GOT A CALL TODAY.....

[Bornfree]

FedEx CC called today and said that our safety check is OK and there are no problems getting a job as o/o with them.So did TriState.The only thing left is getting a truck;now,everybody says DO NOT BUY,THE THINGS ARE SLOW NOW,NO LOADS and so on.I understand that it will not be easy at first or later,but how come AMERICA,that a couple of hard working people can not make it?I hear that there are some loads out there if you are not too picky,and as a beginer,I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE PICKY.So,please ,get me a STRAIGHT answer:IS IT SO BAD?Let's not whine and help a couple fellows with some good advice.THANK YOU!

 

[Fkatz]

I PERSONALLY WOULD TEST THE MARKET IN DRIVING ON A PERCENTAGE BASIS FOR A O/O ALREADY LEASED ON TO ONE OF THE COMPANIES AND SEE IF YOU LIKE IT.

If your going to buy one DO NOT BUT A NEW ONE, YOU CAN PICK UP A 99, 2000 FOR UNDER 50 GRAND. iT MIGHT NOT BE WHAT YOU WANT TO PUT INTO IT BUT IT IS A START. THE NEXT TRUCK THEN BY NEW.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE PART IS THE INSURANCE. MIN IS 1 MILLION LIABILITY, AND 5 MIL FOR HAZMAT, PLUS BOBTAIL AND OCCUPATIONAL FOR YOUR SPOUSE. CHECK WITH A GOOD INSURANCE COMPANY WHO CARRIES TRUCK INSURANCE. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE THE INSURANCE THROUGH EITHER COMPANY, CAUSE THERE GETTING A KICKBACK. AND YOUR PAYING A HIGHER PREMINUM. AND TRY AND GET APPORTIONED OUT OF OKLA. NO TAX. THE FUEL TAX REPORTING IS DONE BY THE COMPANY, AND IS TAKENG OUT OF YOUR SETTLEMENTS. WITH C. D. AND E UNITS. BUT i WOULD KEEP RECORDS AT STATE LINES TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CORRECT. THERE A FEDEX TRUCK ALREADY SET UP AND HES ASKING ABOUT 65 GRAND, WITH TANDEM AXEL i THINK IT A 1999, BUT U MIGHT BE ABLE TO BUY IT FOR LESS. BUT CHECK OUT THE CLASSIFIED ADDS, HE HAS A PICTURE IN THE ADD. AND THERE ARE OTHERS BESIDES THAT ONE THAT YOU CAN CHECK ON.
GIVE IT A CHANCE IF YOU LIKE IT FINE, THEN WHAT IF YOU DONT, YOUR STUCK WITH A TRUCK YOU CANT PAY FOR.

 

[Weave]

It's possible to make it, and spring is on its way and things pick up. As "newbies" DO NOT go out and buy an expensive truck to start out with. Truth is, EVERYONE I know up to this point who did went down for the count, and did so very fast. It is a painful and embarassing experience, and I am being very serious here.
Running as a new team, try to find something decent in the $50-70k range that is comfortable for you. If you do well and establish yourself businesswise after a couple of years, then you can go buy the luxo-liner. At that point you'll know for sure what you can afford.
If you buy a cheaper rig to start out with, the trial won't be an instance where you put "everything on the line" and died trying.
Giving expediting a try isn't something you have to loose everything if it doesn't work out.
-Weave-

 

[Larry]

These guys are right. You have to be carefull about which company you go with. I would suggest going to truck stops and finding drivers from different companies and talk with them (especially new drivers).

There are a lot of drivers out there just making enough money to keep the truck on the road. That is not getting ahead. The truck is depreciating faster than they are putting money in the bank. If you do not want to sign on with an owner then purchase a used truck. If you are mechanically inclined, able to do much of the preventive maintenance you can get into a cheaper truck. Weave will tell you to stay away from anything with a 250 hp Cat engine and 7 speed Spicer transmission (these are usually Freightliner FL 70's).

5 months ago I bought a 98 Freighliner with @ 350,000 miles and complete maintenance history (@ $16,000). We then have put in new clutch, new exhaust and new brakes. We also had to replace the head gasket. The total for this reposessed truck has been about $18,500 (I did much of the labor). If the engine gives me 2 years, this was a pretty good deal. If the engine goes - then it wasn't a good deal.

The bottom line is - you better know what you are doing. I heard that Mercedes Finance won't provide financing for their Freightliner Expediting trucks. That should tell you the current state of this business.

Good luck.

 

[FJK1954]

well all i can tell u is this..i just started as a new solo with fedexcc in august..i did great until december...and if i didnt have savings would probably already have went down the tubes...i had 2 runs three weeks ago, one the next week, and one last week...have been sitting in express centeres 2-3 days at a time....but i guess its that way everywhere...i dont know...i just know if this keeps up my 50 k investment was a very bad idea!!! im sitting at home now cause its cheaper....hope things pick up....do yopur homework,,and listen to these veterans...they know..theyve been there...goood luck..frank p.s....so much for the fedex hiring freeze huh???;-) x(

 

[vejhn]

well i can only tell you about tristate. my wife and i have been teaming with them since january of this year. and as far as freight being slow we have not sat waiting for loads hardly at all. i dont notice a slow time. i may have got in it as it was picking up. i have had another load before i dropped off the load i was delivering many times. no place is perfect tho so just ask other drivers too. im not getting rich but im not going hungry either. good luck born free.

 

[DooWop]

How are solo drivers doing at TriState? Glad to hear that you are doing well with them. Good Luck

Doowop

 

[vejhn]

im not sure about solos with tristate. i talked to one yesterday and he hasnt been home for over 2 monthes. but he doesnt mind being out. im sorry but i have a life. as far as how much he has sat or anything in them 2 monthes i dont know. thanks doowop

 

[highway star]

I have no experience running team but from what I've seen I think it's very hard to pay operating expenses and still get two decent incomes from a truck. Most successful teams seem to be husband/wife because the revenue goes into one kitty. I would also be very careful about the legalities of the arrangement, wether it's dual ownership of the unit or one owner and an employee. Should the team break up, having a contract that spells out that process will save a lot of fighting. From what I've heard Con-Way and Tri-state teams do pretty well, and that Con-Way does quite a bit of non-automotive freight. Freight seems to be picking up a little bit, but I'm not as busy as I was this time last year. Good luck!

 

[frozenrope8]

Our company is keeping our drivers busy. No forced dispatch, take whatever loads you want. Lowest deadhead and least down time. Ability to elevate your income with various ways of getting expedited loads. Don't have to just sit and wait days on end for loads. Even haul for our sister companies. Known as the most contractor friendly company, LandStar Express America is not for everyone but, it might be right for you. Don't make any decisions until you find out more. Even paid lodging for your orientation. e-mail me at [email protected] for more info. I have 10 years experience in this business.:7