Looking to become a Expediter

[Smokediver511]

Ok Guys/Gals

New here, But been reading these Postings for a good long while, Guess im just going to need to dig in and find out the truth in all this. I think it all really boils down to how bad you wanna and how focused on your goal. I know there is bad with good and good with bad but to take the advice of one, you need to really understand there way of thinking. I see bad points and good points and there for i think by just digging in and finding out for my self i will then find truth to what i have learned. Now for that said, anyone got good positive advice for this new guy and gal, please pass it along. I wondering which one of you will be first to speak out! Have a safe one out there...

 

[x06col]

I don't think there are any truths, or, lies typed on here. All typing you see on here depends on the typers background and socialization, and their experiences in this business that they can relate to. I have bee entertaing myself on here for several years, and, have realy read some doozies. Expediting "is what it is" and what you choose to make of it.

 

[tbc27143]

I am new here also and have been considering the expediter business. I hauled rv's, boats, horse trailers, LTL freight and had to shutdown a couple of months ago to take care of some medical issues and to rethink what I am doing. I am retired from the Army and from a aerospace company. I started my business to give me something to do and make a little money for the future.

The first two years were tough because of maintenance issues with a truck I bought used that had to have some repairs to both differentials and the transfer case as well as the normal stuff. The drive train should have never been an issue with 100K on the truck. I believe the previous owner abused it. Anyway those things contributed to my not making the money that was possible to make if I had not had to spend it on the repairs. I worked about 10 months of the year and would have still made money at the business.

I am trying to avoid working for someone else and want to be able to control my schedule and work when I want. I am exploring the options and not sure what I want to do yet. Expediting may offer what I want but that remains to be seen at this point.

 

[Smokediver511]

UMMMM Think that is what i said? Besides was asking for Tips and what ever came along that some of you guys might wish to pass along to us new guys!

 

[FAMILYEXPDT]

Hmmmmm...Advice


Do you own your own truck or are you driving for someone else?

If you choose to jump headfirst before learning the business, and getting your own truck...make certain your payments are what you can afford if your truck sits.


How much do you need to make a month? How much do you need to make a week? Make certain that your expectations of earnings do not exceed reality, even in slow times.


How important is home time? What are your expectations?



Need a lot more info before we can even give meaningful advice.



-Charlotte

 

[x06col]

Tips? Interestingly, what may be revelations for some, are common knowledge for others.:+ :+

Income? Interestingly, what may be starvation and insult for a socialites kin, may be a fortune to a sharecroppers kin.:+ :+

Like was suggested we need a basis for handing out "tips".

 

[Smokediver511]

Nope,

This one is not gonna jump in head first with a new truck. Maybe after i get all the facts and details of this new adventure and the in's and outs all figured out, I will Invest more into it. But for now its gonna be us driving for them. I think for me anyway this is the best option to learn what is going to take become not just good but great at it. Oh yeah, i have read lots of your Post's on here...Good Job and Kudos on your success

 

[terryandrene]

Smokediver511:

There is a wealth of information in the Newbies FAQ forum now and info in the archives that you could research. You could start your education by going to the www.ooida.com home page, clicking on the topics in the "Swimming with Sharks" column. Lot's of questios to ask a prospective carrier, Owner, or EO forum member.

The next step would be to schedule a trip to the Expedite Expo in Wilmington, OH at the end of next month (see the EO home page for details). At the Expo you can attend free workshops that discuss the ways and means of getting into expediting.

As you have read in this thread thus far, we don't have a clue what you need to know to get to where you want to be and how you'd like to get there. Are you a CDL holder now? Do you plan to drive team or solo? In a van, straight truck or tracter? Own your own or drive for an O/O? Are you a starving youngster wanting to start out in life, an oltimer who's retired with a trunk full of money, or somewhere in between? Do you just have a yearning to drive a truck, or do you want to start a business and prosper? I could go on, but you get the point, nes pas?

 

[FAMILYEXPDT]

From what you have said I would first start out by researching what type of company you would want to run for. As you can tell from posts on here, all of them have their strengths and their weaknesses. What kinds of things would "set you off" and would make it impossible for you to like your working/living situation?

I would also think carefully about what type of owner you want to run for. Do you want someone who is hands on or someone who is hands off? Do you want a lot of guidance or minimal? What is your end goal and your immediate goal to expediting and how will said owner help you accomplish those goals?

Talk to other drivers...see what makes them happy and what helps them be successful.


Those are a few starting tips.

-charlotte

 

[Smokediver511]

Ahh, Well i did not wanna be the Question master right off, got to have a starting point. Ok, well me and my wife are nearing the 40 and we each have a goal to become sucessufull expiditers. What i have learned from hours of research and actually stoping drivers in wal-mart parking lots have lead me to research farther into the practicals of the bussness. I have been a CDL B/Hazmat local driver working on commission for about 10 years, i relate to down times and fast times and understand the difference between Expidite and regualr trucking. My wife she is in process of getting CDLs, she has Permit now just waiting on the road test. We have located owners who are even willing to train her in there truck and road test which is great for us, but i guess i still am concerned about the over all "getting the miles" to make a living. I hear good things and bad. I have 10 years with two companys and we make a Great Living now, but even with hard work and dedication can we make it? Well one part of me says yes you can, drivers doing it everyday, but another part of me wonders how many drivers are nearing the threash hold of misfourtine. I know its got a lot of what you do with it and learning the ins and outs but nobody can really tell me that i will get the miles to make the check. I guess thats my #1 thought. I read post and articles all the time and everyday i learn new things and tactics from you the experenced drivers in expiditing. We currentley have a offer of the adv 60/40 split with us paying fuel and getting all FSC and Added bonus Miles in a late modle truck with Panther. Im leary about this 60/40 only as we are new but i do see it as a starndard only to the 40/60. I ramble so bear with me..Thanks for the input and i will try to output more...LOl

