Hello-Newbie with a question??

galogistics · Mar 11, 2010

Hello ladies and gents, I wanted to tell everyone thx for the great information that has seen posted here about trucking. Because of that I have decided to go into the business of logistics. I will be purchasing my freightliner in the near future and hiring two drivers so I can start working for FedEx Custom critical program as owner/operator. Do you have guys/gals have any literature, opinions, and facts about custom critical besides what I got from FedEx. I would really appreciate it.

I am hearing people are making a killing out there and if so what is the average. I am not try to retire soon but would like at least pay the truck note and expenses.

LDB · Mar 11, 2010

The best advice I can give you is to get your expediter degree before you do anything else just like you'd get your accounting or law or mechanics degree before starting any of those careers. Luckily, this degree is easier to get and far less expensive. You get it by reading back through a couple of years of posts in the general, newbies and recruiter forums. That doesn't mean every word of every post, it means a lot of what's there. Choose the threads that sound like they are educational and read them. You'll find the answers you are looking for and lots of additional information you don't even know to ask about.

galogistics · Mar 11, 2010

Thank you LDB

layoutshooter · Mar 11, 2010

You should slow down as well, don't be in a hurry to jump into this. Read these forums for a while then ask more questions.

xiggi · Mar 11, 2010

I think you will not find many people claiming to be making a killing. Some people are struggling to get by, some are doing ok but making a killing you missed that by a few years. Make sure you have enough money in the bank for major repairs. There will be times your drivers sit for days or need to take a week off. Your truck, ins, etc payments are still due.

Can a person do ok, sure but it is far from as simple as putting a couple warm bodies in a truck and wait for the checks to roll in.

greg334 · Mar 11, 2010

FedEx a logistics company?

When did that happen?

Well anywho, don't tie yourself to one company but see what fills your needs and goals. Most don't put goals into the equation and seem to get frustrated when things don't work their way.

Turtle · Mar 11, 2010

Some of the most frustrated owners of expedited trucks that I know are those who own trucks but who have never driven one in expediting. Just something to keep in mind.

x06col · Mar 12, 2010

LDB said:
The best advice I can give you is to get your expediter degree before you do anything else just like you'd get your accounting or law or mechanics degree before starting any of those careers. Luckily, this degree is easier to get and far less expensive. You get it by reading back through a couple of years of posts in the general, newbies and recruiter forums. That doesn't mean every word of every post, it means a lot of what's there. Choose the threads that sound like they are educational and read them. You'll find the answers you are looking for and lots of additional information you don't even know to ask about.

I'd suggest an internship myself. Wayyy better'n reading most of the crap on here. Regardless, if you are going to go buy a truck and put a couple clowns in it.......you'll have earned your Doctorate before ya know it.

OntarioVanMan · Mar 12, 2010

x06col said:
I'd suggest an internship myself. Wayyy better'n reading most of the crap on here. Regardless, if you are going to go buy a truck and put a couple clowns in it.......you'll have earned your Doctorate before ya know it.

Don't you be making fun of the clowns now...these carriers(3 ring Circus) put a lot of effort to produce these clowns...

They first go to the Big Top ( orientation) to meet the ringmaster(recruiter) from there they are told, When,Where, and how they will perform, they will be told pay will vary with performance ovation(shippers)....Then if they make it this far, introduction to the animal trainers(dispatch) where they are told they will perform as requested in a line-up that varies from show to show...When someone needs a laugh they will be sent out at the lowest rate of pay...
The clown that performs the best will get the better showtimes and a bigger part of the ticket take$$...

After the Big Show the clowns are expected to put away their toys and take off the make-up and move to the next location all unpaid of course because the Circus gives you this great opportunity to perform you should be kissing their feet (optional)

BillChaffey · Mar 12, 2010

I think your making a LARGE mistake in purchasing a Truck with no experience in the field. Plus you want to put two strangers in it which makes you an owner not a O\O, unless theres three of you in the rig. Drive for someone first would be my humble suggestion.

galogistics · Mar 12, 2010

I appreciate everyone's feedback. Maybe I used the wrong words by saying "killing". I am looking into supplmenting my current income, not making this as my sole income. My friend is an owner/operator with one truck for the FedEx custom critical program and claiming he is net income is 2K/week. I highly doubt that, that is why I am asking all the nice folks here. I do not trust him. Are there better companies that have similar and comporable programs like FedEx?

