Somehow its all comming back to me.

[Broompilot]

I remember the excitement I felt last year prior to buying my truck and reading so many great posts. Than it happened GIANT dissipointments followed by more and more until finially I was so depressed and mad at myself for ever getting into this.

Had to come up with a plan, but thats getting off the point of the subject.

I do not care to paint any over glossy, rosey, bragging facts. I think I have the reputation here of telling it how it is and how I see it with out bragging.

For anyone new into this, I caution you in what you read. Research what is made up as fluff and ask another couple of posters in private EO E-mail as most will be honest and straight up. I did this after buying into the fluff and realized it was B.S.. or could not work for me.

I post on here and try to keep the prospective as what can I help someone with reading this or to keep you from making a mistake I have made. I will only bragg to those I know personally, as it generally has a tendancy to haunt one later or make you eat your words. I am seeing some Posts with so much FLUFF, that it must make one wonder.

Anyone seen that little boy with the wooden nose lately?

 

[RichM]

Unfortunately Fluff comes along.Most of us know who generates the most Fluff,but newcomers do not.Bad decisions that truly hurt and have long ramifications can be caused by Fluff. Last year I met a couple with a C unit that truly regreted listening to a Fluff source.

 

[davekc]

Most fluff is generated from a source of a few. As mentioned, too many times we have seen people lose it all by taking the advice of the uninformed or inexperienced.
Research is important and always consider the source from which the information is coming.
If new and unsure, follow the already posted advice and email someone who does.




Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[LDB]

I try to find at least 3 independent responses supporting the same conclusion before I consider something as potentially viable. Then I pursue more details and information to build on what I already have. I've seen things in the forum that were way out in left field. It's difficult to know what's what when you are new. That's why it's so important to do lots of checking on things you are told and not depend on any one source for your information.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
Expediters Online.com - The Best is Getting Better!
-----
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[raceman]

BroomPilot makes a good point here. The sad part about this is that is brought up every year yet the source of the fluff is never pointed out.

People are not mind readers and therefore they conintue down the path of listening to the fluff or they don't listen to anyone because they do not know who the problem is.

I was always jumped on and normally just for a positive attitude. I am still doing what I do and making money doing it but I don't spend much time telling others about it.

I feel like people had no problem putting my name in lights when I was simply positive yet no one will point out the so called Fluffers.

No pun intended. Just my thoughts. It really does little good to tell everyone someone could be misleading you but you have to guess who it is.

Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[Broompilot]

Read the post that indicates 5,000.00 for one run? Yes it is possible for a team but rare very rare about as rare as getting a run from Miami to Anchorage but it could happen.

This is just misleading to a Newbee comming in that maybee every so often I could depend on a load like this. Do not ever count on anything over 3K as they have been less than one hand to count on for me but 5K? You better have a refer, liftgate, straps, etc.. a great reputation and that is still not a guarantee you will EVER see a load like that in a Straight Truck.

I am gona proabably get blasted for this but I do not care I care more about not painting roses and see one not tie up a life savings as to keep it in prospective of what is reality. The industry average for each load is proably much closer to $700 per run I am not saying thats my average just the industry.

I would love to see the recruiters answer to this one ( Read where a driver made $5,000.00 on one run.)

 

[davekc]

Broom wrote.

Read the post that indicates 5,000.00 for one run? Yes it is possible for a team but rare very rare about as rare as getting a run from Miami to Anchorage but it could happen.
==============================================================
We actually did have a run there and back several years ago for one of the Cruise ship lines. You are correct...possible but not anything I would bank on. Notice that was several years ago, and hasn't happened since.
I wouldn't be considering a truck purchase based on this type of run.
That was just being in the right place at the right time.
Industry averages are much closer to what Broompilot is showing.



Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[raceman]

I think we are on the same page here. I am just saying when people point out that there are a few folks fluffing the stories, they need to call out the fluffers. The newbies you are trying to help, and I commend you for that, have no idea who is blowing smoke and who is not.

I do not think name calling is a good idea except in a situation like this and I feel people need to be pointed out as possibly over doing the stories. That in fact then will help Newbies understand.

I once made a positive comment about my lack of concern for the first quarter of the year. In fact it was about December of 2004 and I was blasted for that. I was simply being positive yet I was kicked, spit on, thrown around and left for dead.

If people are leading Newbies down the garden path maybe they need the same treatment I got simply because of what is just my personality.

Raceman
OTR O/O

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Race, I remember that well. I also got targetted for pointing out what seemed to be fluff. It was a nightmare that continued until recently on another site.

