Finally a carrier that works for their cut!

[gjmcclain]

Well after bouncing around from carrier to carrier, having my own authority for a brief while, I have finally found a carrier that actually does what they claimed they would do.

My first 10 days with this carrier has given me the following runs:

575, 385 miles, 1550, 975, 1050, and 400 miles.

I drive a 22-foot straight truck, I am a solo driver, and am running all over instead of just 'hanging around' in the truck stops in the midwest.

While they give me some really nice long runs I always have at least two days or over the weekend to get them there. I have been shocked on how they have been able to keep me running while all the other carriers I have drove for could only offer excuses, bs first in first out policies, etc etc.

Its great to finally be working for a carrier that is walking the walk.

On a side note - its nice to pull out of a truck stop to head to a load and see the 'big carrier' just sitting there.

 

[guido4475]

amen to that, brother.i'm the same way, leased to a small carrier.it's the only way to go.

 

[FIS53]

Glad ur doing good. I'm with a small carrier as well and prefer it to the larger ones. While it is noticably slower we are still a growing company and so far I've been able to keep rolling. I do admit though having 2 trucks is really helping out.
Rob

 

[layoutshooter]

We are with a big carrier and we have been staying busy. Our number of runs year to date is higher than year to date last year. We like the efforts that our carrier is putting in looking for new business. It is starting to show. Layoutshooter

 

[MR.SNAPPY]

Well after bouncing around from carrier to carrier, having my own authority for a brief while, I have finally found a carrier that actually does what they claimed they would do.

My first 10 days with this carrier has given me the following runs:

575, 385 miles, 1550, 975, 1050, and 400 miles.

I drive a 22-foot straight truck, I am a solo driver, and am running all over instead of just 'hanging around' in the truck stops in the midwest.

While they give me some really nice long runs I always have at least two days or over the weekend to get them there. I have been shocked on how they have been able to keep me running while all the other carriers I have drove for could only offer excuses, bs first in first out policies, etc etc.

Its great to finally be working for a carrier that is walking the walk.

On a side note - its nice to pull out of a truck stop to head to a load and see the 'big carrier' just sitting there.

Would you like to share with the rest of us the name of the carrier and you rate per mile.
if you do not want everyone to know then maybe you could send me a PM....after 5 years with the same carrier and the changes that where made this week its time to take the cats off my truck!!

 

[gjmcclain]

Mr Snappy - I sent you a PM. You will be the only one I do this with.

And your right, I don't want to name names, as this just causes more problems for everyone than it is worth and we have comments made against carriers that serve no purpose.

So, for those that are not happy with their carrier, maybe it is time to look elsewhere, but only you will know that.

But keep in mind, the grass is not always greener on the other side. Heck it took me two years to find the right fit.

Take a good look in the mirror and judge yourself first before you blame your carrier. I found it easier to blame the carrier instead of seeing what I was doing wrong over the last few years.

The last time out before this change, I played it right by the book, by the rules and could honestly say it was the carrier that was holding me back - so I changed and I am glad I looked at things this time around with a more honest and open mind.

So - look at your methods, your actions, your policies first. Then judge the carrier before you move on.

Just my thoughts.

 

[ATeam]

Take a good look in the mirror and judge yourself first before you blame your carrier. I found it easier to blame the carrier instead of seeing what I was doing wrong over the last few years.

These are some of the most profound, self-responsible and self-aware words I have ever seen posted in the Open Forum! Bravo!

 

[mjolnir131]

We are with a big carrier and we have been staying busy. Our number of runs year to date is higher than year to date last year. We like the efforts that our carrier is putting in looking for new business. It is starting to show. Layoutshooter

yea we are pushing 4717 for the last ten , probably would have broken 5k but was in the shop twice during that time.Gods i hate repair time you can really see an adverse effect on the bottom line

 

[Moot]

These are some of the most profound, self-responsible and self-aware words I have ever seen posted in the Open Forum! Bravo!

That may be but consider the source.

 

[Yesteryear]

Would you like to share with the rest of us the name of the carrier and you rate per mile.
if you do not want everyone to know then maybe you could send me a PM....after 5 years with the same carrier and the changes that where made this week its time to take the cats off my truck!!

What changes have Panther made?

With T-State recent changes are

(1) from 1.20 to 1.05
(2) from 50 free dh miles to 100 free dh miles
(3) empty moves are pretty much a thing of the past.

