Newbie Cargo Van O/O's first post - Need Advice

fordcargo · Jan 12, 2009

I have contracted to work for an Expediting company out of Indianapolis, IN. I started just a few months ago. Things started out good and I'm not complaining since I am still getting loads. What is bothering me is the fact I always dead head back home.

My question here today is this, is there anything I can do personally to get loads back home? If so, do I need to get any special license or authority to contact companies about getting loads?

Any advice is always greatly appreciated and always taken into consideration.

Thank you,
Ted

fastman_1 · Jan 12, 2009

Welcome to the cargo van world, My theory was I could sit whereever I was at or Deadhead back into the freight zone, Most of the loads I ran were no more than 500 miles,I would deliver, wait 24 hours, then deadhead back home and 90% time would have a load waiting for me when I got back into the area.

fastrod · Jan 12, 2009

I have always deadheaded home after each delivery. If you are getting runs from your home area why bother rotting in a parking lot. It is a lot better to wait at home for your next run. You could get your own operating authority if you want. I used Permits Plus to get mine.

Jack_Berry · Jan 12, 2009

fordcargo, what company are you with?

fordcargo · Jan 12, 2009

First I want to thank you all for the replies.

I am with Indy Expediting.

Did it pay off getting your own authority? I would rather stay out a month at time than having to dead head back and forth to Indy every single time I go out. It just feels wasteful to me.

I mean if I go from Indy to NC, wouldn't it be better for me to get a load from NC to IL or OH than to just deadhead back to Indy? Shouldn't it be possible for them to get me loads from other states while I'm out there, at least to another state? It seems like Panther and other companies like that do.

My dad was a trucker for years, but as a kid I didn't pay much attention and we lost him to cancer when I was 22. So, I really didn't learn much more than how to drive from him as far as the trucking industry goes. I have driven vans and cube trucks for a living almost consistently from the time I got out of college. It's what is in my blood I guess. I keep coming back anyway.

Thanks everyone.

RedBird · Jan 12, 2009

Smaller companies such as yours (Indy Expediting) probably focus on one way loads out of Indy area. They don't have the driver base scattered throughout the country as does the bigger companies such as FedEx, Bolt, Express1, etc.......Companies like the big ones I mentioned have sales reps based throughout the country hunting out freight for them all over the country. The smaller guys such as your company and the four I run with, are not that big and can't afford to have a huge driver base or sales staff all over the country. They focus more on the local companies in the cities where they're based from.....Therefore you get more one way loads. If you live in a good city with lots of freight movement (like me in Chicago) its easier to just deadhead home. One of my fellow expediters referred me to a website that specializes in small car and van loads. I'm going to check it out and if it works for me I'll share it with you guys.

By the way how much to get your own authority?

fastrod · Jan 12, 2009

It was $499 thru permits plus. The authority I got was for 10,000 lbs. and under.

RedBird · Jan 12, 2009

thanks for the info

fordcargo · Jan 12, 2009

Lots of good information.

Fastrod, was it worth the money getting your own authority? What was your main inspiration for getting it?

fastrod · Jan 13, 2009

Yes it was worth getting and one of the reasons I got it was the company I was leased to priced themselves out of market.

MCBuggyCo · Jan 15, 2009

Some stay out and some come home. Each side has their pluses and both have their downsides. Its up to the individual to pick which best serves their purposes and priorities.

One thing to consider ... if your boss counts on you to return promptly so that you are available to serve his customers he might not be too happy if you are instead zigzagging the country on your own runs.

morford1 · Mar 17, 2014

Can anyone tell me where I can find a owner operator with vans that may be hiring in the Florida area?

cheri1122 · Mar 18, 2014

Try the EO Classified ads, "Driver Wanted", there are numerous cargo van ads. Didn't see any in Fl, [on the first page], but several in the SE area, anyway.

Lawrence · Mar 31, 2014

morford1 said:
Can anyone tell me where I can find a owner operator with vans that may be hiring in the Florida area?

Try this

https://www.expeditersonline.com/classifieds/category/201/Driver-Wanted.html

Moot · Mar 31, 2014

https://www.expeditersonline.com/cl...d/listings/18314/Cube-Van-Needs-A-Driver.html

How refreshing to see an ad for a driver that pretty much lays it all out without glossing over the lifestyle or exaggerating the pay. This ad may not get many responses, but those that do respond will know what is expected of them. Anyone that is this brutally forthcoming in an ad for a driver is probably an honest business person and has low driver turnover. If I was looking for an owner with a van, this person would be the first I would contact. Hmmm, I've always wanted to be a cubist.