had enought

beachbum20714 · Oct 8, 2006

just quit today.truck broke down twice in a week.i know thats business,but doesn't pay my bills.i liked what i was doing,loved it.but i think that in this business you have to have your own truck,that way when the truck ,or anything else goes wrong you can't blame anybody but your self.paying for fuel wasn't fun ,when you have to split the run with someone.when they offer you a $400 run you get 60% then you put fuel in the truck,you haven't made any money,not that much anyway.my trucks fuel gauge was broke,so i had to go by mileage,then put in idling time,not good.so maybe i will get back into this business at a later date.i know that some people on here are going to say that i'm being a baby about this but truck not running = no money.if you can have a truck that is not yours down for 4 days,you are at home not doing anything,i guess your better than me,i do'nt have alot of back up money.i am in know way bad monthing the guy i worked for,my o/o.he has done every thing to get this truck up and running,he lives 3 hrs away from me so kind of hard to do things so far away.truck is fixed ,got the call today,but i already took a job in balt md.a company out of TENN.$42,000 start.not to bad,about $20 an hr.not to bad,well i want to say that i had fun doing this job,meet alot of good people.

Broompilot · Oct 8, 2006

Your not gona be called a BABY by me. Its very aggrivating to break down but twice in a week, and than to try to guage a business when the gauges do not even work. I agree with you.

This is a great warning to all of you WANTING TO DO THIS, alot of O/O cannot afford to keep these trucks in operational condition. Many on this site reccommend DRIVE SOME ONE ELSES TRUCK FIRST, as this was told to me over and over again. NO THANKS DO YOURSELF A FAVOR SAVE UP AND BUY YOUR OWN AND MAKE THE COMMITTMENT THAT THIS WILL WORK OUT why cause YOU invested in it......

Perfect Example Beachbum illistrated here on another one bites the dust. I hate to see him go, he has posted some great questions and comments here. Good Luck glad to see you got a decent job...

beachbum20714 · Oct 8, 2006

thanks, broompilot for not calling me lazyor a quter.my fuel gauge stop working to to long after i got the truck.the o/o said you can go about 1,000 miles thats a good stopping point for refueling.well if you take money off of your runs and save it on the comdata card,you haven't made much.i took another job driving 2 weeks out of the month,flying 2 weeks,going to be a regional manger in charge of 12 drivers over many states.pay not to bad $45,000 to start.if i ever come back to expediting i will be driving my own truck.thanks for everone that gave me advice,it came in handy.i have 2 offers to drive for other o/o 70/30 split,but i think for now i would like to try something else.be safe out there.

darkunicorn · Oct 8, 2006

sounds like you know the business so get your own truck and go for it unless you think you'll be happier at a job.

Night_Runner36 · Oct 9, 2006

you wont be called a baby by Me beach from the start your luck was bad from what I had seen you post good luck in your new job Bro I know what it's hars My wife hates My being gone and out so long and the fuel I burn while sitting but has a leased driver I cant go out and buy a gen. if things dont start turning around I may say forget it as well or try My hand in a van who knows still top of the 8th ...lol

ATeam · Oct 9, 2006

From what I remember of Beachbum's posts, he researched the industry for about a year before jumping in. Is that correct, beach?

His questions seemed like the right ones to ask.

From what he reports now, he

1. Entered the business without a lot of cash reserves.

2. His owner/operator (fleet owner?) put him in a truck with a defective fuel guage and expected him to keep running it.

3. The truck broke down at least twice, leaving beachbum at the mercy of the fleet owner's repair pace and philosophy, and to fend for himself somewhere on the road.

Suggestions to other newbies:

1. If you enter the business, do so with sufficient cash reserves.

2. Choose a fleet owner who has a history of running good equipment; and if he or she does anything less, find another fleet owner fast.

davekc · Oct 9, 2006

Real good advice. If your heart and wallet aren't into expediting, your better off seeking something else.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

beachbum20714 · Oct 18, 2006

thanks, for all of you guys input.i really liked expediting.time away from home not to bad.i just needed for my o/o to give me some advice on some things, and it seemed like pulling teeth.what where the best places to lay over,and things like that.i wasn't explained alot of things,had to learn the hard way.i know the next time if at all i get back into this,i will have my own truck.

mrgoodtude · Oct 20, 2006

Hey Beach,
Some folks have no business being fleet owners.
Those that do are with you cradle to grave and they do exist.
If you decide to make another go of it give me a yell, I can point you to some stellar owner types, hell one even responded to your post.
Good luck! Wish you were still here.
Mike and Cyn