It is a lot less stressful...not needing that big load...being able to take shorties and making ends meet...the not having to worry...makes the waiting that much more palatable..
Something for Newbies to Think about / TJP's Trials
- Thread starter chefdennis
- Start date
The stress REALLY shows up when you have a bad week/month like we are having now. Instead of just working through it we have to rack our brains TRYING to figure a way out of this. Not NEARLY as fun. I miss the old days.
and every decision means so much more...always second guessing yourself, not trying to maybe make that fatal mistake...knowing a major error in judgment could cost you dearly...stress....
Yep, that is it to a "T". It really sucks. Then you have to add in everyday life, medical, family etc etc. It does not even have to be a major error, a combination of minor errors can have the same effect.
Sure hope all you newbies are paying attention to this. Learn from it.
Great "food for thought" from the Chef. Good job.
Some of this I have posted before. I always recommend before anyone buys a truck, to have at least 10k in reserves in addition to the price of the truck and start up costs.
There has been a few folks over the years that have had accidents early on, and got completely wiped out. It is a big mistake to think you can collect damages right away.
Case in point. We had a TT back into one of our trucks a few years ago. 8k in total costs. All recovered, but didn't actually have a check for close to a year.
Many also don't know exactly what insurance coverage they have. You better.
Another case in point.
In recent weeks, we had a haz spill in one of our trucks where the company ran a forklift through two chemical barrels.
Shut down the whole plant and the clean proceeded.
Since the load was damaged at the consignee, the carriers load insurance wasn't involved. We are on our own to collect, administrate repairs, and retrieve damages. The carrier washed their hands of it and couldn't file a claim. Things have progressed nicely so far, but be advised that you could have some exposure in this type of scenario.
Bobtail insurance won't cover a chemical spill. Load insurance will, but not when it is the fault of the consignee.
You would eventually get your losses, but how long can you go without revenue and carry the cleanup costs? If you are prepared, no problem. If your running on pennies, it could get ugly.
Just as mentioned, make sure you have adequate reserves.
There has been a few folks over the years that have had accidents early on, and got completely wiped out. It is a big mistake to think you can collect damages right away.
Case in point. We had a TT back into one of our trucks a few years ago. 8k in total costs. All recovered, but didn't actually have a check for close to a year.
Many also don't know exactly what insurance coverage they have. You better.
Another case in point.
In recent weeks, we had a haz spill in one of our trucks where the company ran a forklift through two chemical barrels.
Shut down the whole plant and the clean proceeded.
Since the load was damaged at the consignee, the carriers load insurance wasn't involved. We are on our own to collect, administrate repairs, and retrieve damages. The carrier washed their hands of it and couldn't file a claim. Things have progressed nicely so far, but be advised that you could have some exposure in this type of scenario.
Bobtail insurance won't cover a chemical spill. Load insurance will, but not when it is the fault of the consignee.
You would eventually get your losses, but how long can you go without revenue and carry the cleanup costs? If you are prepared, no problem. If your running on pennies, it could get ugly.
Just as mentioned, make sure you have adequate reserves.
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Falligator
Expert Expediter
Take me for instance, the differential and wheel bearings went out on my van at the same time when I was in the California desert. It cost me 2,300$ for repairs. Luckily I did have the money for the repairs, but when I got my van home another problem arose. Now I'm out of money and driving a straight truck for another owner until I can get a new engine for my van. Just seems like one thing after another. When it rains it pours.
You are not alone. Many good people get behind the "8" ball through no fault of their own. Once there it becomes difficult to impossible to get back out. The idea of this thread was to help newbies NOT to start out in trouble. Maybe by reading some of what has happened to some in here will at least help other avoid some problems.
guido4475
Not a Member
That is excactly right, Greg.Another question that I have been asking myself is, why he didnt get a temp job in the meantime to cover his personal bills?Something is better than nothing.
Without wheels it is hard to go to a temp job. It was a bad time for him but he had a roof over his head and food in his belly. I think TJ's biggest problem was extreme boredom and frustration.
That is excactly right, Greg.Another question that I have been asking myself is, why he didnt get a temp job in the meantime to cover his personal bills?
The question is one you should have kept to yourself, methinks - do you imagine he was told up front that it would be nine weeks? Or was he told "a week or so" to start, then "need more parts - another week or so" every subsequent week?
That is excactly right, Greg.Another question that I have been asking myself is, why he didnt get a temp job in the meantime to cover his personal bills?
The question is one you should have kept to yourself, methinks - do you imagine he was told up front that it would be nine weeks? Or was he told "a week or so" to start, then "need more parts - another week or so" every subsequent week?
Ah someone who get's it.
guido4475
Not a Member
That is excactly right, Greg.Another question that I have been asking myself is, why he didnt get a temp job in the meantime to cover his personal bills?
