Going out of your way!

[TeamCaffee]

Mentors!

When we got into this business we searched and spent a year just reading attending truck shows and talking before we jumped in.

We made the personal decision to buy our own truck and just jump in feet first! What a leap that was for me as I had not drove before only rode with Bob! Both of though knew what it was like living on the road and the hardships. The only part we didn't know and were really not prepared for was trying to sleep in a bouncing bed going down the road and then getting up and driving ten hours! We also had to learn to become O/O and make decisions based that way and not as company drivers. I will admit that first week in my mind I explored the ideas on how to file bankruptcy! We were scared, exhausted and really didn't know where to turn to for help as after we bought the truck we quit reading EO as much. That was on of our greatest mistakes. As you might have guessed we survived and I believe now are thriving in this great field. We met different drivers in the beginning of our career that really helped us and gave us encouragement!

Now we love to give back to new O/O out here and try to help them not make some of the mistakes that we did. We also are there just to listen to what has happened to them and to be able to relate! One of the hard things about being out here is your old friends just don't get it or understand what just happened to you.

How many of you get a great sense of satisfaction doing this and enjoy talking to the new O/O?

 

[60MPH]

I don't encourage anyone to come out here, atleast not in a van, there are already to many of us out here, thats why I have been looking at going back into a 18 again. I have never encouraged anyone to come out here, there is to much at stake for some people and I don't want them blaming me because they could not make a go at it. People need to make up there own minds without my help or anyone else's, just because I do good don't mean that they will do good, and expediting in a van ain't what it use to be anymore, 5 years ago I would say EVERYONE could make a go at this. BUT NOT ANYMORE!!!!

 

[RichM]

There are several people that I helped along the way and I was happy to do it. New folks are scared to death when that first months revenue is not what they were told it would be etc. One of the things I always said was that you have to have the patience to manage the frustration. No matter how frustrated you get at your Company and Dispatchers don't take it out on them. They are human beings doing their job and they can and will remember a surly uncooperative person who rips into them.

 

[Big Redd]

All I can say is the last 20 plus years have been a great ride..In particular the last 5 in the expediting biz..Should have done this a long time ago.There have been up's ,downs and a couple of sideways but frankley I do not regret a minuet.I am especially fond of many of the people I've met along the way.Even with what may be some of our toughest days ahead I would tell any one ,if you and you family don't mind the life style change,cause there ain't nothing like it, trust in the good Lord and go for it.....

 

[layoutshooter]

We have had a lot of help from people in here over the past 2 1/2 years. Bob and Linda, Doc and Marta and our former owners Jim and BJ Eason, just to name a few. We would not have made it as far as we have without your insights. We are learning more every day but if we can pass on what have learned to help a newbie get started we will be happy to lend what ever help we can. Layoutshooter

 

[LDB]

I am probably confuzzled, since that's my usual state, but I read this thread as helping and mentoring new folks already in the business than advising folks yes/no about getting in. Bob and Linda are excellent examples of helpfulness. With their wealth of knowledge they can tell you just about anything you need to know about properly running this business and additionally Bob is a wealth of knowledge on equipment. I'd love to have even half his knowledge about the equipment and a quarter of his initiative on polishing. My stuff is kept up perfectly and stays store bought clean but it pales next to his beautiful work. I've managed to fill my thimble up in this business and gladly share what little I know when asked to. There are a number of good people who regularly devote many hours of their time to helping others. It's one of the things that make our segment of the industry as good as it is. If you see a couple in one of the cleanest trucks you've ever seen you've probably run across the Caffees. If you do, and leave with an unanswered question on this business, shame on you for missing a golden opportunity.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[ATeam]

>How many of you get a great sense of satisfaction doing
>this and enjoy talking to the new O/O?

That is part of what makes the business fun; sharing tips with others, and receiving the same.

 

[dhalltoyo]

Ah, come on 60MPH...you have been mentoring me!

Folks, this O/O has a photographic memory and he has helped me many times. He can remember load offers, exit numbers, company locations, entrance gates, short cuts, etc. and he may not have been there in 3-4 years. Amazing!

Now, don't get any ideas, because he is on retainer to me only!

Greg, Leo, Broompilot, xcol, and many others have been a help to me.

I have returned the courtesy to other O/O's who are newer at this than me.

 

[Broompilot]

You sure did it, last Monday thanks for all your help Team Caffee, probably the most educated well rounded and encouraging Expediters that there are.

Even if not in Expediting, what a blessing to have you two as not only Consulatants but ENCOURAGERS of keep it up.

Thanks..

 

[bigjoep89]

Yes Robin and I also jumped into this line of work. And thanks to all the good people that has helped us along the way. When we first started we met a couple at a Wal-Mart (you know who you are) who spent hours with us and answered all of our phone calls giving us advise and encouragement. Robin and I are so thankful for this couple, as they were truly a blessing to us. We still call them from time to time as they really know this business. If Robin and I can help a positive couple in the same fashion as our friends have helped us we are thrilled to do so. It does give us satisfaction to give back to the industry.

 

[davekc]

What a great thread. I think this is the positive type of stuff people would like to hear. There are so many people willing to share their experiences and offer guidance whether new or a veteran.
Very few industries offer this kind of camaraderie. That is one of the things that makes expediting so addictive.








Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[cheri1122]

Well, that and the adrenaline rush that comes with every load offer - it might be a REALLY good one, right?

 

[mrgoodtude]

No body comes to me for consult so I come back for the humor...
Seriously we love talking to people on the road but sometimes things get a little tooooo serious.
me:+

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Funny you should mention that. I dropped in NH on Wed, and found out I was #2 in NE. #1 was sitting in Bow. They told me she was new to C&M, so I headed up to meet her, and give her the company scoop. The general rule is to never sit next to #1 when you're #2. But I saw this as a perfect opportunity to exchange phone #s so I could have another contact. So, I met her, and had dinner at the t/s; and she got a load as we finished. I stuck around the next day and got a 1440 mi run picking up 30 mi away. Call it karma!

Being a mentor can be just as important as having a mentor. Be open to new ideas, and the teacher becomes the student. Big reason Broom, Highway and I get along so well... we keep learning from each other. And it's fun to share knowledge with someone who appreciates it.

-A bore is a person who opens his mouth and puts his feats in it. - Henry Ford

 

[highway star]

You young whippersnappers with your fast metabolisms need fat, old, gray haired farts like me to keep you in line!

 

[Tennesseahawk]

That's right! Every three amigos has to have a skinny guy, a balding guy, and one who looks like Kenny Rogers. :7

What's the deal? Cockroaches and mold not good enough for ya anymore??? x(

-A bore is a person who opens his mouth and puts his feats in it. - Henry Ford

 

[60MPH]

rev thanks for the flowers, but you weren't spose tell no one about that. oh well the secerts out now. now my phone won't stop ringing!! LOL

 

[focuzzn]

Thanks for this awsome thread. The wife and I are planning on joining the likes of you all but we are going to work for an owner opperator for a year to see if we I mean my wife likes it? Ive been driving truck and greyhound over the past 20 or so years. The wife, sshe has been an office manager for 20 years and misses me.
We will be starting off hopefully in april 2008.
Thanks again,
mike

 

[TeamCaffee]

Good Luck to you guys focuzzn! If your wife has any questions post them as I am sure there are many other future expediters with the same questions! If you don't want to put the question our here have her PM one of us.