Intro

[DaWhale]

Thanks for the great site and posts. I've followed the suggestions and have read a couple of years or more back. The time was well spent.

I've had the pleasure of meeting LDB in person. My wife and I wanted to have more perspective on the lifestyle since there's no way we can comprehend the change. Leo told us to move into our master closet and shut the door for a month and we'd have a pretty good idea. We actually went in the closet and shut the door. We didn't make it a month though. Thanks for the time Leo, your were thoughtful and gracious.

We've joined OOIDA, have a trial subscription for TIA, and have Transport Topics bookmarked. Several links to different trucking websites.

I've registered for the expo but don't know if I'll make it yet due to a last minute family reunion that weekend. My wife will probably attend the reunion, I've applied for dispensation. Hopefully will be meeting some of you there.

I've still got a lot of kid in me, always wanted to drive one of the big trucks, so the "E" units are intriguing, particularly pulling a double drop w/ an extendable well. The commitment for the experience certainly seems daunting though.

We're trying to make sure we know how deep the water is before we jump in. Any suggestions for increasing our fund of knowledge would be appreciated.

 

[ATeam]

We're trying to make sure we know how deep the water is before we jump in. Any suggestions for increasing our fund of knowledge would be appreciated.

Allow me to offer my blog for your reading pleasure and expedite education. A number of expediter wannabees read this blog daily. They have let me know that they appreciate hearing about the bad days (like how Diane and I spent New Year's Day, 2010)http://www.successfulexpediters.com/madsen/madsen_blog_201001.htm, as well as the good (like the day we recently spent on a Pacific Ocean beach), and about little life-on-the-road details that are mentioned from time to time.

If you have not already read it, see also: Introduction to Expediting

 

[ebsprintin]

Sounds like you are taking the right approach. Welcome.

eb

 

[greg334]

Allow me to offer a bit of advice.

If the E unit is intriguing, go for it. I CAN NOT stress this part enough, the price of tractors is really cheap and for less than $30k you can get into a really good one.

If you have a CDL, class A, you are two steps ahead already but if you don't I strongly suggest getting one so you not just have an out in this niche market but also a bit more versatile for your future.

Leo's advice is great ...

 

[LDB]

I enjoyed our visit and look forward to visiting with you guys again. I should have mentioned that the door doesn't have to be closed. That's optional. And it was a week not a month. Good luck and hope to see you at the expo. Good luck with that too.

 

[Lawrence]

Welcome to EO! I would have to agree with the others - the Expedite Expo is an event you can't afford to miss this year and at the stage you are at.

 

[Jefferson3000]

Welcome to EO!

 

[nightcreacher]

Welcome to EO,but a class A cdl and no experience will not be worth much.If your wanting to drive a tractor,you and your wife need to find one of the truck load carriers that will give you some experience,and then look into the expedite business.The most lucrative part of expedite is in a tractor trailer.In a tractor trailer,you can haul anything the company needs you to haul,straight trucks are limited.If you want to get into over sized loads,that won't happen till you have couple years experience with flat bed freight.Good luck to you

 

[BillChaffey]

With no offence meant to anyone, having a class A or B license doesn't mean much with out experience behind the wheel. I have held a B with air brakes, & tanker endorsement since 1969. But when I talk to Tractor or Straight truck drivers. It's Steer tires, drive tires, harmonic balancers?, what size engine, what type of transmission, rear end ratio, maintenence. There is a ton of things you need to know & know well if your going into debt for a large truck. Plus you sure need to know how to secure a load. Tractor or Straight. This is of course only my opinion.

 

[DaWhale]

Welcome to EO,but a class A cdl and no experience will not be worth much.If your wanting to drive a tractor,you and your wife need to find one of the truck load carriers that will give you some experience,and then look into the expedite business.The most lucrative part of expedite is in a tractor trailer.In a tractor trailer,you can haul anything the company needs you to haul,straight trucks are limited.If you want to get into over sized loads,that won't happen till you have couple years experience with flat bed freight.Good luck to you

The tough part is paying your dues. Starting from the beginning is hard but if we can keep our eyes on the prize and stay focused... I don't know much about the the revenue, utilization or fixed and operating costs of any of the truck types, but that will be an important part of the process as we go forward. I have read your post on how you deceide about whether to accept a load or calculate a freight rate. Quick, clean and easy.

Allow me to offer my blog for your reading pleasure and expedite education. A number of expediter wannabees read this blog daily. They have let me know that they appreciate hearing about the bad days (like how Diane and I spent New Year's Day, 2010), as well as the good (like the day we recently spent on a Pacific Ocean beach), and about little life-on-the-road details that are mentioned from time to time.

If you have not already read it, see also: Introduction to Expediting

I'm about 1/4 way through your blog and have read through your Introduction to Expediting. I'm impressed with the amount of research that went into the purchase of your truck. Not just the truck, but the market for the package. As impressed with the discipline to pay off a quarter of a million dollars worth of vehicle in a couple of years. It's a business first and foremost. Risk versus reward for our team is the primary consideration.

Allow me to offer a bit of advice.

If the E unit is intriguing, go for it. I CAN NOT stress this part enough, the price of tractors is really cheap and for less than $30k you can get into a really good one.

If you have a CDL, class A, you are two steps ahead already but if you don't I strongly suggest getting one so you not just have an out in this niche market but also a bit more versatile for your future.

No CDL, had one, but let it lapse several years ago. Had experience in oil field hot shot and pipeline construction w/ a big truck, float, lowboy and winch truck. Always enjoyed it, but the lifestyle w/ kids at home wasn't working, so changed careers. Probably won't do one of the company driving schools, local community college has a relationship w/ a couple of the truck load carriers, so we're studying that opportunity.

 

[ATeam]

I agree with the others who say the revenue potential of a big-rig is greater than that of a straight truck but note the word "potential." I have met numerous ER-unit drivers who say they could gross over $300,000 a year if they chose to and I believe them. But I have yet to meet one that has actually done so.

It seems that it is hard work driving a big-rig and when the money flows well these drivers give in to the desire to go home and take a much needed break from the road. If Diane and I drove a big-rig, we would probably go home a lot more than we do now. If you cannot easily find places where you can truly rest and relax while you are out here, you will tend to go home to do it.

 

[nightcreacher]

Phil,I haven't met that $300000 a year guy either,but I will say,you can do $250000 in a non reefer E unit,just depends how much you want to go home, and stay there.One has to know,it does take about 20000 bucks a year to maintain that trailer,upkeep,depreciation,interest on your note,and after that 1st 5 years,more on the profit side,but also more up keep.
My usual year was about 40 weeks,and 225000 bucks.Hard to keep a co driver from staying on the road,not like running with your spouce