Follow Panther Execs As They Haul Freight

x06col · Dec 10, 2009

Like I typed earlier, it's all good. I wonder tho, if the foolishness of the motel and towing bills will take a trip thru the toys pocket??

I'd like to read the post if the "drivers" had "worked" for a contractor, and had figgured outside the box like these two and holed up under load, provided a service failure, and allowed the freight to be transferred to a pov. (if that's what happened).

Prolly be some *****'in from the drivers bout look'in for a job.

But, it's a good read, an i'm sure there is some street learning going on.

prepaid · Dec 10, 2009

I will give these guys credit for being out on the road even though it is a advertising stunt.they sure did pick the wrong week to do it.I no if it was one of us that had the manager take the load we would'nt be working no more at panther.I just hope they are learning enough out on the road to take back to operations.I wish it wasn't so cold for them so they can get out and talk to more drivers to find out how long they are setting and what is really going on without a dispatcher around.I wish them the best and hope they make all the money they can for toys for tots.

pelgrn · Dec 10, 2009

Bad P.R is better then no P.R,i like the idea and hope they do it every year around this time.The breakdown i don't understand if i was the owner of the van i would have mentioned they may want to plug it in while in the hotel rm along with a fuel additive.

prepaid · Dec 10, 2009

the one thing that does bother me is do they both have there cdl as it is required to have if you run for panther.

cheri1122 · Dec 10, 2009

Having the motel mgr help deliver the load isn't a problem [I once delivered from the flatbed of a tow truck]. The problem is checking into the motel with a load on board - what if the vehicle had been stolen? THEN there would have been some 'splainen' to do....
The execs won't learn much about what it's really like, but they get a 'bravo!' from me for agreeing to do it anyhow.

LDB · Dec 10, 2009

I give them kudos for doing it as well. None of you other guys ever ever stop to eat with freight on and go inside leaving the vehicle locked out in the parking lot or go inside to shower or otherwise leave the vehicle unattended for a minute when loaded. That's how you earn the privilege of criticizing them for getting a motel room I'm sure. They learned quite a bit in that one run. I'm sure they'll learn more. Good for them. I hope the company is going to dollar match whatever they manage to earn for the kids.

davekc · Dec 10, 2009

One thing for sure, they certainly have a story to tell.

blizzard2014 · Dec 10, 2009

The hotel incident is not at all that far fetched. These guys are new at this, they have not been on the road long enough to know all of the problems that may arise from different types of situations. I learned a long time ago that it is better to idle the van and be without entertainment for a few hours at the consignees parking lot, than to stop at a truck stop and risk being late. I applaud these two for getting the load there within an acceptable amount of time all on their own "without help from dispatch while utilizing their own resources to do so!" This tells me that the two Panther executives can think on their feet and this is a good thing for business. They have displayed a very important trait. They have shown that the customer is a top priority. Cudos to the Panther team.

Bruno · Dec 11, 2009

I'm sure Andy and Ed went and got their Class C CDL, that's all they needed. My hats off to them for doing this and to Lawrence for putting this on EO.

morningstar55ny · Dec 11, 2009

davekc said:
One thing for sure, they certainly have a story to tell.

.. i like stories..... lol ..
**sippin my coffee here and reading stuff here**

Turtle · Dec 11, 2009

The thing that most impresses me is the fact that they actually tweeted this stuff, the good and the bad.

jaminjim · Dec 11, 2009

More impressive is that the phone call to Panther didn't go something like this: "Dispatch this is The CEO, I want the time bumped for delivery, I'll let you know how much prior to PODing."

fastrod · Dec 11, 2009

Lets see. Panther sends 2 rookies out to drive around the country for 5 days and they make 2000 dollars. Kinda blows a big hole in the theory that you need lots of experience and the ability to "work smart" to make it in expediting. What Andy and Ed have done is show the world how easy it is to make money in a van.

CharlesD · Dec 11, 2009

fastrod said:
Lets see. Panther sends 2 rookies out to drive around the country for 5 days and they make 2000 dollars. Kinda blows a big hole in the theory that you need lots of experience and the ability to "work smart" to make it in expediting. What Andy and Ed have done is show the world how easy it is to make money in a van.

Shhh...

It's hard to make money in vans.

It's terrible out there in a van.

Nobody should get into this business in a van.

Slo-Ride · Dec 11, 2009

2 grand for 5 days work,,not to bad considering the economy, are all the vans doing close to this??
I know some straight trucks that ain't getting this in a 2 week pay period and are staying out and available.

eggd1ver · Dec 11, 2009

O.K. everybody everyone has there say on the mater there both doing something that any other ceo or cio would never do with any large company in this country. So let them find what info. they can get and do some good while there out. In all honesty we as panther o/o and drivers should look in our on pockets and help some with toy for totes deal. Me and my wife are going to send 25$ up there to put with there moneys. I challenge the rest of you to do what ever you can.

RICK & IDA
PANTHER DRIVERS
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

youngsamuel · Dec 11, 2009

prepaid said:
the one thing that does bother me is do they both have there cdl as it is required to have if you run for panther.

Remember the golden rule "He with the gold makes the rules" that is a privilege of OWNING the company.

youngsamuel · Dec 11, 2009

fastrod said:
Lets see. Panther sends 2 rookies out to drive around the country for 5 days and they make 2000 dollars. Kinda blows a big hole in the theory that you need lots of experience and the ability to "work smart" to make it in expediting. What Andy and Ed have done is show the world how easy it is to make money in a van.

I hear ya Fastrod, also why do some folks act like because these two don't drive for a living they are bumbling idiots. They may not understand all the idiosyncrasies of driving but I imagine they would shortly be among the top performers if they went to driving full time. One of them is the CEO of the largest expedite company (arguably) in the nation!

TeamCaffee · Dec 11, 2009

I personally think it is awesome for all the Expedite Industry that these guys are out here in a van and blogging about it. I would also imagine unlike us when they have down time they are making sales calls.

I also imagine just because they are our running around the country in a van that their responsibilities with the company have not stopped!

Keep up the good work and keep having fun and enjoying what you two are doing!

x06col · Dec 11, 2009

Well now, hey charles, jefferson and the rest of you, she seems to not know that those boys are not the only ones making "calls" because of their responsibilities. Amazing that how little is really understood bout the realities of the business world. But I suspect, the most of their incomming are going to the box.