Freight during the Holidays

[pelicn]

We're with Panther and have a 16ft reefer box. This is our first year in expediting, and I was wondering how business is during the time between Christmas and New Years? We're trying to decide whether to plan on being home for a week or coming back out on the 26th. I don't want to just sit out here waiting for a load when I could be home.
Thanks for any historical info anyone can provide

 

[terryandrene]

Historically, December has been a busy month right up until Christmas, dead and in rigor from Christmas until New Years then slow but steady during Jan/Feb. January has been good for many that stay available because lots of folks take that month off.

All bets are off this year and many of us don't know what to expect.

 

[ATeam]

December 26-31, 2003: 3 loads. $4,664 gross to the truck.

December 26-31, 2004: 4 loads. $5,782 gross to the truck.

December 26-31, 2005: 3 loads. $3,360 gross to the truck.

FedEx Custom Critical D-unit, White Glove, Reefer and lift-gate equipped.

 

[terryandrene]

December 26-31, 2003: 0 loads. $0 gross to the truck.

December 26-31, 2004: 0 loads. $0 gross to the truck.

December 26-31, 2005: 0 loads. $0 gross to the truck.

FedEx Custom Critical B-unit, non-White Glove

 

[TeamCaffee]

December 26-31, 2005: 0 loads. $0 gross to the truck

We will not make that mistake again of staying out that week. You might as well be at home enjoying family.

FedEx Custom Critical D-unit, Lift Gate Equipped non-White Glove

 

[RichM]

1987 0 Loads
1988 O Loads
1989 0 loads
1990 0 loads\
1991 0 loads
1992 0 loads
1993 0 loads
1994 0 loads
1995 0 loads
1996 0 loads
1997 0 loads
1998 0 loads
1999 0 loads
2000 0 loads
2001 0 loads
2002 0 loads
2003 0 loads
2004 0 loads
2005 0 loads
2006 0 loads.

Some things are more important in my life then to constantly chase the dollar.

 

[davekc]

Zip. In 22 years we have never had a truck out through that period.
We schedule alot of truck maintenance through that period so all of our drivers can focus on their families.









Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[highway star]

I've been home during that time as well. After some time with my boy's and getting maintainence done, I usually go back in service but end up home the whole time.

 

[pelicn]

Those are the type of answers I was secretly hoping for Thanks a bunch folks!!

 

[ATeam]

>Some things are more important in my life then to constantly
>chase the dollar.

As they are for us also. Since we became expediters we have had far more quality time with friends and family at their homes around the nation than we ever did in our old jobs that kept us home. In our families, we have a total of one parent still alive, 6 brothers and sisters, 20 nieces and nephews, and two grand nephews. Most years, they all come home for Christmas but by the 26th most of them have scattered. We miss nothing important by working the week after Christmas and gain much.

 

[Paul56]

>We're with Panther and have a 16ft reefer box. This is our
>first year in expediting, and I was wondering how business
>is during the time between Christmas and New Years? We're
>trying to decide whether to plan on being home for a week or
>coming back out on the 26th. I don't want to just sit out
>here waiting for a load when I could be home.
>Thanks for any historical info anyone can provide
>

I get the impression you'd like that week off, so assuming your finances are in order and you won't beat yourself up with guilt... take it.

We have no loads booked between Christmas week and New Year's, and usually take the week after New Year's off as well. Our customers work with us and undertstand our arrangements, but they also understand if they have a situation we will can be reached and will assist.

The truck usually goes inside the shop, gets a thorough going over and cleaned up... and there it sits until we go out again.

We spend the holidays with family and friends. Go skiing, ski-dooing, ice fishing, spend time at the cottage, do a little dancing, etc... etc.

 

[pelicn]

>I get the impression you'd like that week off, so assuming
>your finances are in order and you won't beat yourself up
>with guilt... take it.


The finances allow it, but if there was enough money to be made to make it worthwhile to stay out then we'd probably do it. I rarely turn down extra money. BUT, since we just recently built a new house, I don't need a reason to want to stay home.

 

[bamamule]

Bell and I make most our money from now till march but you had better like ice and snow might be surprized how much is out there while everybody is having eggnog lol

 

[nightcreacher]

I'm home from dec 23rd til jan 3rd,and have had many high paying loads offered at that time,even though I was out of service

 

[Coco]

Jan.9 to Dec 23rd enough money
Dec 24 to Dec 30 nada
Dec 31 to Jan 1
a case of beer and Lindr's moose bong----priceless!!!

New Year's Eve
Bring it on!
:+ :9