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Florida and Southeast USA

K

Kurbski

Seasoned Expediter
I have considered expediting and have not purchased a vehicle as of yet but live in the I-4 & I-95 area allowing me multiple SE travel options. I have experience driving large straight tankers and a 6K gallon semi water tanker. Clean driving record and ready to retire from gov't, considering the expediting business and running the SE.

What companies could I contact to evaluate my options running a large van or straight truck in Florida and the SE area?

Is it difficult to get established? Anyone know when the next expediting expo show will be in or near Florida?

Is there enough freight available for small haulers to justify getting into the business?

Is there a demand for local LTL freight running I-4 & I-95 ?

I will keep reading and greatly appreciate any advice.

Thanks
 
B

Broompilot

Veteran Expediter
FL is the one state NOT A ONE US LIKES GOING TO.

Odds at picking a winning Lotto ticket is about the same, as getting a return load out. (stay long enough anywhere and a load will come available but for how long? One hour? One week? maybee longer?)

Some people do live in FL, but most of them DH to Atlanta or Columbia for there first load. This is not a regional industry, it also not LTL since our trucks are small there is min. profit and your expenses just do not drop cause the rates drop.

Suggestion, move or find another line of work. Rich M could tell you better than anyone here.
 
Tennesseahawk

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
I wouldn't go as far as moving, if you intend to stay there. There are several ppl in this biz who have to deadhead from home to another area to get started. OntarioVanDude is one, since he lives in SD. If you are prepared to either wait for a load out, or dh 200 miles or more, then by all means go for it. Just as long as you know and accept it beforehand, you should be fine. I, for one, plan on moving to Eastern TN some time in the future. So I know I will have to dh a few miles, more often than not. No big deal.

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
 
Doggie Daddy

Doggie Daddy

Veteran Expediter
>FL is the one state NOT A ONE US LIKES GOING TO.
>
>Odds at picking a winning Lotto ticket is about the same, as
>getting a return load out.
>
>Suggestion, move or find another line of work.

Well Broom,I have to disagree with you on this one.We love going to Florida and there is plenty of freight going into the sunshine state.

I agee that there isn't all that much coming out,but we have done fairly good with getting loaded out of Florida in the 5 years we have been doing this.

One other thing,do you realize that this is the second thread in a row that you have told brand new posters to find another line of work or that they might be in the wrong business?

Just because expediting didn't work out for you doesn't mean it has to be that way for everyone.DD.
 
B

Broompilot

Veteran Expediter
I must apoligize for my negativity to this original poster. By all means, there are loads comming in and out of FL. Go ahead take a second mortage on your home buy a truck and you should do very well. But if not please blame others here and not me.

See I hate to see anyone loose hard earned $ or God Forbid borrow $ they cannot pay back. Hey FL great State to guarantee ones success out of. Hint you may want to read the archives as others just want to look for my negative posts and an opportunity to prove me wrong when they do not remember what has been discussed about a topic like FL.

In all honesty since I was such a failure in this business do not take my advice. JUST JUMP IN WATER IS WARM, and the market needs hundreds if not thousands new drivers, especially in the deep South, when one is curious about just running in one area. Did I read that correctly or am I wrong, FL+LTL+Southeast. Now one wonders why I suggested you might want to find another line of work. And thats negativity.. Wow so much for the TRUTH.
 
ATeam

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
Broompilot,

It hurts me to see you say of yourself, "...since I was such a failure..." No one I know thinks less of you because expediting did not work out for you. I certainly don't. It is better to try and fail than it is to not try at all. And you are still in there kicking, now as a tractor/trailer driver for an non-expediting carrier on a dedicated run. You are never defeated until you quit, and you haven't quit.

Now, about Florida. Expediting in Florida varies among carriers and among trucks within carriers. As White Glove drivers with FedEx, Diane and I have been in and out of Florida several times. We have never once turned down a load because it is going to Florida and have never waited more than a day or two to get out. While there, we have also done short runs that have kept us busy and on goal while in the state.

When RichM was running an expediter truck, he lived in Florida. The same is true of DaveKC. I know of two fleet owners that drove trucks themselves and they live in Florida. Streakn1 is an expediter. He lives in Florida. I'm sure there are many more that I do not know about. If Florida works for them, it can probably work for you. They would be the ones to talk to about Florida.
 
nightcreacher

nightcreacher

Veteran Expediter
Florida can be a hit or miss situation.there are expedite loads out of fl.but not nearly as many as loads going to fl.Most of the time if I take a load to fl.my next stop is atlanta,giving up the 450 miles to atlanta will usually get me loaded right away.
 
B

bambam

Seasoned Expediter
well i just wish i could get a load to florida they get me to South Carolina or alanta and then let me go home to tampa and then dh meback out usally to SC
 
K

Kurbski

Seasoned Expediter
Thank you all for the advice. Sounds like I could get home to FL no problem and would have to post my location while at home and be patient or deadhead north into a busier freight lane when on the road working.

Phil,

Im the Fireman who emailed 3 or 4 months ago. Enjoy reading your blog as I am still considering driving when retired. I have my permit and dot physical since we emailed each other last. Driver test in Sept. Also been reading your business plan and would like to drive for Owner Op or company to learn the ropes a few yrs then decide about a purchase. I like SC and East TN. Had a place in Newport off I-40. Will poroably move Norht eventually if the right opportunities came along. Thanks again everyone.

Keith
 
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