New Driver here with some questions please

[bcordell]

I have been reading the forums pretty much non stop for 3 or 4 days now and I wanted to say that this is a very good informative web site and am glad I followed the link from truck net.


A little about me. I am from Candler, NC and recently graduated from a Sage truck driving school in Oct. of 2004 I hold a Class A CDL T-X and drove for a local long haul company called East West for a few months(3) driving to CA and back. Reason I stopped driving is because I had some unforseen family problems arise and had to get that took care of. I am wanting to get into Expediting and from what I have read in the forums due to my lack of experience that I would have to find a owner that would show me the ropes ? I have no points on my license and have had no tickets in the last 4 or 5 yrs, No Felony convictions ever. I did have a small Misdemeanor in 1992 I had to pay a $25 fine.

I am wanting to know is if I can get into Expediting and am I going about this the right way ?

I realize that 4 or 5 days of reading on this forum really does no justice due to all the information that is here. But I have read that some have said that it is allot different from T/T driving. I was wanting to ask if someone could elaborate on that ?

Any and all opinions apprieciated.

Bill

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Expedite and OTR are two completely different animals. In expediting, we're expected to go from point A to point B straight thru, usually at a 50mph average. There are exceptions, such as weekend runs, but it's not the "four days to get it there" that OTR tends to be. We do alot of night driving.

Another difference is that we tend to sit more between loads... sometimes a day or more. That has turned many would-be expediters back to OTR. We justify that with our higher $/mile... quality vs quantity.

For someone new to expediting, I would suggest you team with an experienced owner or driver. Running an expedite truck is more business focused than OTR, and there are alot of tricks you'll hafta figure out along the way in order to be successful. That's regardless of which company you go with. Someone with expertise can help you with finding good freight zones, which loads are moneymakers and which are butt-kissers, etc.

With your record, I doubt you'll have a problem getting into a straight truck with any company. However, most companies require at least 6 months for t/t. Good luck with whatever you choose.

T-hawk

 

[terryandrene]

Bill: We'll all agree with T-Hawk on the difference between OTR and Expediting. You may want to look at one of the 380 plus jobs in the free classifieds at this site. If you haven't been there it's

http://www.expeditersonline.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi

This is a also a good time to promote the 5th annual Expedite Expo being held in Woodhaven, Michigan, at the Detroiter Truckstop 10-11 August. See the notice elsewhere on the EO home page. The two day event will be an excellent place for you too meet recruiters from all of the major carriers, owner/operators, and other drivers or owners who would like to meet someone with your qualifications.

Terry

 

[simpleminded]

I agree...

 

[bcordell]

Thanks all for the replies and for the guidance, ill be looking around for the next week so I can makeup my mind what I want to do.


Also when a new person starts out with an O/O is there any money on my end thats involved ? Like for drug screens or any of that ? I already have a 2yr DOT physical with over a yr still on it.

I would love to be able to go check out the Expo, Maybe my fortunes will change soon and Ill be able to go check it out.

Thanks again for the replies.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Depends on which company you go with, as far as how much you'll need. Some, like Tri-state, have you pay for your drug screen. I'm not sure about advances with them though. Panther doesn't charge up front for anything, but you'll hafta take a physical under their doctors.

As far as having money on the road... I would have a couple hundred to start with if your company does advances on the load (FECC and Conway pay after pickup and Panther pays after dropoff). If the company doesn't do cash advances (several smaller companies such as C&M), have alot more in your pocket for personal expences, and a couple thousand for fuel for the next 3 weeks or so.

T-hawk

 

[bcordell]

Thanks T-Hawk for all the advice. So if I am reading this correctly the main thing is the money for the road part. And as long as I choose a large carrier with cash advances then I should be ok.. Reason money is a big deal for me cause right now I have none..So I would have to find someone that would be willing to take a larger split I guess for the split on fuel until I can get my legs back under me ?

 

[simpleminded]

whats nice about landstar, is once you pick the load up you call HQ and they advance you 30% depending on what you want taken out before the weekly settlement.

 

[simpleminded]

oh, forgot to mention...

with Landstar, they pay for drug screens, just not physicals

 

[ATeam]

Bill,

It sounds like you are trying to gather a lot of information in a short time in order to make a career decision. It might be better to slow down the decision-making process if you can.

If that is not an option, one of the fastest ways to get info would be to contact recruiters from at least two expediting carriers and put your questions to them over the phone. The time you've already spent reading the forums will help you ask informed questions.

Some drivers are convinced that recruiters lie. I'm not of that opinion, but by calling two or more of them, you can check one recruiter's information against the other(s).

I can tell you for certain that recruiters will be willing to spend more time with you than they would someone totally uninformed about expediting. In your calls to recruiters, you will likely find that the time you spent reading the forums will pay off. Recruiters will respect you for asking INFORMED questions.

In the Free Classifieds section, you can find fleet owners that are advertising for drivers. If any fit for you, give them a call and put questions to them too.

Finally, some expediting drivers may be willing to give you some of their time and information by phone. You might make that request right here in the forums or privately to individual Forum members by the Forum e-mail feature you see here.

The main point is, telephone research is faster than Internet research. On the telephone, one question can be immediately be followed with another. A live conversation may go in directions online exchanges would not.

 

[davekc]

I agree with Terry. The Expo is your best possible place to gather information. Not only from just recruiters, but you will have numerous drivers in and out through the whole event.
You can gather a wealth of information all at once.
Plus, you can pose all of your questions to each company and find the one that fits what you want.
Hope to see you there

Davekc
owner
20 years

 

[bcordell]

Well I really wish I could be at the Expo its in Aug so Ill have to see what my finances are at that time. Also its not that I am in a absolute hurry its just when I get interested in something I read and think at the same time and when I read one of your responses I want to be sure that I totally understand it.

For me there is something you have to understand im more of a visual learner so I pick up things when I am shown very quickly, is why I like driving trucks and also have a computer degree all visual. Here in Asheville computer jobs are very scarce. So is why I got state funds to pay for me to take truck driving school.

Anyway to make a long story short as I said earlier had some family issues that I had to deal with and get resolved. Now that they are resolved I am wanting to try the expediting side of things, it looks very interesting and I have always wanted to learn the business side so I can be a O/O not that I want my own authority but would be nice to have my own truck leased on with a carrier.And I am in no hurry for this to happen. I am wanting to make sure that I know the business very well before I decide for this to happen. Or atleast well enough that I can make an informed decision. Because when I do something I go in it 100% not 95 or even 99 for me its 100%.