Joining the Expediting Industry....

hptptrucking · Aug 19, 2007

Hello Everyone,
Mainly wanted to introduce ourselves and get a little advice from the experienced veterans of expediting. Husband has been driving for 13+ yrs and I just got my CDL's 4 weeks ago. We have been curious about the expediting industry for a long time and finally decided to join it. We go to orientation this week with Panther in Ohio. We are going to start out driving for a fleet owner as a team to see how it goes before we consider buying our own truck. Wanted to ask a few questions and hope to get some good answers and info that will be helpful to us down the road.
We decided to go with the 40/60 split with the owner buying the fuel and paying tolls. Would like to have some input whether that is better that 60/40 split and us buying the fuel? Wouldn't it really wash out about the same in the end?
Also owner is going to be paying us through Tab Banking with Flying J. Has anyone ever used that method before and did it work well for you?

I have been reading alot of info on the forums the last few days and have really enjoyed reading some of your post. All of it has been very informative and some even entertaining.

I just hope we picked the right company in Panther.
Any advice about the company that we should know would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully someday we will meet some of you on the road

God Bless and Be Safe!!!

Teresa & Harvey AKA
Lady Tee & Big Pappa

davekc · Aug 19, 2007

Welcome to EO
You are correct in that a 60/40 or 40/60 is about the same. Until you figure in the FSC. If you take a 60/40 with 100 percent of the FSC, you will come out farther ahead. There are some good posts in the archives on this. Most have shown roughly a $1500 difference per month depending on several factors (miles, rates, truck type). Just depends on what you think the owner paying fuel is worth. Personally, I would rather bank the money myself. Even more so with a generator and the fuel discounts available. Panther is a good fit for us, so I hope you do well. Since being new, hopefully you have a owner that can kinda mentor you along until you get a good feel for what is going on.

Here is a recent thread you can check out. I would review the whole thing for different opinions and info.
http://www.expeditersonline.com/cgi...az=show_thread&om=2354&forum=DCForumID2&omm=0

Good luck on your new adventure

Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

Wingnut · Aug 19, 2007

Welcome to the expediting world! I pay several of my drivers VIA flying j tab card and it works out well. The only downfall that we've experienced is that it can sometimes take 2 or more hours for the money to actually hit the card. Other than that, it works great. Good luck.

hptptrucking · Aug 19, 2007

Thank you Wingnut for that info on the Tab Banking. We were really worried about that situtation. You know how it can be when you mess with someones money. LOL.....

Thank you again.

Teresa & Harvey AKA
Lady Tee & Big Pappa

Moot · Aug 19, 2007

Greetings hp and tp. welcome to E.O.

If you are serious about buying a truck in the future, then I think the 60/40 split should be considered. By paying for the fuel, you will be better prepared to become Owner/Operators. Also keep track of all expenses as if the truck was yours. You will have some real life numbers to work with when deciding to purchase your own truck.

davekc · Aug 19, 2007

Good point Moot on the 60/40. Forgot to mention earlier, TAB account seems to work pretty well for us as well.

Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

hptptrucking · Aug 20, 2007

Thanks davekc and moot for the info. We leave out in the morning from our home in NC to travel to Ohio for the orientation with Panther. We are excited and you can bet after reading post on this site and taking lots of notes, I have my questions to ask in orientation and I might be their worst nightmare... LOL... Just kidding... I just want to make sure we understand everything before we head out there own our own and be lost.
Like I said before any advice that anyone can offer would be appreciated. This is the greatest site. I have truly enjoyed reading the post here and have learned a little bit also.

Hope you meet you guys someday.

Teresa & Harvey AKA
Lady Tee & Big Pappa

Broompilot · Aug 20, 2007

I think the world of the TAB ACCOUNT at Flying J. Its is truthfully the best thing they have going. Pays a high amount of intrest for a savings/checking/using account. You know your only hours away at any time for a cash advance, discount on fuel, excellent record keeping.

You can also order checks and use it as a check book for what ever you want. Either way as others stated its one dime a half a dozen for 40-60 or 60-40. Just keep accurate records so when or if you do buy your own truck you can have a business plan in order.

Remember BUSINESS PLAN not budget. You can probably begin putting one together after three months of running and finish it in less than a year to have a solid idea of how this Expediting Gig Works.

Good luck, stay out long enough and find yourself that Majic Box.

easyrider2697 · Aug 20, 2007

>Welcome to the expediting world! I pay several of my
>drivers VIA flying j tab card and it works out well. The
>only downfall that we've experienced is that it can
>sometimes take 2 or more hours for the money to actually hit
>the card. Other than that, it works great. Good luck.

wing, if possible, try and do internal transfers via the internet or by phone and the are immediate, com-check and other deposits may take some time, according to how busy the system is..

louixo · Aug 22, 2007

You didnÂ´t mention what size unit you will be driving for Panther. Anyway, donÂ´t worry, just jump in there give it some time, and when you feel comfortable make your move to O&O.

