Eyes Wide Open

JoeS

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Well, just got off the truck. What a fiasco!

Let me start by giving abit of background information.
I have been researching the expediting field for some time now and decided to take the plunge. As most experienced expeditors suggest, I decided to sign on with a O/O to test the waters and see what this life is all about. I was fortunate to find an O/O that was local to me (late model D unit) that was looking for a co-driver. I received all the paper work from the company, filled out all the forms and did the necessary tests and was quickly approved.

After speaking with the O/O at length over a period of several weeks, I felt good about this working out, eventhough by his own addmission, he has had 5 co drivers over a 6 month period (with me being the 6th). That should have been the first warning sign, but I took it as a sign of one searching for good help (as a former business owner that requires employees, I could relate).

We agreed on a start date and proceded to head out. One of my first posts here, I asked about the chances of getting a load out of Florida in order to cut down on the DH and recieved some good advice. I passed this along to the O/O and he was adamant about dead heading to ATL. So off we went. 400 miles later, we arrived at ATL and parked 48 miles (south) outside of ATL at a truck stop. I asked him why so far out when all reccomendations had been to be 25 miles within the freight center. He, as he told me, "was the one with the expierence. I know what am doing. I have been doing this for 18 months." OK what do I know, he's the boss. 34 hours of dwell time later and no load. Hmmm. Atlanta is suppose to be hot for freight. He decides to get out of ATL and head for Ohio.

As we head out, a load offer comes in to pick-up 47 miles away and deliver in PA. GREAT! My first expediting load. We make our pick-up and deliver the next day 3 hours early. Time to park the truck, and get some rest (BTW, I have never slept so much in my life than that during the past 2 weeks...tells you something huh?). Through out the day we get several load offers that were refused......74 miles DH, 350 paid miles.......102 miles DH, 475 paid miles.........12 miles DH, 535 paid miles........and a few Canada bound loads that he refuses to take under any circumstances. All the load offers were calculated and they all came in at over a $1.00+ for all miles and most kept us in a pretty decent freight areas. All were refused. I'm starting to wonder about this guy, but it is his business. After waiting until the late afternoon and not accepting any of the load offers, he decideds to DH 148 miles to one of his favorite watering holes. Ok what's wrong with this picture? You refuse paying loads but are willing to DH for free to go drinking? I really begin to have major doubts about this guy as a business person and it has been only a few days. We arrive at his watering hole and he proceeds to take us out of service until mid day the next day. Next afternoon we take a short load and deliver it. The day after that, we take a nice load to Norfolk, VA that delivered on Friday. We get stuck in Norfolk over the weekend. He comments to me that had he realized that it was Friday, he would not have taken the load! OoooOOK! Some more unpaid DH out of VA and we get a load back to FL. We take it and spend the next 2 days after delivery at home.

After the preceding week, I really had my doubts about this guy, but decided to stick it out and see what came of it. After all it had only been a week. We head out again and DH to ATL once again. 24 hours later we DH to Ohio unpaid again (DUH!). We, or rather he (I had finally given up on trying to rationalize this guys behavior) turn down several load offers until one comes in taking us to Alabama. We pick -up the load and head on down. We deliver early and park the truck and get some rest. Our original plan was to head out until Thanksgiving and try to get a load going South so that we could get home by then. I explained to him that eventhough being at home with my family for Thanksgiving was important, my family was flexible enough to have Thanksgiving on any day I was home as it is a frame of mind and not just specific meal on a specific day. He really wanted to go home from Alabama (to go fishing LOL) but the truck had only 4 paying runs during the month thus far. After several refused load offers, (btw, his coordinator called him to talk to him about his acceptance rate.....17% during the past month.......52% during the last quarter; and he confessed to me earlier that when he was running as a single, he was going broke, GEE I wonder why? and that is when he decided to run teams.) we get a load to NJ that was close by. We talked about it, and decided to take the load, deliver early in the day, and try to get a load heading South to try to cut down on the DH costs. We deliver early in the AM and instead of waiting to try to get a load out, he gets a wild hair to head home from NJ now! FREE DH. Yippee!!! To put this into perspective, during the last 7 days, we had a total of 2400 unpaid DH miles, about 2000 paid miles. Par for the course.

During the last 14 days on the road I grossed just under $900.00. From this, I had to eat and pay for my own showers. Chicken feed in my opinion. I could have made this type of money staying at home delivering pizzas.

