help from the audience plz

tnt1271 · Jan 30, 2008

Ok.... Here is the scenerio last week took a load to El paso sat for a couple of days there were also 2 trucks ahead of me. So they empty moved me to oklahoma city. sat there then they empty moved me to springfield, mo sat there the rest of the weekend. So they empty moved me to Mt. Vernon, IL needless to say everytime tried to get a backhaul instead nothing going to a good area. So then talked to team leader discussed the fact that we haven't had a load in 7 days so he said that was typical for january. Ah then a load offer picking up in la vergne, tn 243 miles from where I am at delivering 710 miles to st. petersburg, fl. I turned it down because of the dh and all the fuel I just paid in empty moving and Probably would have to dh out of florida. So did I make the right decision? HELP!!!!!!!!!

ATeam · Jan 30, 2008

Truck type?

Carrier name?

tnt1271 · Jan 30, 2008

staight truck and Tristate.

nightcreacher · Jan 30, 2008

1st mistake you made was taking a load to el paso tx,not much comes out of there.now that you have all these dead head miles,and where you are,depending on what the load to fl paid,whether it was a good move or not.You didnt mention if you were a H/W team or just a team of 2 people,i asume you are a team.

tnt1271 · Jan 30, 2008

First of all we are H/W team. we were in Mt. Vernon, Il but none of that matters now got a better load offer a few hours later. thanks anyway

arkjarhead · Jan 30, 2008

So do you want to learn from it for the future or no?

EagleRiverWI · Jan 30, 2008

I wish I was in Florida instead of frozen South Bend, IN.

tnt1271 · Jan 31, 2008

well of course I do I would appreciate any feed back on this scenario. thanks. so nightcreacher are you saying I shouldnt take loads to el paso?

Falligator · Jan 31, 2008

<<Wishes he was in Florida...thinking of sandy beaches and warm temps. Anyone sitting in Shepardsville, KY?

Tennesseahawk · Jan 31, 2008

OKCity? Springfield, MO? Mt Vernon, IL? Do they have ppl with darts and a map on the wall saying "Where should we send him now? hehe"?

You know you can go where you want, right? You don't have to take their suggestions.

tnt1271 · Jan 31, 2008

Yes but correct me if I am wrong. If they are paying you for the empty move shouldn't you go there. We are new with tristate and haven't figured out the good areas yet.

JohnO · Jan 31, 2008

Developing a good working relationship with agent/dispatchers can be a tremendous asset when trying to get loaded.

Asking questions of agents/dispatchers when their not real busy and have the time can aid in developing that relationship. Always being professional even if other party is having a bad hair day will also be a positive down the road.

With Landstar having a laptop with aircard is a bonus when trying to figure where best location for next load is. Using program they developed I can see where load came into and left as well as truck’s location and destination while under load. Using this system takes a lot of the guess work out of the scenario.

arkjarhead · Jan 31, 2008

Loads to El Paso usually look good on the surface because they have decent miles behind them. The down side to that is it's hard to get out. I made the same mistake myself once. Sit for three days and finally got a load to Louisville, KY. Went to load and come to find out the load didn't clear customs. So I was loadless again. I ended up going to Dallas. Dispatch said go to Memphis. I told them I had to go by my house to get to Memphis so I went home. I don't blame you for not going to Florida. You most likely would have had to dh out of there to Atlanta or Huntsville, Al and I don't know how good those boards are anymore. I always had good luck getting out of Laredo but I don't how that board is anymore. One thing to remember is the east side of the Mississippi River is always a safe bet. I'm not going to say you can't go wrong, but it's a lot less distance between decent boards on the east side than it is out west. I would suggest keeping a notebook and write down a place when you layover there and how long it took you to get a load. This isn't fool proof, but it will help. No two days are the same in expedite that's why I say it isn't fool proof. Of course you most likely know that by now.

Suds43 · Jan 31, 2008

This is the way it was at Tri-State, things might have changed by now..

If they offer an 'empty move' bonus, it's .20/mi..........once you reach your destination you have to stay on that board for 24 hrs. or lose your bonus money. After 24 hrs. they can bonus you again to another board. They do this to get you back to a better area. The whole time your driving to and sitting at the new board, their looking for loads for you.
Can't remember if you lose your bonus pay if you refuse a load or not.........has been awhile. Of course, their policies may have changed... If I'm right, they pay $1.20/loaded mile + FSC...... .20/mi. after the first 50 when dh'ing to a pick up.

I think I would have taken the load to Fl.......just to be loaded again and making some money.....The most you'd have to Dh out of Fl would be back to Georgia.............
But then, I'd of missed out on the 'better load' that you got.........lol

It's a crap shoot!!!!! location, location, location.............
But the main lesson here...........don't go to El Paso!!

been there/done that with the same results you had

groinster · Feb 12, 2008

We have never had a problem with El Paso. Expediting is what it is and being in the right place at the right time helps. Luck of the draw. That said...El Paso is not a good board to be on. We have just been lucky (knock on wood) with it so far. Heck, the first time we went to the LA board, we were loaded and headed back east within 24 hours. The next two times were terrible. I told you that I would have made dinner if you had come to the house!

Broompilot · Feb 17, 2008

Many trucks been sitting in Texas. (thus what my friends sitting down there tell me) TX in January thru April to many trucks for low amount of freight = what you described. Some are lucky in getting in and out but I bet the $ just is not what it is July thru Dec.

Texas gets better towards the end of any month, also better at the end of any quarter, and double as good Aug-Dec.

Jan-Feb just aint going there without a back up plan or close to the end of a month. That is for Straight Truck 22ft Box Single Axle Solo and probably Team. Special services such as A Teams they have got a different plan most likely. Some can pull loads out of a Tire shop with two flats, I have only been that lucky with all tires round in Chicago or WI.