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team utilized?

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Twizted1

Seasoned Expediter
I have been a solo driver for 3 yrs and have done decent with the large carrier I'am leased on with for the most part.I decided to kick it up a notch and got my girlfriend on board as a team driver.We both have class c cdl with haz mat and drive a cargo van.As a solo driver i did around 1200-2500 a week depending on how many times i was swaped out over the course of the week.The sad truth now is as a team we can barely muster a 2000 week.Load offer 1 dh 40 miles to pickup a 140,load offer 2 dh 80 to pickup 189.Keep in mind I do know that sometimes these loads can reposition you in a better area etc.But wasnt the case with these offers lately.If I do one of these loads thats it for the day it seems,and after fuel etc 25.00 a piece isnt going to cut it.I know not every run is going to be a 1000 miler etc.I just cant understand why my carrier doesnt utilize me.My acceptance rate was in the 90's,untill recently(70's),on time 100,saftey100,and in service90.
(there is another issue with the #s but thats another post)
I have talked to other expedite drivers who retired and would like to be more local and dont like driving at nite.Why not give these loads to them?There are plenty of drivers who would be happy to take these loads so they can be home etc.Maybee the carriers could identify these individuals and make it easier on them and everyone else?Instead of sending load after load to trucks that are not going to take it because there is no profit in it for them.:mad:
I would just like to know if other teams are having this issue with load offers lately?
 
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GUNSLINGER

GUNSLINGER

Expert Expediter
Are you sure you show as a team in whatever system your company uses? Sounds like you may still be showing as a single.
 
butterfly610

butterfly610

Veteran Expediter
I know that teams in straight trucks don't run the same amount of miles as big truck drivers do for regular companies that aren't expedite. We just make pretty much the same amount for running half the miles. (we aren't owners, so we don't make more.) Some weeks you make more, some less, but I guess if you don't make any money....it's probably not going to help you right? Don't let the numbers eat at you. I think the really important ones are on-time and safety.

One way to look at those short trips...is if there are lots of other vans around, does the load get you away from them and into a better area? If so, it might be wisest to just take that load. I try and pay attention to where the load is going and my chances of getting out, versus just the amount of miles it is. Hope this helps, it has helped us a lot.
 
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ericmoss37

Seasoned Expediter
The fact that your slow has nothing to do with being a team. They are moving less freight this year thats all. Loads were down in July according to ATA. Now cargo vans are hit harder because they can't fit 90% of the stuff in expedite. I think your real problem is that your in a cargo van instead of a straight truck.
 
x06col

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
Sounds to me like the "system" first in/first out that everyone thinks is so precious has gotca. Can you imagine the bs the dispatchers would hear if'n they'd pass over 4 or 5 folks and just offer that 200 miler to someone that would actually run it?? Can't happen.

Ya gotta understand (but prolly never will be exposed) to the things those folks (dispatchers) see and experience on a daily basis. Could they make the world better for ya? Yes! Will they?? Prolly not! Their hands are tied by the winers. An, it just ain't worth it.
 
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blizzard2014

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Panther is a good company; don't get me wrong. But from my understanding, panther does not always utilize teams effectively. I think Panther goes by who is up next on the load board, as opposed to who is capable of delivering the load. If a solo driver is up next on the board, he will get a long load, if a long load needs to be covered at that time. Or if a team truck is next in line, and an 89 mile run pops up, the team will get offered that run. It doesn't get any more complicated than that. This is because panther is "huge" and they have so many vans sitting all over the country (as well a an infinite number of cross-dock locations at their disposal). They can effectively put that load on any truck, at any time, and just deal with the who and what after the load is already moving.
 
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