Learning From the Past and Planning the Future

[PreacherRich]

Well, just finishied off my first quarter in the expediting business. Learned a ton and am looking forward to what 2012 will bring. Sitting here going through my numbers and goal setting for 2012. Lots of questions, answer what you feel comfortable answering.

Are you happy with the way 2011 turned out?

What is the one thing (or 10 things) you will do different in 2012?

What was the most exciting/memorable thing that happened in 2011? (expediting related)

What was your worst expediting moment of the year?

Your outlook on 2012; positive or negative?

Will you be doing this 5 years from now?

If you could change 1 thing about this industry, what would it be?

Give one piece of advice to someone who is new or struggling in this business.

No bashing of anyones comments, please. I know that will be hard for many of you, however, I know you can do it!

Happy New Year to All!

 

[Jumbuck]

What a great post! Okay...here's my 2 cents! I am happy with 2011 because we discovered expediting! One thing different: Would NOT DH home as much. Most exciting thing: See the Mexican/Arizona border and getting drug sniffed. Worst moment: Thinking I had another whole day to deliver load so we went to a motel and slept the sleep of the innocent not knowing we were 12 hours late plus left phone in van (Stupid) and On-Dekk was trying desperatley to get a hold of us thinking we were murdered somewhere in Nogales, Aizonia, so they called the cops to hunt us down! Outlook for 2012? Cautiously Optomistic...(Politicians favorite answer). I sure hope we ARE doing this 5 years from now, but hopefully in a newer and bigger sprinter or straight with a sleeper. One thing to change: Better rates for all! One piece of advice: DO NOT mortgage your house to buy a truck or van! Drive for a fleet owner or single owner first! It's like tasting the milk before buying the cow!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL....(Especially US expediters!)

 

[PreacherRich]

Well, just finishied off my first quarter in the expediting business. Learned a ton and am looking forward to what 2012 will bring. Sitting here going through my numbers and goal setting for 2012. Lots of questions, answer what you feel comfortable answering.

Are you happy with the way 2011 turned out?

Yes, actually made a few bucks and paid the bills. Was a learning period for me and the wife

What is the one thing (or 10 things) you will do different in 2012?

Decrease deadhead, stay out longer, dedicated quality time at home

What was the most exciting/memorable thing that happened in 2011? (expediting related)

Having the wife deposit $3000 one week and having her then believe we can actually make a go of this.

What was your worst expediting moment of the year?

Realising how much I actually spent this year drving empty. Even though I knew starting out that I would have to sacrifice some $$$ to make momma happy

Your outlook on 2012; positive or negative?

Positve

Will you be doing this 5 years from now?

Yes, but will be fleet building for 2 years

If you could change 1 thing about this industry, what would it be?

Still deciding...

Give one piece of advice to someone who is new or struggling in this business.

Learn from others, research and pray

No bashing of anyones comments, please. I know that will be hard for many of you, however, I know you can do it!

Happy New Year to All!

Well... your turn

 

[ATeam]

Are you happy with the way 2011 turned out?

Yes

What is the one thing (or 10 things) you will do different in 2012?

Take more time off. Spend more time at our vacation house in Florida. Visit it more frequently.

What was the most exciting/memorable thing that happened in 2011? (expediting related)

Changing carriers from FedEx Custom Critical to Landstar.

What was your worst expediting moment of the year?

Reaching the conclusion that the FedEx opportunity is not what it once was and that a carrier change would be best.

Your outlook on 2012; positive or negative?

Neutral

Will you be doing this 5 years from now?

Probably, at least part-time

If you could change 1 thing about this industry, what would it be?

It's a false hope but I would reverse the instinct government officials have to regulate everything trucking.

Give one piece of advice to someone who is new or struggling in this business.

Be crystal clear about your goals. Decide exactly what it is you want to accomplish as an expediter and focus on that. Keep your goals in mind every minute of every day and let them guide the questions you ask, the attitude you maintain, the things you say, the words you listen to and every big and little decision you make.

Don't wake up asking, "What am I going to do today?" Wake up asking, what am I going to do today that will best move me toward my goals?

 

[DannyD]

Well, just finishied off my first quarter in the expediting business. Learned a ton and am looking forward to what 2012 will bring. Sitting here going through my numbers and goal setting for 2012. Lots of questions, answer what you feel comfortable answering.

Are you happy with the way 2011 turned out?

I'm extremely happy w/ Sept-Dec. Jan-Aug was rough.

What is the one thing (or 10 things) you will do different in 2012?

I'm happy w/ expediting at the moment. So this isn't meant as a complaint. I'm aware that this industry can turn on a dime. So it would probably be a good idea to diversify my income sources.

What was the most exciting/memorable thing that happened in 2011? (expediting related)

I moved to Royal Oak from Flint. That right there opened a whole new avenue of freight. I wish I'd moved a few years ago. I lived in Las Vegas & bought my house sight unseen from my folks. The person who had the land contract wasn't paying them. So I moved to Flint, MI from Las Vegas. I never liked that house from the get go.

What was your worst expediting moment of the year?

This is being said in a way that the "worst" thing really isn't that bad. Especially in relation to what some over the road drivers go thru. What comes to mind is a few times I've been to a delivery, then unload. Head home because there's nothing else. Then get a call to deliver from the very place I just left an hour ago. That is nothing compared to some of the bridge crossing experiences, waiting for days on end, not getting paid for months, etc that I had when I went over the road. I'm saying this in an appreciative way. Not like I'm thinking it's all that bad.

Your outlook on 2012; positive or negative?