The question is one you should have kept to yourself, methinks - do you imagine he was told up front that it would be nine weeks? Or was he told "a week or so" to start, then "need more parts - another week or so" every subsequent week?
Duh, Cheri, that is why I said a temp job, where a person can work on a day to day basis. Dont be so .......lol.
I mean, you could of done the same when you ran into that bridge in Corpus Christi, also, for that matter....
Totally irrelevant - and mentioning it just shows what a jerk you can be.
Now: go tell Leo that I insulted you - it's the next step, I think.
I, at the first part of this wreak already had a plan to go on vacation to Vegas...so i was gone for 5 days...got back an was told the van was gonna be another week...An that process has reocurred 7 more times...An Ive been told the last 4 time that it will for sure be done...I also dont have a running personal vehicle to get around back home...I was tryin to save up for a cheap one but hadnt gotten that far lol...Also, my only personal bills consist of a cell phone bill and paying an what i pay every week to drive the sprinter... Just got word today that they ""PROMISE" to have the sprinter done on tuesday so i have pushed back my orientation to Thursday...So I hope to be sharing the great roads of America with y'all by no later than next Monday!!!
Just got word today that they ""PROMISE" to have the sprinter done on tuesday so i have pushed back my orientation to Thursday...So I hope to be sharing the great roads of America with y'all by no later than next Monday!!!
guido4475
Not a Member
Totally irrelevant - and mentioning it just shows what a jerk you can be.
Now: go tell Leo that I insulted you - it's the next step, I think.
First of all, great advice fleet owner driver, I said I often wonder why he didnt get a temp job.The key word in here is wonder...I didnt say gee, tjp, why didint you get a temp job?
And I can be a nice person, easy to get along with, acually.But when someone with a shaky driving record tells me to keep my opinions to myself, well, that started it all.Keep youre mouth in check, think before you speak.
And what leo have to do with this? I dont care what he thinks, and have never ran to any moderator complaining about what anybody has said about me, or one of my posts, unlike you...
And, in closing I'd rather be a jerk than....
But it wasnt too long ago, recently, actually, that I contacted E.O via e-mail, suggesting a emergency fund funded by drivers, to help out those facing times such as what tjp is going through, and what Layoutshooter went through last year, to help them out, without the need to payback the money given to them.We should take care of our own, so to speak.But remeber, I am a jerk...lol.
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guido4475
Not a Member
I, at the first part of this wreak already had a plan to go on vacation to Vegas...so i was gone for 5 days...got back an was told the van was gonna be another week...An that process has reocurred 7 more times...An Ive been told the last 4 time that it will for sure be done...I also dont have a running personal vehicle to get around back home...I was tryin to save up for a cheap one but hadnt gotten that far lol...Also, my only personal bills consist of a cell phone bill and paying an what i pay every week to drive the sprinter...
Awesome, Tjp !! I give you the upmost respect for your extreme patience during this as well as the Laredo thing.I wish I had that much,that's for sure.It all worked out in the end.
Again, you misquote: I said "you can be", which is not the same as "you are".First of all, great advice fleet owner driver,
Is that [fleet owner driver] supposed to be pejorative? [I'll wait, while you look it up.....] If so, total miss!
I said I often wonder why he didnt get a temp job.The key word in here is wonder...I didnt say gee, tjp, why didint you get a temp job?
Is exactly what you said, just indirectly.
And I can be a nice person, easy to get along with, acually.But when someone with a shaky driving record tells me to keep my opinions to myself,
Please don't misquote me - I didn't say 'opinions' plural - my remarks were confined to your statement concerning why TJP didn't get a part time job.
well, that started it all.Keep youre mouth in check, think before you speak.
If you'd followed you own advice, your next comments to TJ wouldn't be backpeddling, would they?
And what leo have to do with this? I dont care what he thinks, and have never ran to any moderator complaining about what anybody has said about me, or one of my posts, unlike you...
"Unlike you"? You have no business making allegations that you can't back up.
And, in closing I'd rather be a jerk than....
Whatever.
But it wasnt too long ago, recently, actually, that I contacted E.O via e-mail, suggesting a emergency fund funded by drivers, to help out those facing times such as what tjp is going through, and what Layoutshooter went through last year, to help them out, without the need to payback the money given to them.We should take care of our own, so to speak.But remeber, I am a jerk...lol.
Regarding the emergency fund, it's a nightmare, IMO. Who takes charge of the fund? Who decides who is deserving of help, and how much, and for how long?
Even if those details could be worked out to everyone's satisfaction, I seriously doubt the contributions could keep up with the demand - especially this past year.
Best we can do is whatever we can, when we can - and in that regard, EO already works. I know of several cases where just such help was provided, because we do take care of our own.
Which is why I jumped on your statement in the first place.
if anyone wants to help my cell got shut off and the bill is now 322 dollars......jk well it is but ill be fine as soon as i get back on the road lol
...jk well it is but ill be fine as soon as i get back on the road lol