LIMITED EXPERIENCE NEED ADVICE

msblackfoot · Aug 10, 2005

I'm fairly new to this site but want to get into the expediting game. I am a fairly new driver. CDL class A w/ Hazmat, tanker endorsements. Had my license since March, driving 53' semi's OTR since then. Don't like it, too intimidating, BIG 'OL TRUCKS. Problem I'm having is my 4 months experience, not enough. Everyone wants 1 year because of insurance. I'm told that I might be able to get on with a fleet owner. Can anyone recommend a company that could put me on with someone who is honest and pays ontime and takes care of the equipment and who can get me on their truck insurance? :7

Pappy · Aug 10, 2005

Come on Girl. You went to all the trouble to get that BIG license,You got 4 months under your belt and bless your heart---I think you just said "I anit got 8 months left in me". Go ahead and get your 1 year experience. The more of it you have--the easier it is to get a good job. GOOD LUCK

Pappy
34 years tractor/trailer

LDB · Aug 10, 2005

I think you'll find 6 months to be a magic number as well. Everyone will ask for 1 year but many will accept 6 months. The best thing to do is talk to the recruiters for the companies you are interested in and see what they tell you. Good luck to you.

Leo
truck 4958
73's K5LDB

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

msblackfoot · Aug 11, 2005

I appreciate the encouragement, I'm still working on trying to get on with an expediting company. I'm not giving up, I worked hard to get my CDL and I refuse to go back to a factory, so I'll make it work.

dukesadog · Aug 12, 2005

I don't know what part of the country you live in but if you live near a major port you might want to try pulling containers (overseas cans) Imports to this country from abroad are supposed to quadruple over the next 2 years and Asian company Mansuoi just signed a 300 million dollar contract with the Blount Island terminal in Jacksonville Fl. bringing in 20 thousand containers through there a month and they need drivers/owner/ops bad.

Unlike expediting you dont need a truck thats fairly new and most of your runs are 3-500 miles a day. We bought a really nice low mile 1980 Ford 9000 cabover for 5 grand and it runs dedicated home depot runs 4 days a week, 2 round trips to savannah ga per day and grosses 2300.00 per the 4 days and we are home everyday...Containers used to get a bad rap for being over weight but...thats not the case anymore.

Just a thought
Dukesadog
25 yrs driving.

msblackfoot · Aug 13, 2005

That sounds interesting, I live in Ohio which is a good corridor for freight. I just signed with a Fleet owner with Panther II. She has 1 cargo van and I'm going to be taking over it for her so she can tend some family problems. I just need to start implementing a business plan because to me it is my own business. I need to learn how to get the most out of what I am going to be doing to make the maximum profit that I can. Any tips or tricks from other cargo van expeditors?

Steph
newbie to trucking
and expediting

ATeam · Aug 13, 2005

My wife and I got into expediting with NO prior truck driving experience whatsoever. A fleet owner took us on and ushered us through the carrier sign-up process. Insurance was not an issue, just part of the sign-up process. There is nothing magic about a year of experience. With the difficulty expediting fleet owners have finding GOOD drivers, you will be eagerly considered by many, if you have a GOOD record and can show good numbers.

Check out the "Drivers Wanted" section of the Free Classifieds section. The Free Classifieds link is on the top of this web page. You are a solo driver (is that correct?) so your situation will be different. Contact fleet owners and ask them your questions. You might also consider teaming with another driver in a fleet owner's truck - though that injects co-driver relationship issues into the mix. Fleet owners that take an interest in you might be able to help you find a co-driver.

davekc · Aug 13, 2005

Ateam wrote
There is nothing magic about a year of experience. With the difficulty expediting fleet owners have finding GOOD drivers, you will be eagerly considered by many, if you have a GOOD record and can show good numbers.

As there are less fleet owners today, many are starting to tighten their entry level opportunities. This theme was the strongest I have seen it at this years expo.
Many owners can no longer afford to have new folks damage their trucks and then absorb that cost.
Novices damaging tag axles and tearing the roof off of freight boxes can be expensive.