The reason I write this is to hopefully enlighten some that this is a business that one must go in with both eyes OPEN. I did, and eventhough I have had to put up (I really didnt have to put up with it, I could have gotten off the truck and taken a plane home at any given moment but wanted to give him the benefit of a doubt) with a perpetually negative person who not only had no business sense, but also had no self respect (ie he had 2 showers in 14 days, I never once saw him brush his teeth, and on occassions, urinated in a jug because he was too lazy to walk to the bathroom), I have set up an opportunity with another O/O that has been in this business for over 14 years. I'm not easily discouraged. This can be a very good lifestyle. Just make sure you are realistic in your expectations, have enough resources to carry you through the lean times, and take along a bottle of Febreze. =)
 

Dreamer

Administrator Emeritus
Charter Member
he has had 5 co drivers
>over a 6 month period (with me being the 6th). That should
>have been the first warning sign,


Yep... HUGE RED FLAG!..

we arrived at ATL and parked 48 miles
>(south) outside of ATL at a truck stop. I asked him why so
>far out when all reccomendations had been to be 25 miles
>within the freight center.

Stupid.

Through out the day we
>get several load offers that were refused......74 miles DH,
>350 paid miles.......102 miles DH, 475 paid miles.........12
>miles DH, 535 paid miles........and a few Canada bound loads
>that he refuses to take under any circumstances. All the
>load offers were calculated and they all came in at over a
>$1.00+ for all miles and most kept us in a pretty decent
>freight areas. All were refused.

This guy obviously has NO clue how to run a business. I've heard of cherry picking.. but what the heck did he want? Thos were all excellent runs! I would have jumped all over them!



I can't even comment on the rest of this post.. I was going to analyze each point.. but you already know there's NO WAY this guy will make it in this business.

OK... maybe one more part.......

After several refused load offers, (btw, his coordinator called him to talk to him about his acceptance rate.....17% during the past month.......52% during the last quarter; and he confessed to me earlier that when he was running as a single, he was going broke, GEE I wonder why?"

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

UN-FRIGGIN-BELEIVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


That's about the nicest thing I could come up with... x(

Ok.. this guy obviously has NO business sense.. and is a perfect example of how NOT to be a success. I'd lay money that his contract will be BY-BY... and he'll be on some group, somewhere, ripping the company apart that 'wouldn't work with him!!!"

Joe.. I'm glad you got out.... and I"m sure you'll find a better person to partner with next time...

SURELY THERE'S NOT MUCH WORSE! I'm just shaking my head on this one!



Dreamer
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
Personally, I'm surprised this scumbag wasn't sacked!!!
I think you'll probably make it... just do exactly the opposite of what he's done. ;)
 

hitek

Expert Expediter
some of those deadhead to paid mile ratios looked pretty good to me. sometimes when I'm sitting waiting on a load somewhere, anything that comes over the qualcomm looks good. granted my expediting experience now totals about 3 weeks, but this is the easiest money I've ever made
driving a truck...pick it up on time, secure it, deliver on time, keep your log legit and legal. pretty simple.
 

terryandrene

Veteran Expediter
Safety & Compliance
US Coast Guard
Joe

Patience is a necessary expediter virtue; you've demonstrated enough to succeed.

We've seen a lot of similar dirt balls thru the years and often wonder how they can pass muster without the customers complaining to the carrier. It appears that you've seen the low end of the scale and I now applaud you for moving on and continuing to recognize the potential of this biz. You entered the experiment to learn and you've succeeded...congrats.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
JoeS,

Thank you for posting this great account of your experiences. While it's unfortunate you had the ride you did, it's great of you to share for others to listen and learn. I hope your next ride works out for you, you sound like you have what it takes to make it.

Your story illustrates the world of difference between a same-household team and one that consists of two unrelated codrivers. Some folks in the EO Open Forum say unrelated team driving is not the way to go. Your story certainly supports that point of view. You might find yourself better off driving solo.
 

Glen Rice

Veteran Expediter
You could make it today, with the bad experience behind you and be a more successful O/O than this guy! I'm just listening to your comments and realize how desperate this person has become. I am truly sorry for your bad experience. This is not common and you saw the potential to make it in spite of running with an O/O that won't be in business much longer! Deadhead to Ohio out of Atlanta? Unthinkable! Better yet why leave Florida if your home anyway? With a "D" team something may have come up on Friday or predispatch for Monday pickup is always possible. The wisdom you demonstrated in your writing shows me how well you have analzyed the postings on this site. It's obvious to me you "get it" and your owner never will! You should be congratulated and I sincerely hope you stick with expediting! I know you can make it! Good luck and please update us when you make the connection wwith a winning Owner Operator, they are out there and hopefully recruiting will hook you up. Drive safe and be profitable!
 

