NEW to the expediting game...

[GeorgiaBlues]

I must say that this forum is very informative. I didn't know this world existed, until my dad told me of his new idea to be an expediter.

I just need some honest feedback because I don't want my dad to get in over his head. My dad is 59 years old and I think he has this DISNEY WORLD image about the expediting business. After reading some post in the forum, I think me and Mr. Disney need to have a long chat. You see, my dad was laid off from his job and lucikly my dad saved his money and got 13 weeks of unemployment. But now, he is ready to do something new and I think he sees expediting as a way of seeing the country and having fun.
My goodness, I don't know what he is thinking but it seems in order to make money in this business; you have to truly be on the road away from home. Honestly, I don't think he can handle being gone that long.
My question to this forum is this; How much can you make with a cargo van? I have seen projected pay scales but can you really make over 1,000 a week delivering across the country. Why are teams better than having solo drivers? Are you assigned teams at your company, or do teams mean the amount of drivers and vans you own?
I have many questions because I no nothing of the industry. I am a supervisor for a shipping/receiver company but I had no idea all of this was going on.
I know this question depends on personal experience but what are the top 3 companies out there. In your opinion, who is the least desireable to work for?
How do you pay for medical insurance? Do you have medical insurance? If so, then where do you buy insurance?

 

[RichM]

If you go to the forum "Newbies FAQ" many of your questions will be answered in that forum. I know of no Expediting company that provides or subsidizes medical insurance for their contractors so at 59 years old your dad will be shelling out big bucks assumming the health insurance companys will take him on. There are several limited plans that are essentially discount program but will not be of any help for major illnesses

 

[nightcreacher]

with all the carriers flooded with cargo vans,netting $1000.00 after expenses,running solo, I would say isn't realistic,gross figures yes, but not after expenses.Trucking,not just expediting is a way of life,your gone from your families,and not everyone can do this,expediting,pays better than most other parts of trucking,but there is more demand on the drivers,it is a 365-7/24 job,if your in service you wont have much time to yourself,as you can be called for a load all different hrs of the day or night.
Being your dads age,if hes serious about driving truck,I'd go to truck driving school,go to a regular carrier,as a company driver,then he could get insurance and have a chance at that $1000 per week,and then if he really likes the life style,then come into expediting in a straight truck,or tractor trailer,but a cargo van,like I said,very difficult
Sorry if I wasnt more possitive,but I didn't want you to be miss guided

 

[ATeam]

If you have not already done so, read "Introduction to Expediting" at

http://www.expeditersonline.com/downloads/introduction.pdf

The Business Planning for Successful Expediters series may help awaken your dad to some of the business aspects of expediting. See:

http://www.expeditenow.com/cgi-bin/...1&keyword=Madsen&template=search/_madsen.html

Keep reading the Open Forum. First-person van operator failure stories are not hard to find. Your dad should see some of those too.

 

[x06col]

Sounds like your "Pops" is frugle. Meaning he was able to "save" while working and able to live on unemployment. He should be able to do fairly well in Expediting. To me it would be somewhat difficult to "get in over his head" with Cargo Van intentions. If all fails, he can still use the van for transportation, unlike a larger more expensive vehicle. Depending on where he resides, extensive travel probably will be necessary.