Questions from a Newbie Cargo Van O/O

[ntimevan]

As soon as you think you know everything about this business ...something will arise and Slap you along side the head ... Learning something new is usually a good thing ....imo

 

[Ragman]

As soon as you think you know everything about this business ...something will arise and Slap you along side the head ...

https://31.media.tumblr.com/d3e8836b6488fc304509b37989b75e8b/tumblr_inline_nhmygn9ieG1t8ox7x.gif

 

[2centz]

U know it. Expediting is a fluid situation. Adapt & overcome. The people that have set plans & rules on what they will take and not take don't make it very long. It was said earlier," it's not rocket science." That's true. Wheels aren't turning, ur not earning.

 

[Ragman]

Wheels aren't turning, ur not earning.

However, remember, Truck ain't a moving, if I'll be a losing.

 

[2centz]

In a perfect world, u would take the best load of that day. One day, it's a 700mi, next day, 300mi. The thing I tell newbies, no matter who u drive for, when u start out with a company, stay in major metropolitan areas ie Chicago, Atlanta, etc. Just about any company out there gets loads out of those areas. Once u have a little time under ur belt, then u can try smaller cities.

 

[2centz]

What's the point of getting $20/mi if u aren't getting any miles?

 

[2centz]

Like I said, restrictions are what bankrupt most drivers. I c it time&time again. The owner I drive for took everything he possibly could. Hardly refused anything. He now has 30+ vans, his own shop w/ mechanic & never has to drive again.

 

[2centz]

I've learned a lot from him. Those r the guys to talk to.

 

[Yowpuggy]

Like I said, restrictions are what bankrupt most drivers. I c it time&time again. The owner I drive for took everything he possibly could. Hardly refused anything. He now has 30+ vans, his own shop w/ mechanic & never has to drive again.

I agree, the best year I ever had was my first in expedite when I took everything they were throwing at me

 

[2centz]

The good thing about working for an owner w/ that many vans, u can compare earnings to running styles. I'm one of his top earners every year. Even beating most of our teams. I got tired of fighting the system. 3+ yrs. W/ a 90%+ acceptance rate.

 

[2centz]

Another good thing about having a high acceptance rate is a little more consistent. I don't have a lot of up and down wks. When it all came down to earnings, the next van behind me was close. He had around 45% acceptance. His profit margin might have been a little higher, but he was doing a lot more dh on his own than I did. It was a wash.

 

[Ragman]

. . . He had around 45% acceptance.

Really? He took less than 1/2 of the loads offered? Wow!

 

[2centz]

We had a driver that refused over 800+ loads last year. He's sitting @ 5%. He's not doing real well. He's a home run hitter. 1000+ or nothing at all.

 

[2centz]

Now the company I work for, they offer the load to anyone that can make the p/u time. The next on the list gets the run. So a guy that's 500mi away can get the load over the guy sitting 10mi away as long as he can make p/u time.

 

[2centz]

The company is so hard up for drivers they keep him. It used to be the bottom 50 were cut every year. Not any more.

 

[2centz]

45% acceptance is avg. For our company.

 

[xiggi]

I would hate to see the pay and type of loads offered for that type of acceptance rate. How do they service customers.

 

[2centz]

Outside carriers. U name it. It's gotten bad. Only getting worse.

 

[2centz]

If they cannot cover it, they cancel it w/ the customer. Most of our drivers want the premium of premium, not that that is bad. What they don't understand is that if u don't take all their runs, good & bad, u lose all.

 

[2centz]

I'd say about 50/50 maybe 60/40 under 300mi. This is the run I just did. Was in Richmond, Va. Got load p/u on Friday in Fleetwood, Pa. 251mi dh. Deliver Buffalo,Ny Monday morning 308mi loaded. Total miles 559 paid $355.