FedEx Custom Critical

Grizzlly2000 · Jun 22, 2004

Greetings Gang,

I worked for Roberts Express in Akron Ohio for ten years back
in the 80's as an owner/operator of expedite freight and earned a very
nice living with them. I was considering purchasing another van (B Unit} and signing back on with them and found out they have been acquired by FedEx Custom Critical. I contacted FedEx and they searched my previous work history with Roberts and ran my MRV and approved my return, so, I went out and found a diesel Ford E-350 van that met specs and left a deposit and once I got home decided to do some more research and discovered this FedEx Yahoo group.

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/FedEx/

Needless to say after reading many of the horror stories I am having second thoughts. I realize most of them are FedEx ground which is a different division than FedEx Custom Critical and I was wondering if anyone has any insights or advise concerning the FedEx Custom Critical division.

Thanks

Ken

Glen Rice · Jun 22, 2004

You will do very well with your previous experience to fall back on. Not much has changed and you should start right where you left off! It was a great company 20 years ago, and still is today. Best of luck, and keep us posted.

RichM · Jun 22, 2004

If you ran for Roberts and know that type of operation very little has changed other then the name. I started with Roberts in 1987 and I would have to say things overall are better.The name change caused a drop in business for a while but things seem to have recovered nicely. I don't know if you remember what life was like before the Qual Com system but Communication is at a all time best.
Fedex Custom Critical is now part of Fedex Freight the LTL carrier but things appear to be normal,the FEDEX name is a huge brand that can keep you loaded on a nationwide basis. I would recommend you come back,Fedex ground is an entirely different operation,some guys make money some don,t.. Local economy has a big impact on Fedex ground types as you are locked into a area with a route,if several large industries close or move you can suffer big time.

Lawrence · Jun 22, 2004

These companies share two very different corporate heritages. I don't think you can fairly compare the two.

However, I can tell you that the demand for straight trucks over cargo vans from your days has really changed. Back then cargo vans ruled the road - not anymore. D units are the bulk of this business.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine

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Grizzlly2000 · Jun 22, 2004

Thanks for everyones response, much appreciated. When I was working with
Roberts I ran both a B and C unit and preferred running the van over
the alumi-bunk unit. When I was in the truck they had me living on the
road for weeks at a time and in the van I had much more home time and
the dead head expenses were less when headng home instead of waiting
several days for a load. I'm not looking to run myself as hard as I did years ago, just enough to cover expenses and have a few hundred left over at the end of the week.

Thanks Again!!!

Ken

redytrk · Jun 23, 2004

I can identify with your feelings about running a van.In the 80`s we were home a lot doing auto loads around the tri-state.Things are different now.Less auto business means you need to get out into the system to be sucessful.The new hours of service will help the solo driver.Lawrence was right that "D"units are the prefered size.This is the theary that "I can now haul any thing".I moved out of a van size in the early 90`s into a "C".Most D drivers will tell you that they are carrying 75% C loads.A "C" gives the extra comfort of a sleeper.Living in a van can get pretty old.The old plan of "availability" you were probably familar with was done away with as you might know.
One final word,dont let the negitive thoughts of a few FED-EX Ground guys influnce you. As a group I have allways found them to be a bunch of cry babys.It was even this way back when the were RPS.They never wave at us on the road. FEDEX Express,and FEDEX Freight are allways friendly,but I just dont know about those Ground guys.
BEST OF LUCK

davekc · Jun 26, 2004

And if you think that is scary, I use to run a ford pickup with a single sleeper and a 12 ft box. for Roberts. Things have changed in a big way.

Grizzlly2000 · Jun 26, 2004

I really appreciate everyone's responses. I have spoken to the recruiter again and have decided not to persue this opportunity. You were correct that back in the olden days

that we were home alot. I would take a load from n.j. to detroit and earn 600$ one way and they would get me a return load that paid $400 and I was back home within 36 hours with a grand in my pocket. I ran these type loads 2-3 time a week and was earning a good living with lots of home time. It seems in order to earn this same type of income today, you need to be available and living on the road on the average of 6-7 days at a time. If I wanted this type of lifestyle, I would hop back in to a tractor trailer for a $1,500 sign-on-bonus and become a gypsy again. I just can't commit to such a huge investment in equipment and time, for myself the price is too high. If I was willing to commit to that much time, I could work 2 full time job and a part-time job on the weekends and still be home more often with more money in my pocket. I currently drive a 55 passenger motor coach to atlantic city a few times a week, but I drive over an hour to get to work and will start looking for something closer to home in the Pocono's. Just looking in my local paper today and the driving jobs are plentiful. Since i'm off on Monday, I'll start knocking on some doors. Once again I really appreciate everyone's contribution to this discussion and helping me make my decision. One last word. After all the research I conducted about FedEx Custom Critical, it seems that they are a good division to work for with a lot of opportunity if you are willing to commit the time and resources.

Respectfully
Ken

davekc · Jun 26, 2004

Your advise should be well taken. With any company, one should be prepared for a large financial and time commitment. Anything much less than that will kill your ability to have much success, unless you have alot of resources or have been out here for a considerable amount of time.

oldtimer · Jun 26, 2004

good luck! fedex cc was good to me over the past ten years .What you
want to do is make it a habit to head home or home direction every
week. If you don't do it You'll won't last!The trick in this bussiness
is to make your weekend at home very week YOU MUST HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE
or you will not last.There are pervious postings on how to make a good
living etc GHOST CO DRIVERS OR PAGERS VS CLINKS. if you read these
postings you will get the inside track!!