I have spent the more than a year patiently doing my homework on the transportation industry before jumping in. By doing this I have allowed myself the time necessary to track the different aspects of the various niches in the industry over an extended period of time. I looked at going OTR in a class 8 TT. (flatbed, reefer, box, car hauler) First as a company driver, then as an O/O, finally as an independent with my own authority. I looked at local hauling. I've spent great amounts of time investigating the auto hauling and the expedited business. I've priced all the equipment needed in every niche, both new and used, at dealers and on ebay. I have weighed all the different pay scales in each niche. I have looked at national, regional, and local trends with regards to transportation and logistics. And I have tried to look at everything as objectively as possible, interviewing as many drivers and recruiters as possible. I have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly and it has been an interesting and exhaustive experience.
The choices that are available are almost unlimited and are certainly mind boggling. As a first timer, much of my decision came down to available capital, potential earnings, equipment needs, and of course some thought as to what would fit me personally with regards to my likes, dislikes, talents, and abilities.
Many here now know that I have decided to lease on with a hotshot company out of Texas. At this time it is the best fit for me when I take into consideration all of the factors above. I already owned an extremely nice `95 Ford F350 Powerstroke crew cab dually with a skirted flatbed. Best of all, my truck is paid for and I have no payments. I am leasing a 40' gooseneck trailer from a private individual with 1/2 of my payments going toward a reasonable purchase price. They are even letting me use it for two months free for doing some minor repairs to the trailer. Call it luck if you will, but I prefer to say that I was at the right place when opportunity came my way. I hope to pay cash for it before my first payment date arrives. And even though I will be puting aside enough money to maintain my equipment and have a reserve for purchasing newer equipment when mine finally wears-out, I will be in a position to ride the up turns as well as the down turns because, if necessary, I do not have to make a truck payment.
Sure, I had plenty of people try to discourage me along the way, and who tried to get me to jump into new equipment, but I was not easily swayed because I did my homework and have a business plan. I am not so rigid in my thinking as to not be flexible when I needed to be, but I have stayed on course with what I know to be the right decision for me.
After putting out some feelers in the hotshot arena, I had a hotshot company call wanting me to come aboard and lease on with them. I asked a ton of questions and I hit it off with the co-owner. I know how and where they are getting their loads and I believe they are a good company. I will be starting in early January under contract for $1.40 per loaded mile plus fuel surcharges, which vary but are currently around 20 cents a mile. I will get $50 per extra stop, and they have told me that they usually can get backhauls without alot of deadheading. Best of all, they will keep me very busy.
Now, I say all this not to brag, but to show any newbies the processes that I went through in making my decision, and the results of my efforts. I would encourage anyone new to the business to be patient and thourough before making their final decision. Expediting is a great opportunity, and there are many options available within expediting. Just make sure you have your ducks in a row. If you do, your chances at success in expediting will be much higher than if you jumped at the first thing that sounded good. Not all things that sound good, are. But if you have done due dilligence, when opportunity crosses your path you'll know it.