I find myself wanting to point out certain individuals who claim all this knowledge, yet know little more than newbies who walk in the door wondering what expediting is all about. But I'm crass, and most on here know that. I don't want another flaming war on my hands... been there, job done, don't like it.

I don't know everything, so I try to make sure my opinions are stated as such. Though from time to time I tend to dine on my own foot, I'm not afraid to admit it. I just wish ppl would eat their crow with humility, if that makes any sense.

 

[rfrogger120]

$700 per load is that for a B,or C or D unit?

 

[davekc]

I believe in this thread he is referring to "D" units.


Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[rfrogger120]

whats the average pay per load for a cargo van?

 

[Broompilot]

Great question, and I enjoy your question froggy maybee this might help and I hope I am corrected if I am wrong but probably around $400.00 how many per week? I would want no less than three some weeks three $800 loads others two @ 300.00 its all in a total month not day to day or week to week.

 

[terryandrene]

mine was $440.83. about half the year team, other half solo. Some team runs are longer than solo runs so I'd say a solo would be about the $400 Broom said.

 

[ATeam]

>Read the post that indicates 5,000.00 for one run? Yes it
>is possible for a team but rare very rare about as rare as
>getting a run from Miami to Anchorage but it could happen.
>
>This is just misleading to a Newbee comming in that maybee
>every so often I could depend on a load like this. Do not
>ever count on anything over 3K as they have been less than
>one hand to count on for me but 5K? You better have a
>refer, liftgate, straps, etc.. a great reputation and that
>is still not a guarantee you will EVER see a load like that
>in a Straight Truck.

>I am gona proabably get blasted for this but I do not care I
>care more about not painting roses and see one not tie up a
>life savings as to keep it in prospective of what is
>reality. The industry average for each load is proably much
>closer to $700 per run I am not saying thats my average just
>the industry.

No blast intended, Broomopilot, but talking about reality means telling the whole story. You half-alluded to it when you metioned reefer, straps, etc. The truth (reality) is that Diane and I (team drivers) turned down not one but two $5,000 runs in 2005 because of conflicts with our personal schedules.

Of runs completed, our top-10 paying runs in 2005 were:

$7,124.79
$5,719.09
$4,177.38
$3,906.43
$3,858.21
$3,810.90
$3,283.90
$2,676.95
$2,529.61
$2,527.55

Had we taken the two $5,000+ runs, the top-ten would be:

$7,124.79
$5,719.09
$5,000+
$5,000+
$4,177.38
$3,906.43
$3,858.21
$3,810.90
$3,283.90
$2,676.95

In other words, Broompilot, $5,000+ loads are not as rare as you say. Four of them were offered to us in 2005, two of which we accepted.

To balance the picture, our bottom-ten loads were:

$259.30
$236.37
$233.90
$203.01
$202.12
$151.38
$149.25
$103.00
$95.70
$68.44

We did 142 loads in 2005, including dry runs. Average pay per load was $1,221.07, which is $173,392 gross revenue to the truck. That's an OK year, but from what I hear from our White Glove friends, it's nothing out of the ordinary for White Glove trucks either. The number gives us no joy because it falls well short of the goal we set.

Our production was less than we wanted it to be because we spent about 90 days off the road in 2005 that we did not plan on when the year began. Also note that because we drive fleet trucks, and not a truck of our own, about 40% of the gross revenue we produce goes to the truck owner, not to us.

Our goal is to produce over $200,000 a year as straight-truck expediters. We have not achieved that level yet but know teams that have.

We believe $200,000 a year to be an achievable goal; and not one based on pie-in-the-sky statements from recruiters, or arrived at by looking at the world through rose-colored glasses. We believe the goal is achievable because we know people that set the leadership example for us by achieving that goal themselves. We believe the goal is achievable because had we not lost 90 days in 2005 to unanticipated events, we would have achieved it ourselves.

Kindly note that we drive the reefer (part of 2005, dry box the other part), liftgate, and straps you talk about; and we have a good reputation with our carrier, though we've not seen any special loads come our way because of our reputation.

Reality is, Broompilot, that a married couple team with healthy bodies, a strong work ethic, and good business sense can enter the industry and make good money almost immediately. Does that mean everyone can? Of course not, and most people with the IQ of a house plant know it.

Reality is, Broompilot, that a number of teams (WG and non-WG) do very well as expediters. That story deserves to be told as much as the stories of those that barely scrape by or go bankrupt.

The numbers don't lie, Broompilot; and neither do I.