Wingnut · Aug 22, 2007

Thanks easyrider! We do usually try to do just that but it's so hard to get a "live" person on the phone nowadays.

hptptrucking · Aug 23, 2007

Hey Everyone,
We just finished our 2nd day with Panther orientation. Orientation is going great as far as class goes, to much to remember for newbies to the business but we both are pretty smart (sometimes we suffer old age syndrome LOL) so I think we will be ok eventually. But I have to tell you about the day before orientation when we got there at Panther to pick our truck up in order to go to the truck stop for the night. When we opened the door on that truck it was so dang filthy is was terrible. For us we couldn't believe an owner would leave a truck in that condition for us (new drivers). I tried to stay positive because I was about to lose control (I can get a little hot headed sometimes very quickly). We got a one way rental to Akron Ohio and had the car rental place take us to Panther so our only ride was the truck. We got in the truck and went to the truck stop. It had very little FUEL in it, was 2 gallons low on oil, the inside was dirty and it stunk. I called the owner and ask when the last time he seen his truck and he said 2 months or so. Without going into much about the conversation. I cleaned up the truck so that it was liveable for us and he reimbursed us for oil and got us a little fuel. I am not sure how this fleet owner is going to do with us and the mechanical issues that may come about with this truck since he don't know what has been going on with it for the last few months. We are very clean people when it comes to our living/work area, we are here to make money for us and who we drive for and we are good honest people so I am just going to pray about this one. You know first impressions are lasting they say and right now we don't have a good impression. It is a sad situation.
Anyone that has any suggestions please advise.
We told the orientation guy and he said we have to give the owner at least 30 days before we can look for another owner to drive for. Is that true?

Teresa & Harvey AKA
Lady Tee & Big Pappa

LDB · Aug 23, 2007

For the benefit of anyone else reading this, although it's too late for you this time, the moment you see that go get your recruiter and show them the filth. Take digital photos if you have the camera to do it. I know their policy is 30 days but if it's truly that filthy and in poor condition I'd think an exception should be made. At the very least they'll know about it and hopefully make note of it regarding that owner.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

x06col · Aug 23, 2007

Probably just another example of waiting till the last minute to save a buck starting a new career.

Maybe, you'd been better off starting earlier, so you could look longer.

As sad as it is, you have to understand, that not everyone plays fair. Seem like you may have found one of em.

davekc · Aug 23, 2007

That is just total foolishness. In this case, I totally blame the owner of the truck. If he had it dropped at Panther, he should have a recruiter review and as Leo mentioned, take pictures.
That owner should pay whatever the rate is, and have that truck detailed at the dealer while you are at orientation. Additionally, he should put you in a hotel and absorb the cost. It is these total idiots that give the decent owners a bad rap.
Maybe not popular, but if I was a driver, I could care less about thirty days of anything from a recruiter. ##### would freeze over before I would sleep in someone elses mess. Simple as that.
I don't see my trucks that often either, but I usually know what is going on. At a bear minumum, have the driver take a photo with the phone periodicly just so you know. They may (more than likely) clean it up PRIOR to a photo......but so what? At least you still know within a time frame of what your equipment looks like.
And.........put alittle fuel in? Whats up with that?

Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

Tennesseahawk · Aug 23, 2007

Another owner not on top of his game. Does the word slumlord fit here? He can swear up and down it was the former driver's fault. But who put that body in the truck? And did he care enough to do a periodic check himself? And didn't he start wondering when either there were no reciepts for either PMs or gallons of oil? Did he care? Doesn't sound like it.

As far as Panther telling you that you have to stay with the owner 30 days... um not unless they plan on paying your ssi. I'm guessing he's counting on your being naive and just following orders. Glad you came here, cause we'll give you the real scoop!

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!

davekc · Aug 23, 2007

Hawk brings up a good point on the maintenance. Owner should have had some clue. As for blaming the former driver(s), I wouldn't care if the Pope was the former driver. If it is filthy, that needs to be addressed. No excuses for that kind of crap.
If their attention to the eqiupment is that poor, why would one think that something would be different in their dealings with the driver?
A thought to ponder

Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

Tennesseahawk · Aug 23, 2007

Here's an idea for knowing the true salt of this owner...

Tell him you're charging $100 to clean the truck. He's getting a bargain compared to having it detailed. His answer should give you a good idea of how fair this guy is. Don't be afraid to find someone else to drive for, if you need to.

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!

davekc · Aug 23, 2007

I should show the other side of the coin. If a driver(s) did quit for whatever reason, and then left the truck a mess. Well, I send it out to a third party and whatever they charge gets deducted from that drivers escrow. Same issue, I don't clean up after anyone, so I don't expect someone else to.
A third party is the best way to handle this so there isn't a unnecessary personal conflict.

Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator