I am starting Monday driving a cargo van for an O/O with Panther. I am a newbie and need suggestions on what to take with me. I will pick up my van at orientation and hit the road from there on Tuesday evening. My deal with the O/O is 70/30, I pay fuel, tolls and a weekly insurance deduction of 15.00 and a weekly fee for Qualcom. I keep all DH, EM, Dry runs & fuel surcharges. Does this amount to much? O/O told me that I need a nationwide cell phone with 2000 minutes minimum. Does Panther have a toll free number for dispatch? Where will most of my telephone expense come from? My current cell phone company T-Mobile wants to charge me 79.99 for 1500 minutes or 99.99 for 2500. Also required to Fedex invoices to Panther weekly, is this usually with pre-paid airbills? All comments and advice will be appreciated. I live near Atlanta. O/O says most runs are E. of Miss. What questions should I be asking my O/O? I will keep a record of my experience to share with other newbies considering Panther and driving for an O/O. Should I be aware of any safety and security concerns? This is a whole new lifestyle for me so please share any advice. Also I have to wait 3 weeks for first paycheck, is this normal with Panther? Thanks
Starting Monday with Panther
- Thread starter dawgtown
- Start date
miguy1957
Expert Expediter
You will only need what ever cell phone min. you think you will need for personal needs and maybe a few to dispatch Panther has an 800 number to dispatch. And panther has trip pak for your paper work at no cost to you. You will be running mostly anywhere east of the missippi river. I hope this helps you
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Evia live
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Evia live
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Welcome Driver, I hope you enjoy the Expediting World. It's a whole new life style. You will see a lot of things and places that you normally would not get to see. As far as what to take with you. As little as possible and yet enough to keep you comfortable. Does you van have a Sleeper? You will need bedding of some kind. Creature comforts have to be on the some what small side,Take time to read some of the posts and look at what a lot of van owners have in there vans. Good luck and Be Profitable. Drive Safely the Life you Save may be Mine..Butch
> O/O told
>me that I need a nationwide cell phone with 2000 minutes
>minimum.
My guess is that this O/O is going to be calling you all the time.I am sure a lot of this is necessary because of his investment.It can however be a pain when you need your sleep.
>me that I need a nationwide cell phone with 2000 minutes
>minimum.
My guess is that this O/O is going to be calling you all the time.I am sure a lot of this is necessary because of his investment.It can however be a pain when you need your sleep.
I can't imagine 2000 minutes. That's 90 minutes a day minimum and in some months more than that. You should rarely be talking to dispatch on the phone since they use Qualcomm. Maybe 200 minutes a month if even that. I can't imagine the owner talking to you more than maybe 10 minutes a day as an average. Then again, I've never been an owner with a driver so maybe there's lots more sports and weather to bs about than I imagine. The rest would be personal use plus however much the owner is going to be calling you. You would also have unlimited nights/weekends so all of your plan minutes would be Mon-Fri. minutes. Anyway, good luck to you and keep us posted how things are going with Panther.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
DocRushing
Expert Expediter
The average minutes per day (for 2,000 minutes per month) runs from 65 (in a 31-day month) to 71 (in a normal 28-day February).
That's still a lot of air time.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Doc.
That's still a lot of air time.
Happy New Year to everyone!
Doc.
>The average minutes per day (for 2,000 minutes per month)
>runs from 65 (in a 31-day month) to 71 (in a normal 28-day
>February).
>That's still a lot of air time.
>Happy New Year to everyone!
>Doc.
That would be correct if you were dividing them over every day however there is no plan with that many minutes that doesn't include unlimited nights and weekends. That leaves only Monday through Friday to divide the minutes and gives the 90 a day I indicated.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
>runs from 65 (in a 31-day month) to 71 (in a normal 28-day
>February).
>That's still a lot of air time.
>Happy New Year to everyone!
>Doc.
That would be correct if you were dividing them over every day however there is no plan with that many minutes that doesn't include unlimited nights and weekends. That leaves only Monday through Friday to divide the minutes and gives the 90 a day I indicated.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
DocRushing
Expert Expediter
Leo:
Marda (Special K) has pointed out to me that the cellphone plans nowadays typically do indeed provide free time on nights and weekdnds.
(She has been my cellphone expert.)
I concede that point.
By the way, Leo, how are things with you and your Acterra?
Do you still feel pleased with it?
Did you get a good repair to the right door, fender, etc.?
Did anyone ever give you a good explanation of what caused the problem?
Best wishes for the New Year,
Doc.
Marda (Special K) has pointed out to me that the cellphone plans nowadays typically do indeed provide free time on nights and weekdnds.
(She has been my cellphone expert.)
I concede that point.
By the way, Leo, how are things with you and your Acterra?
Do you still feel pleased with it?
Did you get a good repair to the right door, fender, etc.?
Did anyone ever give you a good explanation of what caused the problem?
Best wishes for the New Year,
Doc.