Regarding the numbers, I've never been one to wonder what industry averages are. I'm more interested in what the top producers are doing. If they can do it, so can I, I believe. Theirs is the example I seek to follow.

Expediting, like any other industry, has its top producers. These days, the top producers gross over $200,000 a year. And as with any other industry, the way to become a top producer yourself is to figure out what the top producers are doing and then do the same.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Gee such a fluffy little doggy. Come 'ere and let me rub your belly.

THUD!


Boy, I just love that commercial, don't you? :7

 

[davekc]

Reality is, Broompilot, that a married couple team with healthy bodies, a strong work ethic, and good business sense can enter the industry and make good money almost immediately. Does that mean everyone can? Of course not, and most people with the IQ of a house plant know it.
_______________________________________________________________

Success and failure many times are controlled by other circumstances other than ones IQ. Change in companies business strategies or management,economy, constant equipment failures, health, personal relationship issues, finances and poor management are all factors. Some can be controlled individually while others can't.
Yes I would say your post is alittle fluffy.
For me, your numbers mean little without the associated costs to obtain them. Grossing $200,000 and spending $180,000 to get there has little value.

I think Broompilot is showing what would be a fair expectation of averages for someone starting out. I wouldn't want someones financial decisions based on your numbers if new.

That doesn't mean your numbers aren't achievable, but they don't reflect a industry average.
Many of us know that what is achieved in one year, may not be obtainable the next.
Big difference between what is reality for some and what might or could be.
The year 2000 to 2001 comes to mind.
That was a time many wish they were looking through rose colored glasses.






Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

 

[RichM]

Fluff reins big time.

 

[greg334]

Hey ATeam I don’t want to sound contemptuous but I find your post somewhat obtuse.

Having lofty goals and telling everyone about your success is all good and well but for a few of us, it does not sit well especially when we are told that to be successful we must find out what the top producers are doing and you don’t care about industry averages for this segment, indicating you are one of these top producers.

I commend you on achieving your goals, but lets be frank, fluff and c**p does not help anyone who wants to get into this and saying to be successful is to be someone that they can’t be is not going to help anyone. Many don’t have a clue where to find successful expediters let alone know how to talk to them. A great number of them don’t have the second resource to make up a team and can’t get that resource. Far too many can’t afford your approach to expediting. How pray tell is a newbie without a financial background supposed to reproduce your results?

As DaveKC said “Success and failure many times are controlled by other circumstances other than ones IQ. Change in company’s business strategies or management, economy, constant equipment failures, health, personal relationship issues, finances and poor management are all factors. Some can be controlled individually while others can't.†He is right on target. No one, not even the best and most successful expediter can anticipate every variable in this segment of the industry and to say they can is only fooling themselves.

I strongly feel that this is all about luck more than skill, especially when you are talking about FedEx CC WG. This stuff with FedEx CC WG is not the bid on/hope to get a load scenario but specialized service to the point that there is little or no outside competition and the branding of the service for most customers has already taken place long before the need to move something is created. You are not given these loads because of your skill or special knowledge; you are just a truck that fits specific criteria that is requested by a company to move something, nothing more. If I am wrong, please show me some proof.

 

[ATeam]

>Yes I would say your post is alittle fluffy.
>For me, your numbers mean little without the associated
>costs to obtain them. Grossing $200,000 and spending
>$180,000 to get there has little value.

DaveKC,

I appreciate your civil reply.

The costs incurred to produce the revenue we produced should not be difficult to figure out since you are a fleet owner and we are a fleet driving team. Our costs for the truck are $0. The fleet owner buys it. Our costs for truck maintenance is $0. The fleet owner pays it. Our costs for personal accident insurance, fuel, food, and occasional hotels on the road would be the same as for most other drivers; give or take depending on dining and hotel preferences and frequency. Our biggest expense is the 40% cut that goes to the fleet owner, but it is a fair exchange.

I know of no other opportunity in America where two people of ordinary ability (a driving team) can be handed a $100,000+ piece of equipment, with virtually no strings attached, to use to earn a good living.

As far as "fluffy numbers" go...what can I say? We entered the industry with no previous trucking experience whatsoever and made money from the first day. I'm sorry if that does not jive with the wisdom of more-experienced expediters. It's simply what happened. It didn't happen by accident, I might add. It happened because we did our research before jumping in and we started with a solid business plan.

Regarding unanticipated developments that hurt income, we suffered more than our share in 2005, to the point that we lost 90 days of production, a full 25% of the year as a result. That's the negative side of our year. Losing three months of income to negative factors is hardly a fluff story, but it's part of the story I tell as well.