If you have had a blessed year,

tumbleweeds · Jan 2, 2012

We met some fellow expediters who were cold and hungry. Not much work for them this season and their owner was slow in paying them. If you have had a blessed year why not keep Christmas in you year round. Look around the vans at the truck stop and at least buy someone a cup of coffee to keep them warm on these cold nights. Do more if you can.

Sometimes my wife and I forget how lucky we have been. I'm starting to sound like a bleeding heart liberal, but if you knew me, I used to like Rush until he moved so far left.

Non of us should have to shiver in the dark for a lack of a half tank of fuel.

Anyway, just a thought.

MissKat · Jan 2, 2012

It's a good thought. Pay it forward I think its called. A man came to Panther Orientation last week with $12 and a Quality lease to own truck. We befriended him so he could eat. And gave him a ride to get his truck fixed. It could be the guy sitting next to you these days, you never know.

davekc · Jan 2, 2012

Hope everyone has a great year. That $12.00 at orientation is just disturbing. He may be a sinking ship and has yet to know it.

MissKat · Jan 2, 2012

Dave, he wasn't the only one. A young man drove his van from Calif. And had nothing left. No air mattress, etc.

MissKat · Jan 2, 2012

Two other drivers (one sprinter) one straight came to orientation but their two owners had not told them where to find their vehicles. This is all in a class of 17.

davekc · Jan 2, 2012

MissKat said:
Two other drivers (one sprinter) one straight came to orientation but their two owners had not told them where to find their vehicles. This is all in a class of 17.

Just frightening I tell you.

highway star · Jan 2, 2012

Frightening indeed. How does someone...

I just sort of flashed back to that scene in The Blues Brothers.

We've got a full tank of gas, a pack of cigarettes, it's dark out, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it!

idtrans · Jan 2, 2012

It's very sad to see folks in that financial condition. The sad part I don't see it getting any better anytime soon !

God bless them

guido4475 · Jan 2, 2012

tumbleweeds said:
We met some fellow expediters who were cold and hungry. Not much work for them this season and their owner was slow in paying them. If you have had a blessed year why not keep Christmas in you year round. Look around the vans at the truck stop and at least buy someone a cup of coffee to keep them warm on these cold nights. Do more if you can.

Sometimes my wife and I forget how lucky we have been. I'm starting to sound like a bleeding heart liberal, but if you knew me, I used to like Rush until he moved so far left.

Non of us should have to shiver in the dark for a lack of a half tank of fuel.

Anyway, just a thought.

You are so right.I just took the space heater out this weekend, but now that I have the generator and espar, I'm going to put it back in tomarrow, that way, if there is someone who cant afford to run their van, or get a motel room, I can run my extension cord to them and let them use the space heater to stay warm.I've been there once or twice.It isnt a good feeling.Let's all do what we can to help out others who arent as blessed as we are.Share youre shower credits, points, etc.Whatever it takes.

idtrans · Jan 2, 2012

Anytime I have a shower credit I always offer on the cb if anyone needs a shower I just goto fuel desk say we are team drivers and need 2 showers. And why not the truckstops rip us off always higher fuel prices bad over priced coffee and friendly rude service. LOL

chefdennis · Jan 2, 2012

I am sure most gere have and will continue to help out those that are in need...food, shower credits, a tank of gas, help fixing a truck...the key is to keep it up...

as to those getting into this business without the proper funding and showing up at orientation with maybe enough to cover the cost of the drug test...well as was said, chances are they are a failure waiting to happen....

guido4475 · Jan 2, 2012

Yea, that is true, they may be a failure waiting to happen, and not have the proper emergency fund set up, 5 months of bills prepaid,etc, but, we do not know their situation, either.This could be the last hope for them.Out of desperation, willing to try anything at this point.Maybe they lost their house? The van/truck may be all they have left to live in and make a living.Who knows? I am going to try and be better about this, not being so judge mental, and be more willing to help out where I can, even if I know they are just looking for a free handout.Share our blessings with others.

ramey · Jan 2, 2012

MissKat said:
It's a good thought. Pay it forward I think its called. A man came to Panther Orientation last week with $12 and a Quality lease to own truck. We befriended him so he could eat. And gave him a ride to get his truck fixed. It could be the guy sitting next to you these days, you never know.

wow i was all set to go and lease with panther until i read this are they not all they say they are i know freight don't pick up till march can you make a living with panther is this quality lease not good they make it sound good

chefdennis · Jan 2, 2012

ramey wrote:

wow i was all set to go and lease with panther until i read this are they not all they say they are i know freight don't pick up till march can you make a living with panther is this quality lease not good they make it sound good

I am not with Panther and never have been, but none of the comments on this thread are a reflection on Panther...all the comments are about Drivers or owner operators...they have nothing to do with Panther....

If you are referring to the number of people in the orientation class, that is a normal thing for most of the larger carriers...most have orientastion classes each week and add driver/ owner operators weekly....if this comes as a surprise to you, you may want to do a bit more research into this business...keep in mind that people get into this business thinking it is an easy way to make quick big money...most fail within a year....

idtrans · Jan 2, 2012

ramey said:
wow i was all set to go and lease with panther until i read this are they not all they say they are i know freight don't pick up till march can you make a living with panther is this quality lease not good they make it sound good

If you wanna make big money goto North Dakota craigslist and find a job mc'donalds pays $15 per hour in minot and driving a hot shot for Halliburton pays $25 per hour.

Thats my 2cents worth to anyone wanting to make the big $

Do not plan on getting rich expediting. You will make a living and do well as long as you are smart with money ! And don't go into wal marts and stick Machettes down your pants and walk around the store looking like a serial killer.

chefdennis · Jan 2, 2012

idtrans wrote:

Do not plan on getting rich expediting. You will make a living and do well as long as you are smart with money ! And don't go into wal marts and stick Machettes down your pants and walk around the store looking like a serial killer.

LOL, thats funny right there!!

MissKat · Jan 2, 2012

My commentary could have been any trucking company USA right now. I made observations regarding my recent class because it was obvious to me that very few if any had taken advantage of getting on this fabulous website to see what they should think about before coming down this path. It's not about Panther or any other outfit, its about asking questions. I was shocked guys came whose owners had not shown them any contracts, shown them a truck, or told them what would happen after orientation. Forewarned is forearmed. Thanks Dennis for helping me get the point across.

MissKat · Jan 2, 2012

Ramey, sent you a pm

pearlpro · Jan 3, 2012

Bad News for those fellas as Ive been in those shoes , I started out my professional truck driving career as a Driveway guy for Bennett, I took a grey hound to Louisville, and drove a straight truck chassis tripled up to Sacrement CA, then took the Train back, my first 3/4 trips I had the barest of money, I ate .99 CENT meals, drank water, and barely scratched by, I was lucky as Bennett had lots of work and I quickly got on my feet, but I agree having only 17 Bucks is going to be tuff for anyone unless Panther gives him some advances, or someone befreinds them, maybe thats the lesson we look out for Brother Truckers, Times are tuff for many folks at least hes trying to work and not surrendering to Unemployment or worse...I feel sorry for many today but trucking does have a shortage of drivers, no shortage of work.....