Cautiously optimistic. I'm aware that things can turn-either good or bad- in this industry, at the drop of a hat. I'll need a van in 2012. Other than that, I'm certainly not going to buy anything based on projected earnings.

Will you be doing this 5 years from now?

I enjoy driving, so I'd like to do this in some capacity. Before I moved I had a lil side business that while I didn't make a lot of total $$, the $$ per hour was often north of $70. Sometimes even over $100/hour. I haven't brought that business down to Royal Oak w/ me. I'm not sure how I'm going to work it. I enjoy driving more, but that pays more, at least on a per hour basis. I may combine the two. I may just drive. I'm making enough expediting to be happy. I'm not sure if I'll be doing this in 5 years or not, but my guess would be yes.

If you could change 1 thing about this industry, what would it be?

I'm probably a little myopic in my own lil world here. At the moment things are going pretty well & I'm pretty happy so there's really not a lot I'd change.


Give one piece of advice to someone who is new or struggling in this business.

Realize that what's good for someone else might not be good for you. I know a bit ago I moved companies a few times. Then ya get a rep as a job jumper. Sometimes it takes a few kicks at the can to get it right. If ya can see something isn't working (no freight, no pay, just whatever) ya have to move on. Ya have to find that right fit. Some people will find that fit rather quickly, others will take a bit longer. There is no perfect company for everyone. I've met drivers at the loading docks that were griping about a very well respected company. I believe what they said. At the same time I also think the company is doing a terrific job for a lot of drivers. So in those cases it simply might not be a good fit.

Also, the business decisions that might be good for someone else might not be good for you. There's a guy on here who gets hotels. IMO that's a terrific decision. For other people it may be a waste of $$. Or for some a brand new van might be the way to go while others feel buying used is best. Is going home a lot a good or bad choice? That's up to the individual. It takes some time to get it figured out.

When I see advice to the newbies it's often "this is what you should do" type comments (if they're not saying check the archives). What might be best is to say something like "this is how I do it & these are the reasons why." Then the new person can see who's situation is maybe closest to his/hers.

There is no 1 piece of advice I could give to a new person & then promise em they'd be successful. I'd need more details about their particular situation.

I think the closest to a 100% piece of advice would be to have some $$ in reserve. Even then though, it can be done w/out it. I'm not suggesting someone start out that way if they can help it. It's certainly a lot easier if ya have the reserves. It can be done w/out em though.


No bashing of anyones comments, please. I know that will be hard for many of you, however, I know you can do it!

Happy New Year to All!

Happy New Year Back at ya. Great thread.

 

[greg334]

Well seeing there is a 10 letter limit I have to meet, here is my reply.

Are you happy with the way 2011 turned out?

Yep very happy.

What is the one thing (or 10 things) you will do different in 2012?

Try to get a better grip on spending money a bit better - especially around the holidays.

What was the most exciting/memorable thing that happened in 2011? (expediting related)

Getting that great load this year that paid for my dog's chemo.

What was your worst expediting moment of the year?

Losing my riding companions.

Your outlook on 2012; positive or negative?

Very positive but going to continue the practice of pessimism and discouragement.

Will you be doing this 5 years from now?

I hope not in a truck.

If you could change 1 thing about this industry, what would it be?

Yes making it a lot harder for people to get into it. Too many get into it and fail, putting too much at risk.

Give one piece of advice to someone who is new or struggling in this business.

Don't if you can but if you have gotten into this, then I would say - get it together and don't get emotional about things.

Happy New Year to All!

You too

 

[PreacherRich]

Give one piece of advice to someone who is new or struggling in this business.

Be crystal clear about your goals. Decide exactly what it is you want to accomplish as an expediter and focus on that. Keep your goals in mind every minute of every day and let them guide the questions you ask, the attitude you maintain, the things you say, the words you listen to and every big and little decision you make.

Don't wake up asking, "What am I going to do today?" Wake up asking, what am I going to do today that will best move me toward my goals?

Very good stuff!

 

[highway star]

Well, just finishied off my first quarter in the expediting business. Learned a ton and am looking forward to what 2012 will bring. Sitting here going through my numbers and goal setting for 2012. Lots of questions, answer what you feel comfortable answering.

Are you happy with the way 2011 turned out?

I'd say I am. Not giddy as a school girl happy, but it was O.K.


What is the one thing (or 10 things) you will do different in 2012?

I've been at this for a while, so I'll probably stick with the status quo. I always say I'm going to try to reduce deadhead, but Alpena isn't exactly in the middle of freight country.


What was the most exciting/memorable thing that happened in 2011? (expediting related)

Nothing that really knocked my socks off. I hadn't been to Vegas in a long time, so that was cool. Got out of there with some of Paul McCartney's stuff going to Chicago. I also had my longest run ever since I've been expediting, over 4300 miles.

What was your worst expediting moment of the year?

There wasn't one that was so bad it stands out. Just the usual little frustrations that I quickly forget about and move on.

Your outlook on 2012; positive or negative?

I'm not qualified to make a prediction, just hoping for the best.

Will you be doing this 5 years from now?

Yes, unless some unforeseen opportunity presents itself.

If you could change 1 thing about this industry, what would it be?

Hmmm... Don't know. It's a kind of an "it is what it is thing".

Give one piece of advice to someone who is new or struggling in this business.

Be responsible with your money and willing to work. Your truck doesn't generate much revenue sitting in your driveway. Your family is important, and so is providing for them.

No bashing of anyones comments, please. I know that will be hard for many of you, however, I know you can do it!

Happy New Year to All!

And a happy and prosperous new year to you.