slow time

thumper59 · Jan 4, 2003

I am new to this business,I really enjoy it up to the point when I get lost.A lot o are droping out because of the lack of loads.Is this normal for this time of year? I think I can hold on with the hope that
it will get beter.I work for F.C.C, As a single E-unit 2-4 loads a week is normal,I seem to sit around more waiting thedn delivering.
anyone have any advice for a new member.I started 9-26-02,I find this job interesting to say the least

Irishjim · Jan 4, 2003

Thumper, Can you give me an idea what your E unit is and why you decided that over a D. Thanks, Jim.

teacel · Jan 8, 2003

An E unit is a TT and He should be as busy as a Bee. Tri State is begging for TT o/o's I know drivers and o/o's that are getting calls all the time from them asking to sign on.

paperback1 · Jan 8, 2003

YES TRI STATE IS BEGGING FOR E UNITS, SO IS TST WHERE I'M AT. IF YOUR ONLY GETTING A COUPLE OF LOADS A WEEK, I WOULD START LOOKING AROUND . YOU SHOULD BE RUNNING A LOT MORE.

thumper59 · Jan 12, 2003

thumper59
reply to irishjim
I run a 1998 Kenworth T-2000,good truck very good milage 8
mpg,good riding truck,Tight turning radius.Since my letter work is picking up,good paying loads,low DH milesIt seems to be getting better I talked to a few veteren drivers and they all told me the same thing ,Just hang in there it gets better with time.
why I have a e-unit instead of a D-unit? When F.C.C offered me the job they told me that they were looking for singleE-units no vans,Besides I have been a tractor driver for the last 27 years.With the E-unit I am open to all loads,Good ,Bad, or otherwise.
when times get slow I won't jump ship,I like F.C.C they seem to be fair to me!I am going to see what this year is like,So I can judge this job fair,What will sink me is the toll fees and the rising fuel prices,So we will see.
thumper59

jetskialamo · Apr 23, 2003

I am almost ready to buy a class d straight truck for expediting with a carrier out of detroit, mi. One thing holding me back is all the talk about the slow economy and drivers sitting forever waiting for loads. Is it getting better out there, or should i find another line of work?}>

rollnthunder · Apr 23, 2003

Make sure you do your homework first before buying atruck.Get all the info from the companies you are thinking about driving for.Some companies have a age limit.But as for slow times yeh there are slow times.Holidays are slow and about the first 3 months of the start of the year.But it does have alot to do with what company you are at.Plus it depends on if you turn down loads or you take anything to make a buck.There are alot of factors involved.Look into buying a class 8 truck.You will be happy with that.Also do alot of reading on this site you will read and learn a lot.Hope this helps

jetskialamo · Apr 25, 2003

Thanks for the feedback. The other day i was talking to a salesman at a dealer and he said buy a van vs. a straight truck. He said the straight will make more money, but with extra operating costs, you make the same in the end with a cargo van or straight truck.}> :+

x06col · Apr 25, 2003

All wanabes should consider that the very, very most part of truck
salesmen, company recruiters, and other company personnel, have NEVER
been there and done that. The vast majority of the ones that have been there and done that, are out of business for many varied reasons
(too much work, away from home too much, not enough income, or, just plain, lost their a--). I can assure you, if they had one of those
proverbial "cristal balls" that would tell them what size truck to buy etc., they would be out there with there pockets lined with green, working a few days a week. The ateam seemed a little miffed
that the "company" had not trained another poster concerning loading
procedure for his truck so he/she wouldn't be overweight. The only thing you'll learn from the company is, how to function as a good little driver concerning their policys and procedures. Even if most
of them could, would, wanted to advise me on some subjects, I would be hard pressed to implement their suggestions because of lacking
experience.

teacel · May 10, 2003

Hi Irishjim! Did you get into a truck yet? And if so how are you doing?

Brandy · May 15, 2003

Freight is stupids slow out there. I'm trying to hold on, but F.C.C. says that freight is down 40% than around this time last year. I don't want to nor am I thinking about jumping ship, but if things don't start picking up, and soon I'm gonna end up loosing my shirt out there. I drive a D Unit by the way.