H/W teams

[mikeangel]

I have a question. Imagine that. My mom and step dad want to get into expediting, but she's reluctant to quit her present job. She asked me If in expediting could she make more than 42,000 a year. I told her I don't see why not because for one their a h/w team so the money's going to the same place, and two they plan on buying there own unit. I told them I would ask the pro's on EO to get a better advice about this matter because i'm still fairly new to expediting. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[layoutshooter]

What size truck? Leased to which company? Hazmat? Canada? D.O.D. clearences? All that goes into the mix. We had a very nice increase in our combined income when we went into this business. Things are a bit slower right now, but not much slower for us. We have all the bells and whistles so that is keeping us running when many others are not. Welcome to the forum. Layoutshooter

 

[mikeangel]

Hey layoutshooter, I'm not really sure what unit they might go with they'll probably go straight truck. My step dad's got class A with all endorsements and I think my mom's more willing to go for class B. Right now their talking about going with panther because that's who I'm with and they have training for spouses. I"m not sure exactly what they plan on doing at the moment they just know they want to expedite. My step dad drove for baker for 35 years and retired in september, so now he wants to try expedite. Thank for the reply

 

[x06col]

She feels she "needs" 42K or more a year. What does yer step daddy need on top of that??

Many work a day folks that have always been on the dole, with taxes taken out, don't understand the benefits of self employment.

If she's in any way anal bout a steady, uninterupted $807 a week in her pocket - - she better stay on the porch.

 

[Jack_Berry]

if mom is making that kind of coin then what is her family insurance costing? after looking at "trucks and companies" then the health coverage has to be quoted. does she want minimum coverage or real coverage?

 

[Suds43]

Good point Jack. I wonder just how many people in expedited are trying to get by without health insurance. That's nothing more than a disaster waiting to happen...........
and trust me, sooner or later it will happen!!!

 

[mikeangel]

I want to thank everyone one on this site for their excellent advice and insight, so the comments I'm about to make Is only directed toward one person. X06col back in Oct my wife was on here asking advice about expediting because we were new to the game and then you a accused her of just being after my paycheck and totally disrespected her and now I ask about My parents coming into the business and you say my mom should stay on the porch. Listen to me you ignorant s.o.b my mom has worked her a## off In the same factory for 30 years she deserves to be able to experience life outside of those four walls. I have respect for this game and each and every person out there keeping america moving with that said If whatever I'm saying In this reply gets me kicked off this site then so be It. I've had enough of you derogatory comments about something you no nothing about.

 

[TeamCaffee]

The things to ask your parents would be are they in a position in their lives where they can handle the ups and downs of expediting?

Getting out of a factory and being out here for your mom sounds like a reprieve from a prison sentence.

Your question is very hard to reply to as it depends a lot of how they get into this business.

What kind of truck are they going to buy and how much they will put down or will they buy out right?
Will they do the research to make sure they get the most aerodynamic truck possible?
Will they be able to make the transition to being out here on the road and not going home often?
They do need to think about insurance, funding their own retirement, estimated taxes and that list can go on and on.
They are to me at a perfect time of their lives to jump into this business.
Have they talked to Panther yet? I would suggest they ask Panther for a few teams they could talk to. You are also in a perfect position to talk face to face with a bunch of different teams and get info straight from the horse’s mouth on how they are doing.
I wish them luck it is a hard decision to break from the norm and do this but as you know it is a lot of fun being out here.

 

[moose]

"...Listen to me you ignorant s.o.b..."

that's wasn't called for !
if you have a problem with a member on this forum , maybe the PM is a good option,(just ask him not to respond to your posts...)
or sending a PM to Lowrance /Dreamer .
its this kind of behavior that keep so many good expeditors that have a lot to say - just lurking around and never posts , i know that first hand , many are PM me just because they afraid to post on the open forum .
as stated , just the other night we had over 2000 open laptops on the main server - yet only a handful of expeditors posts that night.

to the point , as stated here many times before - this is not an "payed RV vacation " if you buy an expediter truck "to see the country " you are most likely to go broke doing that ,and can potentially loose a life time saving .

i hope i landed on your good side this morning ...




Moose.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Mike... you tell your mom she could make $42k; but did you also tell her she could make $24k?

Sometimes, especially nowadays, it's better to grin and bear it. In these times, a factory job is like winning the lottery.

 

[x06col]

Ahhh mikey, I been told a hunnert times on this site that I know nothing bout tis business. And with yer hunert first suggestion, I jes decided, I don't. Now do ya feel better???

But, if she can't handle $403 fer a couple/few weeks, then $1209 fer a couple/ few weeks it's not a good ting. If it is all bout a stay level or redeming PAYCHECK in these interesting times, then by all means, she should stay on the porch. Cause it sure seems that money/income is a major issue here.

