I'm looking in to buying a straight truck or van to get into expediting. Most likely a straight truck. I'm 25 and have had my class b for about 3 years. A couple of weeks back I was in the process of getting qualified with FedExCC. My main concern was that I have a misdemeanor from 2004. That ended up not being the problem. My drivers license was suspended twice in 2004 for the same time period. Both suspensions started on 11/30/04, and both ended on 3/07/05. My license was suspended for a total of about 3 months. Both of the suspensions were for failure to pay a citation. The citations that I failed to pay were non-moving violations. FedExCC only allows one suspension in the 3 years prior. Their safety department wont bend on it. They told me in March I will be good to go with them. March however is 5 months away and I dont want to eat into my savings waiting. Are there any companies out there that are a little less stringent than FedEx? I have no moving violations, no accidents, nothing. I just want to get started asap.
Qualifying with carriers?
- Thread starter OnMyWay
- Start date
I would highly suggest you read back at least a year in the general, newbies and recruiter forums while waiting on a direct response from any company you are interested in. Hopefully some of our members can offer suggestions of who to consider but I'd also pursue contacts on your own from the companies you read about in the archives. Good luck.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Personally...only my opinion....forget it...go flip burgers for now.
Freight rates are low...over supply of trucks already, U.S. economy in the tank and getting worse, rising fuel costs. rising insurance costs...on and on and on....
The only ones you'll get positive advice from are from fleet owners trying to keep thier trucks on the road.
Freight rates are low...over supply of trucks already, U.S. economy in the tank and getting worse, rising fuel costs. rising insurance costs...on and on and on....
The only ones you'll get positive advice from are from fleet owners trying to keep thier trucks on the road.
Fr8 Shaker
Veteran Expediter
OVM, I couldn't have said it better myself.
EagleRiverWI
Seasoned Expediter
I wish I got OVM's advice before I bought my truck. I hope I can survive the next 10 months until this money pit is paid off.
Ya know the failure rate in the first year in this business is I think around 80% or higher.....think that one out....still wanna expedite and make the BIG bucks???
Thanks for the advice. My intentions were never to make the big bucks, just a comfortable living doing something I enjoy doing. I enjoy driving, I enjoy traveling to new areas and I like not having anyone standing over my shoulder telling me what to do. I think expediting covers all the bases.
OnMyWay....Don't get me wrong expediting is very or can be rewarding for the "right" individual/s. Some are cut out for it and some find they aren't. If you have all the right atributes and attitude..be my guest Welcome to the crazy life of expediting and YOU buy the first round of coffees if we meet!!!
Have a great day!
Have a great day!
In the worst of times and the best of times, some expediters fail and others succeed (whatever success means to them). Bad times are less forgiving that good times but some people still succeed where others do not.
I would not advise you away from the business for the sole reason that the times are not as good as they once were. But I would urge you to be extra careful about jumping in before you do. Do not let your hopes for the work (no boss, travel, etc.) cloud your views about the negatives you will have to overcome (slow freight, skyrocketing fuel prices, the need for financial reserves to carry you through truck breakdowns, extended periods of no freight, etc.).
About your eligibility, your story illustrates to all drivers the importance of protecting your CDL and driving record. Something that may seem minor or insignificant at the time can turn into something more serious later on.
I would not advise you away from the business for the sole reason that the times are not as good as they once were. But I would urge you to be extra careful about jumping in before you do. Do not let your hopes for the work (no boss, travel, etc.) cloud your views about the negatives you will have to overcome (slow freight, skyrocketing fuel prices, the need for financial reserves to carry you through truck breakdowns, extended periods of no freight, etc.).
About your eligibility, your story illustrates to all drivers the importance of protecting your CDL and driving record. Something that may seem minor or insignificant at the time can turn into something more serious later on.
Phil..You said that very well.....good job!
OnMyWay... If you feel ready to enter expediting try the shallow end of the pool first, not the deep end. By that I mean start out with a good used truck or van. One that is relatively inexpensive. Keep most of your money in reserve for lean times. I admire your entrepreneurial spirit at such a young age and wish you good luck.
I thank everyone for their input. I continue to read both new and old posts in an effort to learn as much as I can before jumping in. Obviously, you can make a living in the expedite business, otherwise none of you would be here. I am sure that what kind of a living you make depends on the person you are. I understand that there are factors which I will not be able to control such as fuel prices, freight, etc, however, if I am smart and make the most of the things I can control I am confident that I can be successful.
I have set the ball in motion. I am in touch with a recruiter and am in the process of securing a truck. The truck is approximately 40k, I will be financing roughly 36k at a reasonable interest rate. I have close to 17k in savings as well as a 5k line of credit. I am hoping as long as nothing major happens this will be enough to see me through. To OntarioVanMan, Id be more than happy to buy you that cup of coffee and look forward to hearing any advice you have to offer.
I have set the ball in motion. I am in touch with a recruiter and am in the process of securing a truck. The truck is approximately 40k, I will be financing roughly 36k at a reasonable interest rate. I have close to 17k in savings as well as a 5k line of credit. I am hoping as long as nothing major happens this will be enough to see me through. To OntarioVanMan, Id be more than happy to buy you that cup of coffee and look forward to hearing any advice you have to offer.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
I would wait til spring,jan feb march are not the best times to start into expediting.and before i would buy a truck,other than a tractor,i would try working for a fleet owner that is in the business.what i mean about a tractor,if you dont like the work,you can always go to regular freight,but that doesnt pay very well,and its hard to make ends meet.
what ever you decide,most carriers that are reputable,wont insur you with 2 suspensions,that is why fed ex cc told you what they did.
what ever you decide,most carriers that are reputable,wont insur you with 2 suspensions,that is why fed ex cc told you what they did.
nightcreatures advice is sound...IF you could hold off on your purchase till spring Mar-April and find an owner to drive with the carrier you plan to put your own truck on with till then..it wouldn't cost you your bank roll and you'd get used to the carrier that your going to sign-up with...Good Luck