Questions concerning my entry into this biz

[guest]

Wanting to get into this business gradually. I do not have to make a ton of money as I work on weekends now. Looking to run from Sun or Mon thru Thursdays utilizing a cargo van (which I have not purchased yet). Should I try and go it alone or should I lease on to a company? Problem is the companies want you to sign a years contract and travel the 48 which I cannot do right now. I plan on getting into this full time but not right off the bat. I live near a major airport as well. Also, there seems to be confusing info regarding if I need to have a dot number or not? My understanding is yes. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

P.S I have about 3 yrs total class A driving over the road. Last time in a truck was 2004. I know approx. what the commercial insurance is going to cost me as well as other expenses if I do this completely myself.

 

[RichM]

It's very diffcult to do expditing on a part time basis. In addition to the various companys wanting you to be available 24/7 you may find yourself hundreds of miles away from home when Thursday rolls around. Why not try the local air freight forwarders and they may have a place for you

 

[guest]

Thanks Rich. I will consider that. Still would like to get into expediting full time. I have and will continue reading other threads on this site in the meantime. Much thanks

 

[LDB]

Rich nailed it for you. I don't remember if you said where you are so I'm going to make up locations for illustration. You get a load offer picking up Monday night in Toledo 5 miles from home delivering Tues morning in Pittsburgh, done. Tues night an offer from Wheeling to Louisville, done. Now it's Thur morning and you get an offer to pick up in Indy that afternoon for a Fri afternoon delivery in Philly. You're looking at 650 paid miles with 21cpm fsc (which I think is on the high side for a van). What now? That's a really good run to turn down because you aren't really an expediter. As Rich said, expediting isn't a part time business. You never know where you'll be so you need the flexibility to go out and stay out and go home when work takes you in that direction otherwise you'll burn a lot of your profits in fuel deadheading home. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Broompilot]

This is a 100% or nothing business. If you buy a truck you will understand, tires not turning niether will your wallet. If one is gona drive someone elses truck, I just would not want to own that truck, as a part time RV.

As for your statement, do not need to make $, than why in the world would one want to enter into this? The glory of sight seeing is done tru the windshield of the truck, and as for visiting cities, almost all the truck stops look the same.

If one is not dependable, and staying in service enough than I do not believe Carriers want to invest into your truck to take you on, when one cannot be counted on as dependable and wanting to make money.

 

[guest]

Thank you to all who respond! I will consider the advice before I jump. I really want to do this, just need to gradually enter it if possible. I am near Charlotte,NC so if any of you have a suggestion as to who I may contact for contracting or leasing on please let me know. Thanks again to all for your time. Jeff

 

[davekc]

Your mind may say yes, but in several months doing this casually, your wallet will say your an idiot.
Pretty much the same as the others......this IS not a part time business. Do it as a part timer and expect to fail.
Really listen to the advice the others are giving you.
If you want part time, drive for a local courier/freight forwarder out at the airport.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[fastrod]

To all who say this is not a part time business, you are wrong. I do this as a part time business and it works great. I have my own authority and a cargo van. I also do automotive bodywork and painting. Between the two I can make a real good living. Rushiton, it do not cost alot to get your own authority so you may want to try it. I deal directly with the companies that need items expedited. I built a local customer base so I deadhead back home after each run. You do not need a dot number for 10,000 pounds or under. I have found price to be a major factor in getting runs. Good service consists of picking up the product and getting it there on time or early. Most companies do not care about how old the van is or how nice it looks. Once again they just want there product where it needs to be ontime. Hope this helps you.

 

[RichM]

Are you running under your own authority with DOT required insurance or are you just running gypsy freight.Getting your own authority is not expensive but insurance is.

 

[fastrod]

RichM I have the required insurance, 300,000 for the authority and 50,000 for cargo. 10,000 cargo is all the feds require for vans but I was told 50,000 would cover about anything i would be hauling. The 300,000 is for a 10,000 pound and under authority. My insurance costs about 190 dollars a month thru CIS.

 

[RichM]

Sounds decent but don't you have to have public liability of $750,000 as a minimum or does the under 10,000 pounds exempt that.

 

[fastrod]

10,000 pounds and under is only required to have 300,000. 10,001 and up is required to have 750,000.

 

[LDB]

>I built a local customer base so I deadhead back home after
>each run.... I have found price to be a major factor in getting
>runs.

It sounds like running cheap to get the run and then dividing cheap by 2 with the free deadheading back home. Running cheap freight for half price may mean you can do this and keep busy but doesn't make for very much profit. I'm not saying that to insult you, just commenting on what it sounds like based on your own post.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[davekc]

Alot of shippers require a million regardless of the vehicle. That aside, you are a rarity as far as doing it part time. If you look through the archives, I would be surprised if you found very many part time expediters. I don't recall any.
But, there is a first time for everything, but still not something I would recommend to someone new.







Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[fastrod]

I can underbid most of the expediting companys except Panther and still make money. Panthers rate is really low. When a shipper says Panther can haul for X amount per mile I mostly say sorry I cannot match that. Also keep in mind I do not have to split the money with a carrier or have to pay for things like qualcom. When you do it this way you have to do everything including selling. This was the part I found the hardest at first, but I am getting better with time. I just put this out there as a option for people to consider.

 

[guest]

Again thanks to fastrod and all who respond here. I am in the "research before I jump" mode and these answers are helping tremendously. I have been told by a friend in LA who does this that there is always enough freight to go around. Thanks again.

 

[guest]

Also, I have been told by someone at the FMCSA that any commercial vehicle crossing state lines for compensation have to have a DOT number. How come I see so many cargo vans with no numbers on them? Whats the absolute truth here?

 

[fastrod]

No DOT number needed for 10,000 pounds and under. Check out permitsplus.com for lots of good information. I used there services to get my authority.

 

[guest]

Thanks! What about SSR's (single stated registrations) Do I have to pay for these and what if I do not know what states I will be traveling in yet? Thanks again

 

[fastrod]

Well you did have to have that, but that program was ended as of jan. 1 2007. It is being replaced with Unified carrier registration at some point in the future.