JoeS

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement.

It is truely sad how such negative attitudes and dispositions can control one's life. I really feel sorry for my former O/O. Believe me when I say that I only touched on the business side of this experience in my previous post. Some of his comments and actions throughout the two weeks I was onboard were the true incentives to bail out of this situation.

ATeam:
I have read many of your posts and applaud you and your wife for the commitment and enthusiasm you have shown toward your new career.

I tend to concur with you that same-family teams are the way to go but I feel that the best way for a newbie to become successful in this industry is to ride with someone for a period of time. Drain them of as much knowledge as you can. Watch them like a hawk, learn from their mistakes. While the money might not be as good to start, the learning curve will be much shallower.

This a very unique situation in comparison to starting a "regular" business where one goes home everynight. Not only are you starting a new business, you are also starting a new lifestyle. What I call a Two-banger. Tough nut to crack if one is not properly prepared.

I dont see how a new team can sign on with an O/O and just head out with just a few words of encouragement, instructions on using the Qualcomm, and a few pointers on where to be for freight. I would imagine that this would cost money. One must have the "seed" money in order to eliminate some of the potential pitfalls out there. If a new team heads out without addressing the monetary issues that normally prevail at home, the additional stress of being out on the road can make for some poor business decisions. Decisions that can lead to frustrations and ultimately failure.

I would hate to see one not only fail in the expediting business but lose a soulmate to boot.

Once again, I wish to thank you all for your words of encouragement and insight. I will continue to update you fine folks on my saga. Stay safe.

Best Regards,
JoeS
 

X1_SRH

Expert Expediter
Hey Joe - It's unfortunate that you had to endure this kind of horror story as an introduction to our great industry. It sounds like you are a sharp guy - don't give up. That guy just sounds like a loser that won't be around long. (keep his number - I'll bet his truck will be for sale pretty soon). Those loads that they offered you really weren't team loads anyway... maybe driving solo would be the best option for you. Don't get discouraged - there are still a lot of good folks out there. Good Luck - X
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
I don't see how anyone can call this guy an owner/operator when he's not operating. Everyone is right though... if you have that much patience, you're half way to becoming a successful expediter. Personally, I couldn't stand driving with someone who's yearning for his next swill of grog :(

You've got guts... keep it going, and good luck finding a REAL O/O :)
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
Sadly there are many stories like this. Don't be discourage though. Even though you started on the wrong side of the track, that experience will clearly tell you what you don't want in a co-driver.
"One bad apple doesn't make the barrel"
Davekc
 

TONYII

Expert Expediter
Hey Joe,
I am glad you were smart enought to get out of that situation as quick as you did there. Take that experience and learn from it. Dont give up on finding a new owner to co drive for and learn from. I personally think it is the best way to learn the bizz. I dont go along with that only same household teams will make enough to support 2 households, I think that can be acomplished with a owner driving with a co-driver. I am a owner with 1 truck and from time to time take on a co-driver, and I find that it is just as hard for owners to find good co-drivers as it is for co-drivers to find good owners. I have had a couple of real duds in the past. I personally will not go out with anyone who has a need to drink even 1 Beer while out away from home. Our field does not mix well with it so I stay away. I have had a couple of real good co-drivers who have made the switch from co-driving to owning and they are doing great. So keep up the positive attitude and keep on following the white lines.
 

Lawrence

Founder
Staff member
JoeS,

I'm very sorry to hear your story - but you do have a positive attitude and good sense to move on.

Your story also confirms what many of us believe...their are some O/O's who don't have very good business sense (or common sense for that matter) and then fail and bad mouth the industry.

Just my opinion - but I think you may have done better if he let you call the shots yourself.

Best wishes on your next Fleet Owner.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com


Education is the best defense against the media.


The Lord's Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1,322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations on the sale of cabbage total 26,911 words.



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RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I can just imagine the impression that guy must make with Customers.Probably argues over the slightest thing. Sound to me and Terry that you were with a FEDEX CC owner.Too bad the company can't screen and get rid of some of these bad apples.
On the positive side you have hit the bottom of the barrel and can only go up.Bet you get hired on real soon,good luck and keep us posted.
 
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