I still haven't gotten the fender fixed. I haven't had a chance to let them have it for long enough. I still really like it however my fuel mpg is down at around 9mpg overall now versus 10mpg overall the first several thousand miles after I got it. I had it looked at and they put in a couple of new seals but it still seems lower than it should be. If/when I get sent near Troy, IL I'm going to take it to that dealer to have it looked at. I've heard they are really good.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Thanks for all the info and advice. I've got a lot to learn and this forum has been so helpful. I thought I was going to have to take a 22 hour bus ride from GA to orientation but fortunately my fleet owner is in GA for the weekend and has offered to give me a ride to Ohio. He lives near Panther. He has family less than 100 miles south of my home. My goal is to enjoy my job, see some places and maybe even make a little profit. I think that Panther is probably the best place I can be in a cargo van for a fleet owner. The 70/30 split sounds good if the miles are there. Please keep the advice coming. I will be checking the forum until Sunday AM. I'm still not convinced that there is a safe way to stay warm cheaply in a cargo van. I like the extension cord idea if I can find someone willing to let me plug in. I've always heard that "it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission" but I wouldn't want to ask a Judge to forgive me. I wish we had a network of expeditors across the country who would be willing to provide some amenities to other expeditors passing through like a shower or electrical outlet, etc. Kinda like the RV folks "Good Sam" club etc. That might cause some problems though, I don't think I would want my wife to open the door to just any expeditor passing through. In a perfect world maybe...
Worst case scenario on plugging in might be stopping at campgrounds. I have no idea what they charge now but imagine it's much cheaper than motels. It would give you a spot with electricity and water hookups. The biggest problem with asking forgiveness is I think at least in some places it's considered "theft of services" to plug in without permission and probably does lead to that judge we all want to avoid. Good luck to you.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo
truck 767
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
This is true. I would never use anyones utilities without permission. There are many kind folks who would allow you to plug in a small heater if you asked. I was in law enforcement 20 years and could probably plug in at a few sheriff's precincts. I think a very small electric heater would be very effective. The campground idea sounds good especially considering they usually have showers too.
Ask the fleet owner what mobile phone service they have . Many services have free mobile to mobile and if you use the same service you wouldn't need so many minutes . One negative to a van is you don't buy enough fuel at one stop to earn free showers ( 50 to 100 gallons depending on company ) Inquire at the stops and see if they will accept two or more receipts equalling that amount for a free shower . You can save money on fuel by joining the OOIDA and getting a Truckers Advantage fuel card . Campgrounds are really getting expensive . In some areas you'd be better off at a low priced Motel but a Woodall's guide will let you know where campgrounds are .
a little off topic but worth repeating here. Free showers are available for a van driver at Flying J. Get a Frequent Fueler card and use it when buying fuel or gasoline. 20.0 gallons earns 1/2 shower and beverage credit. Fuel twice within seven days and earn a shower and a coffee/coke. Have a frequent fuler card for your co-driver linked to your card and you each get a shower/coke for each 20 gal X two fill-up. Many Pilots will give a shower after a fill-up just for the asking, particularly when it's not busy. Petro is now $9.00 for a shower. T/A is $8.00 but co-driver also gets a free shower by asking at the fuel desk.
The phone,keeping warm,freight lanes,will come with time.You will get alot of good ideas [already have] and some will work for you and some won't.I think your relationship or agreement with your o/o will be the most important point to address.I hope you have your agreement in writing,if not don't leave your house without getting it in writing.I don't care if it's your mother,if your 1000 miles away and you have a problem you need to be looking at the same contract.You mentioned paying for the QC did he or she say how much that is? i don't know which contract your owner has the van under,i pay 35$ per week.Your deal doesn't sound bad just complicated,but i am easily confused.Since your paying fuel i would assume you get the fuel sur charge,i would say 95% of panthers loads have a sur charge with them,don't you assume check this out with the owner and get it in writing.
>Worst case scenario on plugging in might be stopping at
>campgrounds. I have no idea what they charge now but imagine
>it's much cheaper than motels. It would give you a spot with
>electricity and water hookups. The biggest problem with
>asking forgiveness is I think at least in some places it's
>considered "theft of services" to plug in without permission
>and probably does lead to that judge we all want to avoid.
>Good luck to you.
>
>Leo
>truck 767
>
>Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you
>like.
I recently parked my "C"unit at Georgia state campgrounds.(Cloudland atop Lookout Mountian).They welcomed my Truck and clasified it as a motorhome.Electric hookups were provided,A shower was nearby.The cost was about $20.00 per night.If staying at a camgroungs you should ask if exit gates are open all night.For some strange reason some are not.
>campgrounds. I have no idea what they charge now but imagine
>it's much cheaper than motels. It would give you a spot with
>electricity and water hookups. The biggest problem with
>asking forgiveness is I think at least in some places it's
>considered "theft of services" to plug in without permission
>and probably does lead to that judge we all want to avoid.
>Good luck to you.
>
>Leo
>truck 767
>
>Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you
>like.
I recently parked my "C"unit at Georgia state campgrounds.(Cloudland atop Lookout Mountian).They welcomed my Truck and clasified it as a motorhome.Electric hookups were provided,A shower was nearby.The cost was about $20.00 per night.If staying at a camgroungs you should ask if exit gates are open all night.For some strange reason some are not.