Davekc
owner
21 years

ATeam · Aug 14, 2005

msblackfoot,

If you decide to further pursue expedting and wish to talk to fleet owners, feel free to contact me privately (use e-mail feature in this forum). I regularly speak with fleet owners and they to their friends. Most are with FedEx but some are with other carriers too.

While what DaveKC says about fleet owners declining in number and tightening up entry level opportunities may be true, don't get discouraged. There are still a number of folks out there that would be pleased to visit with you, if you have a good record. Word travels fast among friends when a good driver is in the wind.

RichM · Aug 18, 2005

Unfortunately many fleet owners get burned by hiring drivers who have very little or no road experience.. I know of several owners that are making the drivers responsible for the insurance deductible if damage is done to the truck that is considered preventable.

I have also heard about incidents where brand new drivers are not aware of tthe turning radius required on 40 foot long trucks,turn too tightly and run the rear wheels into curbs ,obstructions etc.

Roof damage is also a common occurrence with inexperienced drivers. They are not accustomed to low clearances and fail to check for adequate clearance. We all have to crawl before we walk but if I am paying you to walk, you should be able to do it safely. If you can run for a while with an experienced driver and you don't have an ego problem and will ask for advice you can advance rapidly.. Good luck.

davekc · Aug 18, 2005

Rich is correct,
Of course research is everything, and I am in the process of doing a 4000 page essay on the correct proceedures for correct turning and proper identification of low bridges and how to respond accordingly.
I probably should include a business plan that accounts for deductions to reimburse an owner that has covered that cost.
OK, maybe 5000 pages.

Davekc

Tennesseahawk · Aug 18, 2005

BWAAAAAHEHEHEHE BWAAAAAHEHEHEHEHE!!!!!! :7 :7 :7 :7 :7

Geez... I think I soiled myself!!! :+ :+ :+ :+ :+

Broompilot · Aug 19, 2005

You already have four months behind you. Stay put until your 12 is up. Options my friend options. The more you have the correct decisions will be open to you in the future. If you change now (even you do not like what your doing) it will be all for nothing.

What if a local LTL like ABF or Holland was recruiting in your area for driving Pups. If you do not have at least one year the option is gone. Always consider the distant future with the present.

I envy those with a class A and expierence (OPTIONS)

highway star · Aug 21, 2005

I would never consider an unexperienced driver. When I was driving big trucks, my boss asked me to train a new guy. I showed him the basics and spent 5 hours with him driving to our warehouse and switching trailers and he was doing reasonably well. There were 3 switches left to do and I left those for him while I left for my run. I watched in my mirror as he turned too quick and ripped the door off a trailer on a telephone pole. He had just made this same turn numerous times! I went back, he got out of the truck and left without saying a word and never returned. A lot of people take to this like a fish to water, but it's like Forrest Gumps box of chocolates: You never know what you're gonna get.

msblackfoot · Aug 22, 2005

Well I signed with the owner of an expediting van with Panther II, started on the 18th, ran 1400 miles from 18th to 21st. I like it alot better than driving the big truck. If I need to go somewhere on my own time I can without worrying about where to park etc. The one problem I'm having is enough cash to get me thru on the road. Everything I make from my runs, I have to put back into the gas tank. It sucks starting out in the hole. I already had overdue bills at the house, now I'm not even able to send money home to cover them because everything goes to the van to keep going. Any tips?

LDB · Aug 22, 2005

I'll put on my asbestos shorts and throw this out, not just at you but in general since I don't know you personally. The first and most important thing to do for the majority of people in driving is quit smoking. While about 20% of the general public smokes it is about the opposite with maybe 20% of drivers not smoking. That would be a couple hundred extra dollars a month for a lot of people. I never had the illness myself but both my parents quit cold turkey so I've seen it done and know it can be done. It's especially tough making ends meet the first 3 weeks until the remainder of your pay starts coming in. Things should look up after that. Good luck to you.

Leo
truck 4958
73's K5LDB

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.