Qualcom/Panther

DannyD · Sep 21, 2006

Hiya folks,

I hadn't really considered applying at Panther but since I've now inadvertantly clicked that ad enough times I have a question just in case I get a subliminal urge to apply.

I had felt up until this time that as a non Panther driver it wasn't my place to ask this question. I've actually wondered this about every expediting company who's drivers use QC. I fully realize asking this question can make me appear as a chyt distuber. The flip side is since those other companies aren't advertising at me in an annoying & aggressie way I've left it alone.

Here's my question: I'd like to get a handle on expenses. So what I'd like to know is how much does Panther charge for Qualcom per week? And also, out of curiousity, what is Panthers cost to Qualcom (the company) per week? Finally, how many drivers does Panther have? It would be nice to know how big a fleet I was joining.

My guess, at least until someone gives me accurate information is this. QC costs the drivers $35/week. Panther pays Qualcom $10/week. With 1,000 drivers that's $25,000/week or $1,300,000 year that they make off their drivers. Are my numbers even close? If not could someone please let me know what the actual numbers are?

Thanx in advance,
Danny

tec1959 · Sep 21, 2006

Danny thats the numbers I've heard too....

Icebreaker · Sep 21, 2006

Let's be real - Panther IS in business to make money PERIOD. Be it the QC at a net profit of a Million a year, or not paying van drivers truck rates when the pick up the over-sized loads, it's never meant to be taken personally...it's just business. If you want a warm and fuzzy, please look elsewhere as this is a company determined to move up in it's financial status. Since the buy-out, the insurgence of the Conway drivers and the most recent corporate action replacing "Drivers Relations" (IE the drivers the last glimmer of fairness)with those who dispatch, I give cudos to the numbers crunchers and am looking forward to the Initial Stock offerings which I understand will be on the NY Exchange. So invest in Panther, and share in their profitable future.

God Bless and Good Luck

greg334 · Sep 21, 2006

DannyD
I understand why you are asking but I am wondering what does the cost to the company have to do with the cost of your expenses? I mean I don't care what FedEx pays for the access to the Qualcomm system and services, I pay a weekly rate and they is part of doing business as is insurance, etc.. Maybe I missed the point, sorry.

Also just to point out that the equipment is not free nor is the service contract nor is the access to the satalite. I got a qoute a while ago for new equipment for $3500 alone. Multiply that by the number of vehicles and this is money you usually have to have up front plus the subscription fee per unit, which if I remember also there is a charge not per message but per characture.

davekc · Sep 21, 2006

This affects alot of carriers using qc. Gregg is correct. You have a unit price and a cost per character on messages. That is a part that some overlook at times. With regards to Panther, they are installing a system that has more capabilities but I am not sure how that effects costs to them. Drivers will be paying the same thing. The recruiting dept could likely provide additional information.
We had a new unit installed in a new truck recently and I think it will be a pretty decent detup.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

panthervanman · Sep 22, 2006

i think you r trying to start chyt,but I don't care how much panther pays for it I knew going in what I was paying for it.I'm out here to make money for me and at the same time to make panther money too. When I was in sales I didnt know what the company was paying for the product that I was selling for them I just knew what they were paying me to sell it! Why do you feel that they own you more than what you agreed to.You sound like one of thoose baseball payers that after they signed the deal decided they wanted more money.Here athought if you aren't working for panther mind your own buisness and if you are working for them it sounds like you need to find a new job that you are happy with,but I think that some people are never happy! you have a good day and remember lets all be safe out there......jim;-)

LDB · Sep 22, 2006

Probably more like 35/20 but yes they make money off every one. News flash, they make ALL their money off their drivers. That's their only source for revenue. The freight is the means to the end but in the end it's the drivers who are responsible for every incoming dollar.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

DannyD · Sep 24, 2006

>i think you r trying to start chyt,

This is actually 100% correct. As I said in my original post:

I had felt up until this time that as a non Panther driver it wasn't my place to ask this question. I've actually wondered this about every expediting company who's drivers use QC. I fully realize asking this question can make me appear as a chyt distuber. The flip side is since those other companies aren't advertising at me in an annoying & aggressie way I've left it alone.

.Here athought if you aren't working for panther mind
>your own buisness and if you are working for them it sounds
>like you need to find a new job that you are happy with,but
>I think that some people are never happy! you have a good
>day and remember lets all be safe out there......

I did mind my own business for about 2 years on something I've always been curious about. That ad annoyed me so I combined blowing off a lil steam w/ asking a question I was truly interested in, not just for Panther but for any company that's drivers use QC.

My comment here would have been something to the effect of "it would be nice if Panther would mind their own business to & not stick that Spam Advertisement in our faces." In thinking about it though, maybe I'm bit wrong. Corrective action will be taken in another post.

Be safe,
Danny

davebeckym · Sep 24, 2006

Back when they were paying .90 per mile I was going to APPLY.

Then they went to .77 per mile so I'm not going TO.

All I can say about what PANTHER pays vans is, just say no to cheap freight!

FIS53 · Sep 24, 2006

It is normal to charge the driver more for the comm system than what the actual charges are for the unit to the company. They have to cover the cost of the dispatchers units and their costs of using the system. DO they maintain any extra units?? If so the cost has to be covered by someone (oh yeah the fleet). DO they charge you for repairs??? Also that extra money goes towards covering all forms of communications required by the company.

I used to be ops manager for a couple of courier companies so I got to see the true cost of comm equipment.
Rob Fis