I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHING..

prescat

Expert Expediter
almost "addictive" about this expediting business? In less than 2 weeks, I will be rejoining all my expediting friends, (and other truckers), on the road in a D Unit. For me, it's been almost 5 years since my 2 year expediting career. The funny thing is, that even though I've been totally removed from Expediting the entire time, I always found myself logging on to EO and looking longingly at expedite units. (My life must be sad..lol). Yes, I know this business, like every other, has its ups and downs, (and isn't always like those trucking school tv ads where the couple is neat and clean, sipping coffee, in great weather, against the background of the Rockies.... They never show them broken down at a truckstop in Gary), but I missed the freedom, the independence, the potential, and probably mostly the CAMARADARIE of this small relatively unknown group of transporters. It's the reason why people with legit questions will have them happily answered answered here by the nicest, most knowledgeable people in expediting, and why when you have a problem on the road, another Expediter, (even contracted to another company) will usually stop and help. Thanks to the Roberts Express couple in the early 90s that answered all my stupid questions when I was fascinated by the straight truck with the huge sleeper I saw them in. Have a great weekend and I'll see y'all on the road again shortly!:)
 

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Prescat, welcome back. You may get typed to from some of the most knowledgeable, but, not necessarily the nicest. But, info, is info, after all. I would doubt if there is something wrong withyou.
 

prescat

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Colonel, Pelicn, thanks for the welcome back and the kind words. I intend on going to some of the EO events after I get rolling again and, hopefully, I'll be able to buy you guys a round of coffee!
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Welcome back! We also tried to get away from trucking and only lasted about 9 month. It is amazing how this gets into your blood and you are always wanting to go somewhere. An then as greed goes you want to get paid to do it!! What a great way to live and we love it. We made the mistake once of getting off the road and god willing we wont make that mistake again.
 

dhalltoyo

Veteran Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Ditto,

I was out for 9 months too!!!

Just took my first load today.

Welcome back.

:) In fact, welcome back to all of us! :)
 

Falligator

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

I've only been in expediting for about a year and a half and couldn't imagine going back to a shop to work. Who want's a boss staring at you while you sweat your butt off telling you that your work still isn't good enough.----at least dispatchers are only on the phone! lol I like the freedom of having to travel to a different location (almost) every day.....the hardest part of the job is sitting at the truck stop.


ShawnF
11997
 

slfisher45

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Falligator, You'd be surprised how many bosses are out here that wouldn't go back to a shop to look over some guy's sweaty ???? trying to figure out how it got sweaty because he hasn't done anything and never does unless there's someone there to prod him.
 

Dreamer

Administrator Emeritus
Charter Member
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Welcome back prescat! Glad to see you back around, jump right in!


Dreamer
Forums Administrator


"Ability can take you to the top, but it takes Character to keep you there."

- Zig Ziglar

 

dhalltoyo

Veteran Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Prescat,

I agree that waiting at the truck stop is one of the hardest things to do.

For me, I developed a hobby; something I really like to do.

When I stop I get out of the truck immediately and go inside. I set up my hobby and begin doing something enjoyable.

It really helps me to pass the the time away quickly.

I have seen guys working on models, racing RC cars, collecting stamps, woodworking, leather crafting, writing, etc.
 

prescat

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Thanks Dreamer, it's good to be back!

Reverend Hall,

That's for the good advice! I have to admit that my major downfall in expediting is that I might be the worst "waiter" ever. Before expediting, I did some household, and mostly linehaul stuff in the Northeast, ( I do better in traffic and waiting to pay tolls than waiting for a load..lol) so from the psychological standpoint. I was used to more of a schedule. (I think I was both a dispatcher's nightmare and dream). I don't turn down loads because I like to stay moving, but I call dispatch once an hour to find out about loads, why I'm not moving, making money, etc.. For me it has always been WHERE I'm waiting also. I love anywhere in the South and Texas, (the people are generally nicer, the food is better and the girls are prettier:)), and since I travel with my 2 dogs, there are more hiking options for us with better trails, streams and climbs. Reading is great and sometimes, just having a long breakfast and "bs-ing" with other drivers at 2AM in a Flying J makes the time pass better. 12 days to showtime!
 

MissouriNewbie

Seasoned Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Welcome back prescat I am new to the industry my self and been having a great learning experience. I too belive that sitting at the truck stop is the hardest thing to do. Good thing im going back to college online.
 

dhalltoyo

Veteran Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Amen!

I am a huge supporter of Distance Learning!

Personally, I believe the campus atmosphere is a deterrent to the process of learning.

Additionally, I can forego the visuals of seeing my tuition dollars supporting those :( organizations and clubs :( that are in direct opposition to my beliefs, values and morals.

Keep up the good work Missouri Newbie!

If I can ever be of any assistance to you and prescat, please do not hesitate to contact me.
 

prescat

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

That's a great idea MissouriNewbie! That a great way to use your down-time contructively.
 

MissouriNewbie

Seasoned Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Well its really good to keep myself busy as my wife who is 24 neerly 25 as she works I will have somthing to do while out on the road and being 22 it gets really boring out there on the road I been going on the road all of my life so I fugure its a good way to become a computer programmer/ Expeditor lol I am fixing to lease my D Unit on with Bolt Express Have been with Jung Express out of Millwaukee and had a horrid experience. But I will continue to read E/O every day. and if a Question arrises I will not hesitate to ask.
 

are12

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Just wanted to say Welcome Back! :+ :+

If you ever see our truck at one of the J's, come looking for us, we love to sit and BS. (You will know our truck by the saying on the back doors, it's in our signature line)
 

RichM

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Welcome back PreScat, It's hard to get this lifestyle out of your system.
 

prescat

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Yes it is Rich. A lot of the garbage that we put up with is still worth it. I used to get a rush when the QC went off, wondering where I was going, the rate, times. How cool is it that you could be in Delaware having lunch, and then 2 days later your in Phoenix eating dinner and you don't even sweat the trip planning like you would if it was a road trip with the family?
Arlene and Jim, I'm sure I will run into you guys and now I know your slogan:) I used to run into other friends all the time. By the way, those are two great looking dogs, I guess since your with Elite they don't travel with you. My two dogs, "Cajun Gypsy" and "Chewy" are ready again, they miss the road. I do have to make arrangements for Gypsy now. She's a German Shepard and recently turned 13 and although she is in great shape, I bought a step stool to help her get back in the truck
 

are12

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

Thanks for the compliment on our dogs. Shadow and Shiloh are our pride and joy but we do not think they would be happy on the truck. Shadow needs room to run and jump for the frisbee and Shiloh has bad hips so the vet wants her to do very little climbing.

Believe it or not, it does not matter if you have a dog in the truck when you are with Elite. It just means, when someone goes to inspect your truck, you have to take the animals out. I think in some cases, on some bases, one driver might have to remain outside with the dogs while another goes in to do the loading. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will let you know.
 

prescat

Expert Expediter
RE: I'M COMING BACK! IS IT ME. OR IS THERE SOMETHI

I actually can answer that. Some plants do not let dogs in. It happened to me twice. Once I knew about it in advance, and I dropped by team member off with the dogs in advance, the second time, (a chemical plant I think in Illinois), there was a sign at the gate. Luckily the lady that was a security guard, was a dog lover and said as long as my dogs remained with the curtains drawn in the sleeper, I was golden. With that said, there are some company policies against them, (Fed Ex White Glove comes to mind).
 
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