I agree with Leo on two points:
1. What he said about designated experts.
2. What he said about $250k and $200k.
Based on our personal experience, Diane and I do not expect to gross over $250,000 a year in our CR-unit; at least not our first year out in that truck. We've already had too much down time to realistically expect that amount. While that number is in theory within reach if everything goes right, everything does not go right in this business.
You did not mention the kind of truck you drive (CR, DR, ER). At the risk of stating the obvious, similarly-equipped D and E-units drivin by similarly-credentialled teams have more money-makig potential than C-units because of their freight-capacity advantage. They can carry everything a C-unit can, and more.
You said, "We were making close to $150,000 each running 2 tractor/trailers, so I personally feel it's a waste of time for a team to be out here if they can't make close to $250,000. We had several months last year of $20,000-$25,000 as newcomers to expediting (started as a team in mid-July), so we were hoping to have a great year in '06. But with the advent of the new FedEx freight network, it seems good-paying long loads are few and far between, and we're sitting around waiting for loads that are no challenge for a team."
In our three years of team straight-truck driving, we have had several loads that paid over $5,000, but those are not the loads you count on to produce a good month and year. $500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,000 loads are far more common. The big-paying loads are nice when they happen, but they do not happen often. More than the occasional home run that comes your way in expediting, it is the singles and doubles that add up to a good month.
I've met drivers who believe good teams should get good team loads. Diane and I have never felt so entitled. We weigh each load not on team-entitlement grounds but on the merits of the load itself. If it is profitable, we run it. If it is not, we don't. As often as not, turning down a short run in hopes of snagging a long run later in the day leaves you sitting until the next day with no run at all.
For example, yesterday, we deadheaded about 120 miles for a 10 mile load that paid less than $300. No great shakes but it kept a big fat zero from otherwise appearing in that day's revenue column. Zeros can bring your daily and weekly average down real fast. If we focused on loads that are a "challenge" for a team, we would have passed that one up and ended up with a zero day.
The big loads come when the come but we cannot and do not count on them. Instead, we make the best decisions we can, one load at a time.
Regarding your comment about "FedEx Freight network," I can only share what we've seen. Since the network was announced, we have seen about the same number of long runs (including a couple home runs) as we have in the past. In terms of miles or run count, we have seen no negative impact from the network.
Finally, I notice you are comparing the combined production of two good solo tractor-trailer drivers in two trucks to the production of a good team in one truck. It is quite remarkable, when you think about it, that you can even consider the question within a $50,000 range.
To make a full comparison, you should also factor in the operating expenses of two trucks compared to one and the net financial result, plus whatever benefit you assign to the expedting lifestyle opportunites and being together in the same truck.
and moan about the freight rates, etc but hell we can't change that. We can change alot of different things we do ourselfs though.
