Starting out

[diamondusmc]

Hello All, just wondering if I could get a few qustions answered. I am looking to do expediting. I have got approval for the van and am wanting to make sure I have all that is needed. Do I just need the insurance? Do I need to get any kind of numbers or authority to drive? I have a Class A cdl with all but passenger endorsement. I was told that the vehicle has to be available for 10 hrs a day when working. Does this mean that I will be home every day. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,Dave

 

[LDB]

You will find a lot of your answers if you read through most of the threads on here. I'm still very new so take all my input as newbie to newbie and watch for the veterans to correct anything I may not have down yet.

True expediting is being on call 24/7 and running up to about 500 miles in a day (in a van with my company). If you live on one of the interstates in the main freight lanes then you may get home somewhat regularly. If you live away from the lanes then home is whenever you choose to go out of service and deadhead however far it takes.

With a van you don't need any special license unless you haul hazmat. You also don't do logbooks unless you haul hazmat. You will have the most flexibility of where to drive and stop and eat and spend your time off because the van will go anywhere. You will have the least flexibility of freight choices.

If you need to be home a lot then expediting probably isn't for you. If you can go out for 3 or 4 weeks at a time then you can potentially do quite well.

There's lots more than that but maybe that's enough to get things rolling and others will add to it. Good luck to you.


Leo
truck 767

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[Mrand Mrs]

We are still new to this too-only been in about a month and a half so not sure of everything yet but will tell you what I can. The people here are wonderful-very helpful-so keep asking the questions and someone will answer. You can find alot of help in the archives but it is sometimes confusing for us vanners because the laws are different for us. Have you decided a company to sign on with yet? This will determine most of what you need. If you run for a company, you use their operating authority and motor carrier#. Make sure they give you these numbers when you sign your contract. Always keep a copy of the numbers and your contract with you in your van. The bigger companies will require you to have a satellite unit, the smaller companies, just a cell phone. You will also need to find out what they require you to have for insurance. I think most want you to have a minimum of $750,000 liability insurance. Ask the recruiter to suggest an insurance company, the company their other drivers go through. This will save you some big headaches!! You will also need a dedicated credit card and some cash for expenses. As far as your van needing to be available for 10 hours per day-the way our company works is you're either in service and available 24/7 or out of service and not available. If my husband is in service, he takes as many loads as he can get whenever they come up. I would think though that you would have some longer runs, unless you plan just to do locals, that would be 10 hours or more of driving time just to deliver. Then you would want to stay in that area, or in the closest busy area, and wait to find another load headed toward home or somewhere else. Generally expediters are not home nightly. Hope this helps!!

 

[diamondusmc]

Hello ,thanks for the input from all who wrote. Well, one of the main reasons I wanted to sign on with the company I picked is that I could be home every night. I know most companies operate 24/7 and so do they. They said they just need to know which days I picked to work and it did not matter what hours as long as I was available for 10 hours each day I was on. So, this does sound a little more flexable that the other companies I checked out.The goal is to eventually put a driver in my van and possibly some day get another; if everything works good. And just to comment; I also think this is a great site. It's good that something like this exists to allow people in this line of work to communicate with each other on this subject. Thanks again. Dave

 

[terryandrene]

Dave:

You said you might be working for a Detroit area expedite carrier that "says" you'll be home every day. I'm suspicious and you should be also. Remember the USMC recruiter? Was he a bit careless with the truth as you experienced it? All reputable expedite carriers would have informed you about the things you asked about. i.e. insurance, vehicle authorities and markings. Ten hours a day does not an expediter make. If you are going to be an employee of the carrier, the following does not apply. If an Owner/operator then read on.

If you sit home available and the phone rings with an offer at noon (a realistic scenario), You accept a load that takes you from Dearborn to Cincinnati, about 260 miles. You pickup right away and can't deliver until the next morn at 0700. Will your carrier have freight for you, after delivery, that takes you to Metro Detroit or, will you have to deadhead empty back home to get another load?

I recommend you talk to at least a couple of this companies drivers and find out how compatible their schedules are to that which you expect for yourself. If you make the decision to work for them, get everything in writting in the form of a lease agreement. A lease agreement should specify everything the carrier expects of you and your vehicle and everything you can expect in return. Know EXACTLY when and HOW MUCH you'll be paid. Satisfy youself that the Carrier has the operating authority for every state to which you are likely to be sent. Some in Detroit do not. Check this site for local alternatives to consider: http://www.expeditecarrier.com/search/Midwest/Michigan/

The Marine Corp motto is is excellent; however the Coast Guard motto is one you should heed as you enter the wonderful world of expediting.

Semper Paratus (always prepared)

Thanks for your service, welcome home and welcome to EO

 

[diamondusmc]

Hello Terry and Rene, I really appreciate the replies. And yes, boy can the recruiters ever talk a line. Every time I hear of someone wanting to sign up, I immedidately tell them to get it in writing. Now, I have spoken with the recruiter for whom I am hoping to work for. He has told me that I pick the time the truck is available. As long as the truck is on for ten hours when available. Now, when I had previously asked a owner operator for whom I was going to drive his van, he told me that I could also pick my hours, but had to be on for eight hours when working. He stated that i could do local runs or if I preferred I could do the Ohio runs. He also said that the 8 hrs meant hours. Now, I will be going to an orientation on 11-9-04. I have told the recruiter that I needed to make sure that I was home in and around the 10 hrs. Since I do have my son to take care of. And he says yes that 10 is 10. So, I'm assuming that there are a lot of local or short runs they send you on. Hopefully, this will work good if that is the case. I guess this would not really be expediting according to the statements mad on this site, huh?. But hey, this is the kind of work I'm looking for, hopefully this will help me to be able to learn and be able to invest more money later and hire a driver or two. Once again I really appreciate yours and everyone else's input. It's great to have a means for people in this line of work to help and communicate with each other.