Every company wants teams,what about a solo driver

HoboOfTheHwy · Aug 12, 2006

I have applied to Epes Express,and Expediter Services,because the recruiters at the Expedite Expo,said that they were hiring.Only if you are a team,I found out after the fact.It's funny,if you browse through the Expedite Now magazine,you come up to Epes Express ad hiring for company drivers.They are not,so I am told. Just teams or O/O.So isn't that false advertising ? I think I will contact OOIDA,about this.I would like to know...where does the solo driver stand? No one wants a solo driver anymore ! Are we just chopped liver? Can we not do the same job? It may be that we can't keep the truck running like a team,but we can drive and get the freight there.We deserve a chance ! This p*sses me off !

ACE · Aug 12, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

The Hours of service make it hard for a solo driver to be available for long runs.
I think companies prefer team units because it is easier for dispatch. When they have a team truck available they can say to the customer we have units available and not worry about the driver having enough hours to do the run. This enables them to accept the load.

davekc · Aug 12, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

Ace's response is right on target. Additionally because of the HOS it makes a solo unprofitable for many operations. For me personally, our fleet is compromised of newer trucks and a solo operation just doesn't cover enough of the operating costs to make it profitable.
Since they can't stop the 14 hour clock once they do anything, you get into a cycle of running only every other day.
As a
If I ran older equipment, then it could be a possible option.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

jeffman164 · Aug 16, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

Everybody has their own idea of what is profitable , but if someone drives an older truck, and is aggressive, would have to assume that they would be profitable. Maybe I'm wrong , but have always heard that a solo driver will make more than if with a team. Not talking about what the truch will make - talking about what a solol driver will make.

LDB · Aug 16, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

If you look at the numbers FX provides the solo makes well over 1/2 as much as teams in all categories if memory serves me correctly. I think their teams are showing around 1.8 times solo. As the truck owner that's preferred. As the drivers each making .9 times solo that's not as good. Now if it's a husband/wife team so it all goes into the same pot it's better although if they were each out solo in their own trucks theoretically they'd earn 11-12% more.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Jayman · Aug 16, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

Just think how much money you would save as a solo driver too. If I had to ride around/live with some body that drove me insane...I would be spending a lot of money on alcohol, anti depressants, and psycho therapist fees! LOL

Mileater · Aug 16, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

I don't agree with the original post, it's not all company's that demand teams. Only the ones trying to get every penny out of the truck and rip off the drivers with lower pay. Teams should get X 2 at least but from what I've seen this is not the case. The worst one that called me was CRST which only uses team drivers and they pay .44 CPM, but wait now you have to divide that by 2 so you get a whopping .22 CPM= slave wages, no thanks.

Actually in my mind they should pay more than x 2 for teams because you have the inconvenience of sharing a closet size sleeper with Bubba for the rest of your career life. Not only that but you are in the truck rolling even when you're not driving or sleeping giving yourself twice the risk of getting killed on the job. No offense to team drivers, if you can do it then great, but you should be compensated for it better.

X1_SRH · Aug 16, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

Don't get mad so quickly (patience will make or break you as an expediter). There are plenty of opportunities for a solo driver and/or Owner Operator in this business. Those opportunities can only be found by doing your research and making your phone calls. Remember, you'll never find the treasure if you quit digging. (Old Pirate saying....

Don't give up.

Scott

Night_Runner36 · Aug 29, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

as to the topic and with Me being a new expediter Myself, I am not sure about it all I know is at the company I drive for there seems to be just as many solo's as teams and all of us seem to be busy I myself have only been doing this since june of this year but I have driven a truck in some part of all My jobs since 1976 and I find this way of life to be Great...My dream is to one day Own My Own truck and that will come but for now I drive for a Great fleet owner /partner and as far as I know thats all he has is solo's the only thing that makes Me chuckle is how some of the Big Boys as I call them dont talk to Us stright guys ....it's like we arent seen I just smile and keep on rollin along and smileing as each settlement comes in I use to drive has a team and for awhile it was great till My co driver desided that they were to sick to drive and I ended up driving the whole 2800 mile route Myself while they laid in the sleeper sleeping ....then the next time they would forget to do the laying something on the drivers seat when they got out of the truck at a stop and I was 250 miles down the road when they came out only to find Me and the truck no where around and call saying were you at ....lol and I would say catch a greyhound has you kinow as well as I know the load has to be there on time ...thats when I said no more team for Me and I wont go back to team if I can do 2800 miles alone in two days why do I need a team ..ok so it isnt legal but the load comes first in My eyes and I'll do what ever it takes to do My job 1000% and with a smile because I Love My job and thia way of Life driving has always been go to Me and My family....and the job always is there to take Me to the next beautiful place on Gods beautiful planet.....stay safe and smile My fellow drivers and dont forget to say hello to your fellow drivers even if they dont say hello back to you

Broompilot · Aug 29, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

Its a catch 22, but no way in this industry am I running with someone else and share the income. Its only a matter of time before one bails, just not enough long runs to keep two people in a decent income (taxable) bracket.

My standards for income may be a little higher but no way when I see these ads for $60K for drivers am I gona lower my standards, and teams cannot in Expediting make this kinda of income. I have yet to meet one myself. Sitting for days on end with someone else in a closet no thanks not for me. So if it comes down to being forced to being a team, all I have to say is it was nice meeting you all.

And yes I have talked to some of these drivers (solo) who run like we do or out as long as we are, Interstate comes to mind, and a 60K pay check is very common, just one example.

LDB · Aug 29, 2006

RE: Every company wants teams,what about a solo dr

There are companies that hire solos. Express-1 is one good company that does and Panther is another. There are others besides those. Keep contacting companies and you'll find one that suits you.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.