team load, solo load, any load

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
I agree there are many variables to consider. I'm not suggesting any 'written in stone' rule, just a partial rethinking of 'team' load vs 'solo' load, suggesting they are all just loads to be considered on the merits of locations and timing without artificial labels attached.

To be clearer, hopefully, I'm thinking more of a load offer received at 0900 to p/u 42 miles away by 1030 for 217 loaded miles with a decent fsc delivering by 1530 and ending in a decent area. A solo knows that's probably their entire day until the 10 hour break is over. A team could deliver that and be available by 1530 or so to get a 1700-1800 p/u going to wherever. The same team could sit in the original location until 1800 before getting a "team" load. Some money during the day vs $0 waiting.

It's possible the next load out from the shipper city could be 350-400 miles. Still not a "team" load but now a decent day for a solo instead of one that maybe just pays the payment. I realize it could all work out differently too. I also realize all the previously mentioned variables have to be considered as well.

Certainly no team has any obligation to think about if they might be helping out a solo unless they happen to own both vehicles. Conversely, they have no right to complain about being offered an available load that isn't a "team" load. There's no such thing. There are only loads. Perhaps there's a company out there that classifies loads as 'solo' and 'team' but I've never heard of them. Unless the company does then every load that a truck is qualified to carry should be offered to the truck. They all need to be covered by someone.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
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Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
I agree with what you said about there being no such thing as a solo or team load... to most companies. That's the mentality we're trying to change here. We as drivers and o/os have that distinction, and we're trying to make it clear to companies that we do consider loads to be acceptable or not to a team. It's possible, and very probable, that a team accepting solo runs (350 or less) on a consistant basis, would only make a solo truck's wages for the year.

There may be that big run at the end of the little run, but we have to look at things realistically here. Law of averages tells us it will be our only run for the day. Personally, I would rather give up a 200 miler with no run for the rest of the day, than move to another area and be behind x-amount of other trucks. Granted, turning down that 200 miler may put you at the bottom of the list, but you accepted that company's coersion tactic when you signed on the dotted line.

As I said before... nothing is set in stone. It's very likely a team will benefit from taking a solo run. Something like a StLouis to Chicago with the promise of first out... which could make you sixth out in reality. LOL

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
I believe that's the opposite. It's not the company thinking wrong by labeling jobs 'solo' or 'team', it's the operators who need to change their thinking. Again, that's not saying anything is an absolute, it's the general idea. There's no reason to think a job is any less likely to be forthcoming at 1800 in Knoxville as at 1800 in Louisville. If a run can be done finishing at 1500 in one or the other that's 240 extra paid miles for the day plus the 1800 job. I have a team that does something like that at least once a week and has the extra money in their pockets to show for it. To them every load is a team load and every load is a solo load. I'd like to have half a dozen more times running just like they are.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
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tmbm

Seasoned Expediter
I know that sometimes taking a little one leads to the big one, been there done that. I also know that refusing a little one can also lead to a big one, been there done that. Most of the time it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
Something to think about, all things equal i.e. truck size, equiptment, distance from p/u, etc, except solo or team. Now let's say there are 2 teams up first then 3 solos then 3 more teams in area XYZ. First load for day is 325 miles, p/u 10:00 first team takes. Now at noon get a 250 mile run, team 2 takes. Now we have 3 solos and 3 teams waiting, the afternoon rush hits and company gets a call for 6 runs, problem is one is 450 miles the others are all over 800. Solo driver 1 gets the 450, solo 2 & 3 get nothing, teams 3, 4, & 5 can cover three of the runs. What happens with the other 2 runs. If the company is lucky, they have two teams farther out but still close enough to make p/u on time. Otherwise they either have to not take the work or 3PL the runs. If the company had a policy that said something to the effect: if under 350 miles and solo driver in same area give to solo first, then all drivers would have had a load and company wouldn't of lost the other 2 runs.
There are many ways to look at it, and as is in most of life you have to take the good with the bad, then hope and pray for the best.
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
If I'm the company I'm going to offer loads that can deliver straight through to a solo operator first on the theory that's best utilization of resources just in case your exact scenario comes up. If the solos refuse then I'm working through the team trucks to try to avoid shifting the load to outside operators.

If I'm a team and I get the offer of 250 miles with 1000 p/u and it delivers in a good freight location I'm on the way on the theory that money in the pocket beats none. I've had enough times of waiting for that 'good' load and winding up with nothing to know in the long run I come out better rolling when I can, provided it's not a bad offer as in terrible fsc, terrible destination etc.. My team proves the same point. Maybe we just have strange results but it's what we see.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
In 2006 our average miles per run where 651 and we had 173 loads. So far this year our average miles per run are 633 and we have had 49 loads.
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
The response was made for Leo about his teams' miles compared to his miles solo. But thanx, Linda ;)

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Can't tell you till I get back to my work computer in a few days. I don't keep any of that on the home computer.

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

nightcreacher

Veteran Expediter
Hawk,I kind of agree with the team might loose a long load,but this is expedite,the average load isnt coast to coast.let me give you a senario,that I did last year,and this isnt really about short or long loads,but in whether to stay in an area with to many trucks.
I was in memphis tn,delivered on a thur. morning,there were 4 tractors there ahead of me,at 1600 no loads had gone out,I asked for relocation,of course the answer was NO,so on my own,I left for houston tx,great place for tractors to get out of.I just arrived when I was offered a load to Dallas,I didnt say no,but what I did say,after a free dead head for 500 miles.a 250 mile load wouldnt make the money I needed,but then I was told they could back that load up,right after I delivered with a load to new jersey.Lets see,500 miles to houston,250 miles to dallas 10 miles to next pick up and 1600 miles to new jersey.thats 2350 miles,total pay for these moves were a little over $4000 but this isnt what I'm bringing to this thread,the other 4 guys that were in memphis when I left,were still there when I stopped for fuel on my way to new jersey.
just remember,a bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush,while you are waiting for that great move,your company is putting on more trucks cause they cant get their loads covered
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
Night... great move on your part. If you're just standing in line which never seems to get shorter, you have to do something to help yourself. Let's just hope you aren't psychopathic and kill everyone in the line ahead of you :7

-Vampire Super Slooth Trucker!!!
 

raceman

Veteran Expediter
Leo, I think overall this is a very good post and it should certainly make people think. I will also say this turning down of loads by both team and solo that you describe and or site, is exactly what has made me a very nice living for going on three years now. That is exactly the stuff I run for Ford.

There is a lot to gain from your post if folks think through the entire process and determine how they can best manage in their business using this info.

Raceman
Dedicated O/O
OOIDA 741748
 
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