 

[TeamCaffee]

Ask lots of questions and as you have learned all ready keep reading. One day after you start driving someone will ask a question and a light bulb will go and you say wow I can answer that question! You could drive out here all your life and newbie can teach you something. That is part of what makes this job so much fun.

You can look at any job and any income and someone is always on the edge of failure. It is up to you to know your income and spending habits to become a success at anything you choose to do.

 

[Smokediver511]

Thats so true, Is what i have found out anyway. How is most FSC figured, I understand is Depends on some factors but not sure how that all comes into play. I understand some are giving a flat 20% Now and some is around 15% or based on how the compane charged the freight out. basicaly do you figure that in as 15% of paid miles to be paid or is there more to figuring FSC. I read this back a while and cannot find the place where it was broken down.

 

[silverdollar]

If you are looking for some kind of guarantee you will never find one.

 

[TeamCaffee]

With FedEx they use the National Average that brings our price down to 1.25 based on 9.5 miles to the gallon. That is the theory and as all theories go...

We have figured what out expenses are and what we need per mile to move our truck. We then look at what the load pays and accept or decline the load at that time.

 

[FAMILYEXPDT]

FSC is really dependent on what the customer is paying....and each customer has their own recipe. There are people that swear by 60/40 and others that swear by 40/60. I have teams that used to do 60/40 and now do the 40/60 and the number one comment I get is they have so much less stress now that they do not buy the fuel. Look at how much money you have set aside to get into this with, and how much are you willing to risk. If you have to DH or empty move 200 miles to get into a freight area, are you willing to cover that expense....because you will not get that money back. I have drivers that took a nice load to Colorado....there is very little ltl freight right now out of there....after 24 hours I sent them to Des Moines, IA. The driver still made their pay...the empty move cost me mine. You can read from people here stories about sitting days waiting on a load...most of them time because they were unable or unwilling to empty move themselves elsewhere. Some people may think I am wrong, but I feel in expediting we have 2 choices...sit or move. Once again...how much are you willing to risk of your investment?

As far as miles...noone can guarantee you miles. Most teams seem to get 3k a week in miles pretty regularly. 4 and 5 k frequently when everything falls into place.


-Charlotte

 

[Smokediver511]

Nope. Just a adverage was all

 

[Smokediver511]

Thanks,

You somewhat give me a idea anyway, Yeah thats what i seemed to put togather about the siting and or relocating to a freight aera. This owner wants to cover my fuel on comdata and when we settlement comes in retract the fuel back. Which actually comes out the same, but i do have the option on just paying fuel as i go.. He suggested this as a start up deal for a while untill we actualley got to going which i thought was over and above what most would do. back to my outher question, i was not asking for a garentee just a standard for teams.(which i know its impossiable to really say) but you can produce a adverage as you suggested above. 3000 week, 5000week, 500 week. Thats what i was look to know to base my bussness plans. I have worked on commission for 10 years and mostley based on weather, so i understand the process of 1000 in your pocket this week and 300 the next, just i dont have the expense there is with OTR expdidte. Im putting my ducks in a row

 

[Smokediver511]

Hey,

Thanks that is a Great site, lots of good stuff there. And im sure i will have a question soon about buying fuel. I have seemed to notice there is a factor to as where you buy it, Fot fuel tax reasons that i wish to make my pea brain understand.

 

[davekc]

My opinion would usually be a 60/40 with 100 percent of the fsc if one can handle the simple concepts of purchasing fuel. It might depend as well whether you are doing a percentage or milage run.

Example, would be a base rate of $1.20 per mile and .20 cent FSC

On a 60/40 rate, you would have .72 permile plus the .20 FSC giving you a total of .92 per loaded mile. Plus you should recieve 100 percent of Empty moves etc.
On a 40/60 plan, you would recieve .48
One can adjust according based on milage rate and FSC. With fuel based at 3.00 per gallon, and a 9 mile per gallon truck, 33 cents goes for fuel. Fuel is currently cheaper than my figures, so again, plug in the appropriate numbers.
So your difference is at least .11 cents per mile, and probably greater. On just a thousand mile trip, that is $110
On a 4,000 mile week, that is giving up 440 dollars a week for convenience.
As mentioned, the 40/60 is easier, it just a matter of what the convenience is worth to you.








Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[Smokediver511]

Very well put. SO if i get a 1000 mile load, at 1.20 mile and im getting 60% of the Gross

1000.0 x 1.20=1200.00(60/40split)...Fsc at 20%= 200.00(I keep)

1200 gross 60%split=720.00+200(FSC)= 920.00(to the Driver)

9.0mpg for a 1000 mile trip= 112.0 gallons(est)
fuel at 2.90 x 112gl burned=324.80

920.00-324.80= your profit of 595.20

Am i figuring all this right?





SmokeDiver & Company