hello from central ohio new to the forum

[luvtheroad]

Hi all,
I'm located in central Ohio and am new to the forum. I've just gotten out of truck driving school for my class A cdl. Been in the industry doing things other than driving for many years. Now its time to go otr.
Any help that I can get from any of you would be greatly appreciated.
I don't know whether I want to do expedite or hot shot. Can someone tell me whats going on in either?
I am curious about the way you're paid, is it by the mile, flat rate, etc and about how much a mile.




Thanks!

 

[Jack_Berry]

Hi all,
I'm located in central Ohio and am new to the forum. I've just gotten out of truck driving school for my class A cdl. Been in the industry doing things other than driving for many years. Now its time to go otr.

this is not true otr. this is expedite. hurry up and wait. wait some more and wait a little longer then hurry up. otr keeps you moving. if you have bills to pay then otr would be better.

Any help that I can get from any of you would be greatly appreciated.

it is always suggested to read back a couple years to learn about the industry. read all the main forums. visit the carrier section. although shorter in duration it will give insight into concerns folks have right now about their carrier. use the search and advanced search. use "" around your subject to get the best results.


I don't know whether I want to do expedite or hot shot. Can someone tell me whats going on in either?

as has been posted repeatedly in all the new information request threads.....it-is-very-slow-right-now-in-expedite. there is a separate hotshot forum. hotshot being car hauling and flat bedding behind a p-u truck, right? i know a few folks in transportation who interchangeably use expedite and hotshot.

I am curious about the way you're paid, is it by the mile, flat rate, etc and about how much a mile.

you might want to call several recruiters and ask what they are currently offering. you need to speak to the recruiters to determine if a certain company is a fit for your expectations.

the best suggestion is to find a fleet owner who needs a driver or a co-driver and spend a year or more learning about this business.


Thanks!

if you decide to get into this business may GOD have mercy on your soul.

 

[greg334]

if you decide to get into this business may GOD have mercy on your soul.

Jack,
You are starting to sound like me.

 

[luvtheroad]

Well that's all food for thought isn't it? Believe me when I tell you that I understand what the economy has done to the entire transportation industry. There is a little more freight for the truckload carriers, but not much. LTL carriers are also suffering. If you thought that rates were being cut before you ought to see it now in those two areas. It's incredible. I realize if those two are slow then expedite will be too.
I've had years in the trucking industry but nothing that was involved in what's considered true expedite.
When I mention OTR what I meant was running all over the country,not being a regional driver.
I've been talking to a large expedite company, who's recruiter really can't tell me anything about the money part of it. I'd be working for a fleet owner not actually for the company itself.
So, that being said, would I be considered a contract worker or what?
Since I'm not working for the company it's safe to assume that I'll be paying my own insurance?
Is it smarter to be paid mileage rather than % ?
What's an average on the rate per mile?
What's an average if a driver is being paid a % ?
I don't want to starve or become homeless in a truck LOL
So, any of you who want to lay it on the line, please do, believe me you won't hurt my feelings. And, thanks to you who have already answered some of my questions.

 

[pelicn]

Well that's all food for thought isn't it? Believe me when I tell you that I understand what the economy has done to the entire transportation industry. There is a little more freight for the truckload carriers, but not much. LTL carriers are also suffering. If you thought that rates were being cut before you ought to see it now in those two areas. It's incredible. I realize if those two are slow then expedite will be too.
I've had years in the trucking industry but nothing that was involved in what's considered true expedite.
When I mention OTR what I meant was running all over the country,not being a regional driver.
I've been talking to a large expedite company, who's recruiter really can't tell me anything about the money part of it. I'd be working for a fleet owner not actually for the company itself.
So, that being said, would I be considered a contract worker or what?

If you are driving for a fleet owner, you'd be an independent contractor. Responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc.

Since I'm not working for the company it's safe to assume that I'll be paying my own insurance?

Yes

Is it smarter to be paid mileage rather than % ?

% usually 60/40 if the driver is paying for fuel, 40/60 if the owner is paying the fuel

What's an average on the rate per mile?

Depends on the owners contract with the carrier

What's an average if a driver is being paid a % ?

to many variables
I don't want to starve or become homeless in a truck LOL
So, any of you who want to lay it on the line, please do, believe me you won't hurt my feelings. And, thanks to you who have already answered some of my questions.[/quote]