Expediting 101

Wolf_Exp · May 7, 2005

Hey guys! Got my avaitor working now thanks to Lawrence :7 .

I was wondering -- what are you opinions on a school of expediting? They have trucking schools-- and schools for everything else. Plus with as much as you need to learn in expediting-- I was thinking a school may help.

What do you guys think?:+

Tennesseahawk · May 7, 2005

The problem with an expediting school is that every company runs differently. Orientations usually take care of all the basics, and the rest is experience.

raceman · May 8, 2005

THawk is pretty close to right on this. I was doing some teaching and was actually putting a video version together and actually stopped based on no big interest. You can cover the basics and I was trying to put my mapping program in a form that could be taught and used by all and that too got little interest.

I have a freind that is in a software business and has been working with me on and off for almost a year to get my freight mapping set up. He nor I have had much free time for many reasons but sooner or later I hope we get this finished and our goal is that it would work with a GPS or PC Miler etc.

I simply gave up on teaching for a few reasons and mainly because of personal business issues. Now I am driving full time so my direction has changed as well

Raceman
OTR O/O

x06col · May 8, 2005

I don't feel much can be schooled about this business, because, one thing for sure in this business - there ain't nothing for sure.

LDB · May 8, 2005

I would love to see a good guidebook that covers things like all the Canada hassles etc. however I was getting stir crazy toward the second day of orientation so I don't know about a school per se. If someone could come up with a guidebook that clearly explains split logging, Canada, etc. in a form any fifth grader could understand and follow they'd have something I think.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

JohnMueller · May 9, 2005

LDB;

Most of the better companies, in all areas of trucking, will provide a "Driver's or Contractor's Manual" at orientation to assist with all of these issues - some better than others.

Thanks,

HotFr8Recruiter

mhoy40 · May 14, 2005

only been doin this since end of oct 04 but i can say this soak in as much at orientation as your melon will take then u move on to the school of hard knocks trial and error are the only real school for this one other thing that i learned is talk to as many drivers as u can no matter what company they work for info is knowledge listen to them then evaluate what you think the validity of what they say is usally u will learn something from them espescilly the older guys thats the best school i can reccomend to u.

LDB · May 14, 2005

>LDB;
>
>Most of the better companies, in all areas of trucking, will
>provide a "Driver's or Contractor's Manual" at orientation
>to assist with all of these issues - some better than
>others.
>
>Thanks,
>
>HotFr8Recruiter

We got a manual and it is pretty good but it's sort of the 'reader's digest' version. I'd like to see something a little more detailed and more of a step by step than general overview. I do talk to other drivers some and that helps too.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

Robert Finney · May 17, 2005

Dear Sir:
Send me $2000.00. I will give you a lesson you won't soon forget that can be applied anywhere, including expediting.

Thank you,
finney

PS Make that cash, please, small bills, no serial numbers in sequence.

miko · May 17, 2005

I think one really learns the most by trial and error.
When I started, I had done some research, took alot of advice and info from my businesspartner, and the rest I learned on the road. No two days are alike, and no two situations are either. Now in my second year, I'd do things different if I was given another chance.

mvbn1 · May 17, 2005

OK LDB, I've started writting "Expediting for Dummies" ...and no, I won't be sharing any profits with anyone! :+ }>

Robert Finney · May 17, 2005

Such as?

mirangerman · May 17, 2005

> Such as?
Get a real OTR job w/ Schneider maybe ?

Robert Finney · May 18, 2005

Well, at least with Schneider you've got a reserved parking spot on the fuel island or scale. Things could be worse.

miko · May 18, 2005

I drove for Schneider years ago, gained some experience there and build my opinion. Not every driver at Schneider has a dream job either.

As far as the different things go, in my first year "the sky was blue and the gras was green". I thought I knew enough. Now in my second year, I learned more about companies, dispatch and their overall practices.

I might check out more companies, maybe a little closer.
I might set up things differently, but I guess that refers more or less to a personal opinion.

One can certainly not know everything in the first year, or make the right decisions. Better opportunities may come along. I find myself in a situation now, where there are things that I don't like the way they are. But I can't change them, so I have to make the best of it.(Insurance, Vehicle etc.)

I think it takes a few years to learn and make better decisions along the way.