Switching from Panther II to Con-Way Now!

sdelliott31 · Feb 10, 2006

Hello all, first off I have spent about 3 hours longer than the original 15 minutes reading posts. What a website and forum. Lots of good people with all sorts of ideas. Very informative.

I am a cargo van owner, we have 13 of them all leased to Panther II. My dad has been with Panther for 7 years and brought me in. I am starting my second year running our vans with Panther. Overall I feel Panther is a good company, but lacking in the working well with others department. I have learned some good and some bad while being with them. I was contacted recently by Con-way Now, about putting some or all of my vans on with them. They seem from what I have read and spoken to them about, a solid company, but probably like all of the bigger ones, they will have their good and bad. Noticing that one doesn't stand out from the crowd, makes me think that unless there is a serious problem with the company you are with, then you should just ride out the slow times. We have a .85 contract and other than not caring for some people there and their attitudes, and the fact that we are charged fees on our vans when they are without a driver, yet Panther is not offering orientation, leaving us without a way to put a driver in the van, are my only real complaints.

Honestly, I'm looking for any feedback in general about these companies, switching, slow times, companies with too many vans ect.

Thanks for having me.

Steve

LDB · Feb 10, 2006

I've never run vans so I can only comment based on conversations with van drivers as well as postings here. My impression is the general consensus is an overabundance of vans with all carriers. I don't know van rates very many places but if you are getting 85cpm plus fsc and accessorials that may be a good contract to stay with. Both companies you mentioned are on my short list and I have a truck running with P2. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

davekc · Feb 11, 2006

I think they are sending a big hint. They are not adding vans at this time. There is little point as van freight this time of year is very limited and cheap.
It is what it is. Too many from all the companies drives down the rate and results in many sitting for extended periods of time.
Panther like several other carriers have put a stop on adding vans.
They as others should be applauded for not continuing to add vans when they know in advance you will go broke.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

sdelliott31 · Feb 11, 2006

Thanks for the insight. I have made some good relationships and contacts with Panther and overall am pleased with how things are going. However I feel you don't learn unless you ask, so thanks for the responses. I do agree that it is good to put stops on adding vehicles so the o/o don't starve to death out there. I am just curious how you feel about still be charged a fee for a van that you don't have a driver for, when they don't have an orientation. I guess what I am saying is, I think too that it is good to put a driver or van freeze on, no question, but I think for owners with vans that there are no drivers for, then during that time they ought to put a hold on the fees they are charging for the vans as well. I still have a lot to learn, but I enjoy the business.

LDB · Feb 11, 2006

With 13 vans signed on you should be able to get things like QC and insurance put on standby while the vans are idle. I do think companies take advantage of deductions from vehicle owners but that's just how it is and nothing can be done about it.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
-----
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

davekc · Feb 11, 2006

It is a hassle but I would go to the nearest QC dealer and have them remove it and ship it back. Panther I believe cancels your contract after 30 days of not being in service. I would check, but that use to be the policy.
No point in paying for a QC that isn't being used.

Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator

terryandrene · Feb 12, 2006

Since you ask.

I am a single van owner operator and have no experience operating an armada of vans, nor hands-on experience with PantherII operations; those are my qualification to comment on Steve's post, but I'll do so anyway.

I believe at the level you you are operating as an expediter, the typical person would best be served by diversification of resources. I think at the 5-6 truck level of ownership, an owner would be comfortable with the management of the personnel and equipment of the business. When expanding the business beyond this point, it would seem beneficial to lease the next 5-6 trucks with a different expedite carrier, and continue in this manner until the fleet size reaches your goal. Having dozens of trucks with one carrier would seem analogous to having but one stock in your financial portfolio

Expediting business levels are cyclical in nature, but each carrier has different business models; therefore each carrier rides a slightly different curve. Some are busier while others are in a slack period. A fleet owner needn't ride the curve extremes with trucks on with different carriers. In addition, The diversified fleet owner would have the benefit of a relationship with more than one recruiting department to help select good drivers looking for a ride. As the carriers adjust their truck numbers to accommodate business, so could the fleet owner adjust his numbers with different carriers to maximize his revenue.