layoutshooter · Mar 12, 2010

There are many other expediting companies out there. They may or may not be better than FedEx depending on the needs of the owner or driver. One company that fits one will not always fit another. It appears that you need to take a lot more time to study this. As said before, there is no rush. Slow down and study more.

x06col · Mar 12, 2010

Supplimenting??? I wonder?? I'd say tho, if yer in a large tax bracket you'll prolly appreciate the deductions. I understand you are thoroughly convinced buttt.....yer still askin.

galogistics · Mar 12, 2010

Thank you both for the response. Nothing is free in this world and I have to earn my stripes. So I will roll out my sleeves and educate myself about expediting and being an owner/operator. Any website or information in plain english not truck lingo to start my research is very much appreciated. I looked into this site, but all the info is scattered and hard to put it all together. By the way, I am not yet convinced that is why I am here. If all is good, I will probably start around Sept 2010.

layoutshooter · Mar 12, 2010

galogistics said:
Thank you both for the response. Nothing is free in this world and I have to earn my stripes. So I will roll out my sleeves and educate myself about expediting and being an owner/operator. Any website or information in plain english not truck lingo to start my research is very much appreciated. I looked into this site, but all the info is scattered and hard to put it all together. By the way, I am not yet convinced that is why I am here. If all is good, I will probably start around Sept 2010.

This is one of the easiest sites to work with. Many of us are new to trucking as well. Take your time and ask specific questions. That will get around the lingo.

dabluzman1 · Mar 12, 2010

OntarioVanMan said:
Don't you be making fun of the clowns now...these carriers(3 ring Circus) put a lot of effort to produce these clowns...

They first go to the Big Top ( orientation) to meet the ringmaster(recruiter) from there they are told, When,Where, and how they will perform, they will be told pay will vary with performance ovation(shippers)....Then if they make it this far, introduction to the animal trainers(dispatch) where they are told they will perform as requested in a line-up that varies from show to show...When someone needs a laugh they will be sent out at the lowest rate of pay...
The clown that performs the best will get the better showtimes and a bigger part of the ticket take$$...

After the Big Show the clowns are expected to put away their toys and take off the make-up and move to the next location all unpaid of course because the Circus gives you this great opportunity to perform you should be kissing their feet (optional)

I like the circus.

3 years in a row over 6 figures.

send in the clowns.

x06col · Mar 13, 2010

I agree six figures is easy to do. And lucrative when split two ways ..company/contractor.

I'd imagine tho, the soup would get pretty thin when split four ways..company/contractor/driver 1/driver 2.

dabluzman1 · Mar 13, 2010

x06col said:
I agree six figures is easy to do. And lucrative when split two ways ..company/contractor.

I'd imagine tho, the soup would get pretty thin when split four ways..company/contractor/driver 1/driver 2.

companyy/contractor/driver1/driver2........HEY THATS ME

sumptin i dink i wrong............

me and da wife net (pretax) over 6 figars for the last three depressed years.........

GO REFIGURE

thanx for having me clarify it .......

Some of you just dont get it......there is very good money
to be made being a "clown" as so stupidly put.

The only thing that could be better, is to be the owner/1 driver/ 2 driver..............then I would get that 38% as well.

OOOPPPPss , I may have given away the secret to making
even more money in the circus.

If ya want to to hear it col......6 figures is my wife and my take.....not truck gross.
Some depression, huh.

Soup is getting mighty tasty, of course it is only the
appetizer for our surf and turf.

x06col · Mar 13, 2010

Oh I know Bluz. If'n ya wanna refiggure I did six pretty consistently running single except for when I were proving someone. The extra 40% and the true revenue really add up.

Keep er up, an i'll see ya fish'in or a pikk'in session someday. Yer doin gooder, keep it up.

dabluzman1 · Mar 13, 2010

x06col said:
Oh I know Bluz. If'n ya wanna refiggure I did six pretty consistently running single except for when I were proving someone. The extra 40% and the true revenue really add up.

Keep er up, an i'll see ya fish'in or a pikk'in session someday. Yer doin gooder, keep it up.

x06col, I am stunned

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement.

I would be very pleased to have you visit one of my sessions

Now, if I can only get the banks to pony up with a good rate,

we would be owner/ 1 driver/ 2 driver. All in due time.