 

[mjolnir131]

Yea i would like to know what changes he's talking about to outside the empty moves being dropped to under 200 miles

 

[gjmcclain]

mjolnir131 - are you saying the first 200 miles of an empty move or to go pick up a load is now on the owner/operator at panther?

Sorry about the confusion there, but when I left it was still at 100 miles, so if you could plze explain.

I didn't much care for alot of their policies to be honest with you. I sat in Alabama for over a week because of all thier mini runs coming into my area so they got the first out. It didn't much matter to them that I was sitting there for 7-8 days they gave first out to everyone else coming in.

Finally they offered me a mini! WOW - seven days sitting and finally a run for 79-miles.

So what has changed at Panther since January?

 

[mjolnir131]

in effect it is the only empty moves now are between 100-200 the computer will not kick out one that is farther way. under 100 is still a suggested reposition. i think we might get them to turn that back up if we all started calling about the different boards that are near by.if it started to be a hassle again it would get turned back up pretty quick i think make sure you call 2-3 times after every pod about different boards.

whats changed? nothing really lowest i have ran in a week was 1200 over yule and new years. Moving past that its been 2200 or above not great but not as bad as some of the other carriers are reporting

 

[mjolnir131]

Oh and p.s.

I don't care what a load boards daily numbers are if you sit anyplace for 8 days without a run it's because you wanted to sit there, maybe the fishing was good or something,it's not your carriers fault.

If too many have there lines in the pond your at, move to a different pond

 

[gjmcclain]

Well, first I don't fish and the point here is that the first in first out policy means nothing with the cat.

I spoke to one of the supervisors there and they told me that it depends upon alot of different keys.

First if someone does a mini they get first out.

If someone is 5 miles away and your 7 miles away they get it.

Hey, its their company and they can run it and run over the drivers anyway they want....I excepted my errors and my mistakes.....the first one was going back to them in the first place.

But, I couldn't be happier running down the road with a carrier who actually bust their tail to keep ME moving!

 

[mjolnir131]

like said i had 3500 miles last week had repairs this week so it's lower so i don't understand what you think you have gained but what ever makes you happy i guess .

If someone is 5 miles away and your 7 miles away they get it.

i have driven 50-60 miles to a load that another panther truck was sitting 2 exits down the road to question the accuracy of this statement,or be sitting right on the edge of a board and driving all the way across the board for a pick up when there are 3 or 4 other trucks on the board.Yes it can happen if the shipper is adamant about having a truck there right now but thats pretty rare really

 

[louixo]

Mclain...I`m happy for you, that you think you`ve found a fit. Tell me that 6 months down the road, with the same miles ratio logged, or close, and I`ll be asking for your carrier`s name. You said you were doing things wrong before you arrived at where you are. What were you doing? I`m betting you`ll be averaging close to everyone else. I`m also betting that if you figured out how to improve your bottom line, that`s why you`re seeing an increase, along with a carrier that has frieght. Anyway, good luck.

 

[gjmcclain]

First, I have cut my deadheading down alot!
The carrier leaves it up to us to move and doesn't 'silently' force us to move to get into a 'better spot'.
I don't run home every weekend.
And your right, finding a carrier with freight is a huge advantage.
What I did wrong in the past, while not important now,is that I talked when I should have listen, and listened when I should have been talking.
The important thing is - I learned from those mistakes and have found a carrier willing to actually work with my personality and traits rather than force me into being nothing more than a steering wheel holder or machine of corporate policies.
THEY ALLOW US TO RUN OUR OWN BUSINESS!

 

[x06col]

gj, i'd say you found a place some time ago, similar to the one you are describing. Had you approached it different (with not so many didn't wannas) you'd been in tall cotton then.

You may choose to type for others benefit precisely how your attitude bout all this foolishness called expediting has changed. Ya might jes help some other newbee or oldbee bonehead get along with all this.

 

[gjmcclain]

x06col you are right.
if i wouldn't have done this or that in the past might have put me in a better spot, that is for sure.
but, what is done is done, and what i can do now is what i can do now and for the future.
hope the guy you found is working out for you and i wish you the best in your retirement.
hope to meet with you again sometime soon, it was a true pleasure before and i look forward to speaking again.
i am always willing to learn from one of the best!