Maybe she outa consider finishing doing her time, THEN git herself a camping truck, git in the business, an none of this'll be a problem.

 

[Humble2drive]

Mikeangel,

It might be possible that you are being a little over sensitive regarding what the col is posting. Without the ability to hear someones tone of voice and inflection in a post it is very easy to take some comments as being harsh when it is just someones way of communicating a point. I seriously doubt that col is taking the time to point these things out just to insult you so I will attempt to interpret his post

She feels she "needs" 42K or more a year. What does yer step daddy need on top of that??.

This is actually a good question that will help people to give you a meaningful answer. Do they desire 42k as a couple or is your Step Father looking for a certain income. This makes a big difference. My wife and I were looking to replace her income; however, I receive retirement so I do not need to replace any. My wife made in excess of the amount above and we have replaced it and more.

Many work a day folks that have always been on the dole, with taxes taken out, don't understand the benefits of self employment..

We just completed our taxes. With all of the allowable deductions, our bill came out dramatically less than we had estimated and we will get an unforseen bonus. Maybe that's kinda what he's talking about here??

If she's in any way anal bout a steady, uninterupted $807 a week in her pocket - - she better stay on the porch.??.

The revenue flow in Expediting is like the stock market. Up and down with dramatic shifts. This can drive someone nuts that is used to receiving a steady amount and following a strict budget based on that amount. If your Mother is that type of personality it could be very stressful to worry about what each weeks pay may bring. If this is the case, she may be happier staying at home and enjoying a frozen margarita on the porch with your Step Dad.

My point is to take the well intentioned advice and don't try to be offended by how people come across on this forum. When I first came on EO and stated I was going to buy a truck. I was somewhat "attacked" and advised not to. Indeed, this was good advice at the time and we are driving for a fleet owner until the time is right.

Good Luck to both you and the parents.

 

[cheri1122]

Mikeangel: I can completely understand where you're coming from, but if you will read enough of the Col's posts, you'll be able to see beyond the crusty curmudgeon typing, and realize that he does try to help folks from getting in over their heads, in his own inimitable way.
I don't understand why folks are 'afraid' to speak up here - it's just words, ya know? There's so many of us, with so many bits to add to the whole, but there's always room for more - jump in, ok? Really: the more, the merrier!

 

[TeamCaffee]

I have found it is just easier to skip over what the x06col is saying as I do not feel like taking the time to figure his cryptic style. Cheri is right if you do not like the way a poster writes just skip that post and move on. There are some really really good opinions posted on EO. Leo has a lot of information on how to save money out here and prosper. As Leo would say have you mom and step dad get on here and read at least a year’s posts. I would say read everything you can include the x06Col as sometimes they really do make a lot of sense.

 

[inkasnana]

Mikeangel, My hubby and I started expediting in Oct of 2007 because we were both out of work at the same time and desperately needed an income. The first few months were a huge adjustment period and only the real need for the paycheck (we drive for a fleet owner) kept us out here.

Below is just items that your mom and step-dad need to think about and discuss, and is not at all meant to be a discouragement, rather a reality.

Learning to cohabit with your spouse 24/7 for weeks at a time in a tiny little "box" takes a lot of willpower and "grin and bear it". Learning to sleep in a moving, bouncing, noisy sleeper takes patience and persistence. (I'm STILL trying to master that.) Learning to drive a truck (even a straight truck) in winter weather can be nerve-wracking. Even driving a truck on a beautiful, sunny day in rush hour clogged traffic through a big city can wear on the best of drivers.

Showers do not come every day, and a lot of times truck stop showers leave a lot to be desired. Part of the process is learning where to stay and which places to avoid and usually is just a matter of trial and error. As others have stated, load amounts vary from week to week. Some weeks they may run every day, while others they may find themselves sitting more days than they run and they will need to be able to adapt to that.

To be fair, no one told us this was going to be an "easy" job, though no one told us how trying and difficult the first year was going to be either. It takes a boat-load of patience and perseverance, will-power to succeed and willingness to do what it takes to make sure you succeed. We are still out here because we have come to love what we do. Both the good and the bad and we take it all in stride. It is a "lifestyle" that you really have to want to adapt to or it won't work.

Your mom and step-dad really need to talk about everything that goes with the way of life on the road and make sure they can both adapt completely. It's more involved than just the weekly paycheck.

 

[cheri1122]

I know the advice to skip a member's posts if you don't tend to agree with their style (or whatever) is often given, but that's not what I said. I meant to judge folks on more than just one or two posts, because we all have our 'off' days, or bad moods, or something, but it's the overall body of writing one should consider, before getting the knickers in a bunch. The Col's style takes some getting used to, but I find most of his advice is well meant, even when it qualifies as blunt trauma, lol.