Just read over the 50 or so Posts on the post buyout subject. A couple of things you have to know about Panther. If you take a load to Texas, Kansas, Florida etc... anything way out there, you had better be sure that your Fuel SC is enough to cover the round trip. Why anyone would sit anywhere 15th out is way beyond my thought process. It's simple... MOVE! Unless your owner is paying for fuel there is no reason not to suck it up and get in a better position. Panther doesn't want you to sit out in the middle of no where either, but it's up to you!
Panther dispatchers are for the most part just temp employees and really can't promise you anything. Yes there are a few good ones that have been there a while but you have to get to know them. If you naive enough to do a 'favor' for a dispatcher and expect something in return down the road, you are in the wrong business. Always, Always make your best deal right then and there and get it on the QC. If it's not on the QC then it did not happen.
When I got stuck somewhere, my safest bet was always get back to Chicago land. You will almost always get a good load in a day or two. I can't tell you how many I did that and it always paid off.
Teams... gotta learn that the little load of 300 miles may just put you in a better position... nuff said about that.
Canada... you are nuts to take a load into Canada these days unless it pays through the A*s. That means a hefty fuel SC, 1st out and whatever else you can arrange. It just costs waaay too much to run up there and the border/paperwork hassles are not worth it. I would never leave a shipper until my paperwork was faxed and accepted and verified on the phone with the broker. If you wait until you are down the road then you will pay the price.
All in all, once you know the system Panther is as good as anyone (exception LandStar... would love to work for them) I can't tell you how many Laraedo loads I passed on because I would be the 20th truck down there and I can't make money running one load a week. Just learn to stay away from CA, TX, CO, Kansas unless you are will to sit or accept a back haul that doesn't pay as well.
Remember to be Pro Active, don't wait for them to call you, get on the horn and work your business. Have fun and be safe!
David
Panther dispatchers are for the most part just temp employees and really can't promise you anything. Yes there are a few good ones that have been there a while but you have to get to know them. If you naive enough to do a 'favor' for a dispatcher and expect something in return down the road, you are in the wrong business. Always, Always make your best deal right then and there and get it on the QC. If it's not on the QC then it did not happen.
When I got stuck somewhere, my safest bet was always get back to Chicago land. You will almost always get a good load in a day or two. I can't tell you how many I did that and it always paid off.
Teams... gotta learn that the little load of 300 miles may just put you in a better position... nuff said about that.
Canada... you are nuts to take a load into Canada these days unless it pays through the A*s. That means a hefty fuel SC, 1st out and whatever else you can arrange. It just costs waaay too much to run up there and the border/paperwork hassles are not worth it. I would never leave a shipper until my paperwork was faxed and accepted and verified on the phone with the broker. If you wait until you are down the road then you will pay the price.
All in all, once you know the system Panther is as good as anyone (exception LandStar... would love to work for them) I can't tell you how many Laraedo loads I passed on because I would be the 20th truck down there and I can't make money running one load a week. Just learn to stay away from CA, TX, CO, Kansas unless you are will to sit or accept a back haul that doesn't pay as well.
Remember to be Pro Active, don't wait for them to call you, get on the horn and work your business. Have fun and be safe!
David
