straight truck expediting.

[truckrnnr]

I have been in the business working for the same company for almost 10 years. (paid hourly,and home 9 out of 10 nights)
I did alot of research on trucks and companies and decided to buy a expediter straight truck and lease on. (i have been driving trucks my entire career,but always in someone elses truck)

The situation I'm now faced with is that I'm being stranded for days (sometimes 3-4 days at a time) with no loads. I feel the company may be taking advantage of me.(wanting a truck in a certain BAD area just in case,while in the mean time,I'm losing my a_s!)

Where are the areas to stay away from?

I'll get a high dollar load into an area and think it's great,just to find out that the only load back out is a 250 mile dead head to pick up a 150 mile paid load.

I paid cash for my truck (depleated my savings) so I have no loan payment.My insurance payments are reasonable.
It just seems like I can't make a buck.
I have had 3 terrible weeks in a row now,and that means there will be no money coming in until after new years,and thats only if thing get better soon.

Can any of you people who have been at this a while PLEASE help me out with tips,advise or anything that can help me? I feel as though the end is near for me in this industry if I don't get help soon.


Thank You.

 

[jaminjim]

Sorry but you need to supply more info, saying you have a truck and that your stranded is not enough.

Where are you based out of? Who are you signed on with? What type of truck do you have?

 

[jaminjim]

One way to help you ot take a load to a dead area is to think what you would buy from that area. If your answer is cows or fertilizer pass on that load.

 

[truckrnnr]

OK, A little more info (sorry,I'm new at the on line thing)

I live in wester,PA. I have a 2000 Freightline FL-106, 4 cyl detroit,9 spd. 24 ft. box,33,000 GVW,72 in. sleeper. I'm leased on with Tri State Expedited out of Toledo Ohio.

I have only averaged around 15-16 hundred dollars a week since i started,and have been eaten alive with fees such as escrow payments,QC rentals,and of course fuel deductions and then there is the com data fees. Actual money coming to the truck has been averaging around 5 hundred dollars a week,and tolls and taxes taken from that put me so far below minimum wage that it's scary!

I know things will get better,and I didn't get into this on a spur of the moment decision,This is what I want to do.

I'm simply looking for some "GOOD" advise on how to operate my business,such as what areas are bad to get loads out of,and things along that line.

I do not frequent truck stops for anything other than fuel,I do not spend money friviously. I buy groceries and prepare meals in the truck in an effort to keep costs down.
Does anyone have some helpful advise?
Thank You,
Rob in PA.

 

[LDB]

What company are you leased to? Is this a company you drove for previously? Do you know any others driving for the company with enough tenure to know the good and bad spots? How long have you been with them? How many companies were on your final cut list before joining this one?

For anyone reading this, and for you in case you change companies, you should research every company you are considering in depth, at least by reading back a year minimum on these forums in the general, newbies and recruiter sections. Once you've narrowed your choices down to the top 3 then try to talk to those contractors whenever you see them.

There are scores and scores of companies in this industry. The major players have the customer base to theoretically keep you busy. The medium players have the more personal atmosphere that many like while still being big enough to at least reduce deadhead. The small companies have the family atmosphere and sometimes the looser regulation some like but smaller customer bases can mean more deadhead. In each category there are a handful or two that stand out. You can learn which by reading back the year in here. The standouts will stand out in that much time.

Good luck to you.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[jaminjim]

Start a notebook, in the book should be your load info. You should state in the book how long you have waited in an area to get a load. Start going to the truckstops and talking to other expedite drivers, not just from your compny and see where they say the dead areas are, and where the good areas are.

Stay east of the Big Muddy, and north of Atlanta.

 

[ATeam]

This is a really good post for people to read who are considering a career change into the expediting industry. Note that while the author paid cash for his truck, and is thereby free of truck payments, he is still expressing concern about his revenue, expenses, and future in the industry. The more you prepare before you enter the industry, the better your chances of success will be.

truckrnnr, I don't know how people are at your carrier's office, but have you turned to them for help? People there know where the best freight areas are. I think it is fair to say they would like to see you succeed. Does your carrier have people you can turn to for information? People there, or here on EO, may know successful drivers with your carrier that would be willing to talk with you. A few calls to people you know at your carrier might produce the coaching and/or information you seek.

 

[Broompilot]

Phils info is right on.

C & M helped me make a great living for a couple of years. 800 953 0802 ask for Mike. It may be slower now but a paid for Truck and someone willing to stay out = $.

 

[TeamCaffee]

I also would suggest you contact your company and ask if they would talk to a solo O/O that is doing well. Have them ask that driver if they would be willing to be a mentor to you.

We have found that other drivers view points are the most beneficial to learn the tricks of the trade. Then I would also try to find someone within the company that would also be a mentor to you on what areas are good for freight or even tips to having enough hours to run.

Good Luck

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Truckrnnr, not every place is good, as you've found out. But don't discount the "cattle and corn" areas. IA, NE, and KS can all be decent areas to get freight. Population centers are usually where to go, but not always. Also, it depends on where your company's customers are. In your case, Tri-state may not be good in New England (hypothetical here), but FXCC does great there. Your best bet is to follow TeamCaffee's advice and find a successful solo with Tri-state, and make it a point to ask questions. Also, I'm sure there are some Tri-state drivers here who would be glad to help.

Good luck!

-A bore is a person who opens his mouth and puts his feats in it. - Henry Ford

 

[redytrk]

Rob in PA.
Sorry to tell you, you started at the worst possible time of the year. Most of us are just in a "Survival"mode until business picks up again in the spring.

 

[Pruittplum]

Tri-State good areas, East Coast (good), Minneappolis, MN (fair, usually load with-in 24 hrs. Wisconsin (fair), Indiana (good), KY (fair) Oklahoma (below fair) Texas (below fair) MO (below fair) Kansas (dead) Iowa (dead) Utah (dead) Nevada (dead) Alabama (below fair) Arkansas (fair) N. & S. Carolina ( good) N. and S Dakota (dead) Wyoming (dead) Oregan (don't even think of it) Washington state (no way) Arizonia (a little below fair) Louisiana (dead) Georgia (good) Florida (dead) Michigan (good) Ohio (good) Tennessee (good) Illinois (good).
This will give you a general Idea, hope it helps.