I read nothing on here to prepare me for all I have learned about expediting in the last two days. I hope my head can absorb it all. I am still very excited and positive about the weeks and years ahead. Will get out of school tomorrow and stand by for a suggested move or load. Hopefully a load.
Just thought I would check in and let everyone know the status. If you have advice I still have room in this spongy head for it I think.
Stay safe all and thanks again.
Robsdad

 

[nightcreacher]

no matter who you drive for in expedite,you must keep a positive attitude,dont be reading the cry baby reports,unless your just looking for a laugh. If you ever start getting negative,everything from that point will go down hill. Good luck to you,happy motoring

 

[Robsdad]

I hear you creature. But I am beginning to doubt my decision to lease to Panther. I do not believe they have mastered the art of teams. I have had two loads over 500 miles in 12 days. Not being negative just a little bewildered as to what the motive could be.
Well anyway I'll get off here before I really start to vent.
Stay Safe!
robsdad

 

[davekc]

I would be alittle patient with it. It will come around. Some of it may be where you are sitting. It takes alittle while to realize which customers have team freight, and the ones that don't.







Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[unorthodoxneon]

Yes be patient, i hear its kinda slow out there.

Also if you need any advice or some "panther friends" as said above dont be afraid to send me a PM or even an Instant message on Yahoo or AOL.

I try to give as much info as i can (that i know) to fellow drivers cause i know in classes they dont teach you much and most is learning on your own it seems.