Thinking about expediting.

[Ladytrucker1950]

I would love to hear some pros and cons on expediting. I have been driving for about 5 years. Some company, some as O/O. No longer have a truck but would consider buying one again. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. All my driving up to now has been pulling 53's. Tired of the docks people think we should be able to get into.

 

[DannyD]

>I would love to hear some pros and cons on expediting. I
>have been driving for about 5 years. Some company, some as
>O/O. No longer have a truck but would consider buying one
>again. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. All my
>driving up to now has been pulling 53's. Tired of the docks
>people think we should be able to get into.


I can only speak for the vans as that's what I drive.

Pros:
1) You aren't under forced dispatch. The flip side of this is if ya turn down to many they're going to quit calling ya.

2) Taxes, or lack of them. I made almost 40K last year & didn't pay a dime due to deductions.

3) If you do this right, you're more running a business. Again there's a flip side in that if ya do this wrong you're going to go broke. Know what you want out of this & plan accordingly.

4) Ya get to see the country. As a truck driver I'm sure you're aware of that already. Plus I should add that in my case seeing the country got a lil old & I kinda wanted to see a bit more of my own house. =)

5) Depending on what company you're w/ there's no boss over your shoulder. There's a sense of freedom ya won't get in a regular job.

6) First in line to get unloaded in many cases. I can't tell ya how many times there's a long line of trucks & some stinkin 4 wheeler (me) zips right to the front of line to unload. I don't have a CB anymore, but I can remember the comments about that 4 wheeler gettin cuts & odds are they prolly haven't changed much. =)

7) I think, but am not sure, that ya can make more money at this than at trucking. That doesn't mean you'll make a fortune, but I would think on average that an expediter makes more than a trucker. Not sure where to look this up, but ya may wanna find a place to do so to doublecheck.

Cons:
1) I think the bigger trucks are a bit more consistant but this industry can be feast or famine. Make SURE to put aside funds for when it's not so busy. This can be turned into a positive if ya save some money. You'll know when the down times are & can take a vacation or what have ya.

2) You'll need a certain amount of cash reserves to get started. This isn't so much a negative as it's wise to have cash reserves no matter what you're doing in life. Just didn't want to place it under one of the "pros" of this industry.

3) No set hours. Again this is a matter of perspective. Some people love it & others not so much. It's tough to make appointments for things though if ya no idea if you'll be home or halfway across the country.

4) The waiting can be for extremely long periods of times in between loads. Waits of a few days aren't uncommon & you aren't making anything while waiting. This is where company choice is so important. I can't really recommend a company for ya as what would be a great company for Person A might be a lousy fit for Person B & vice verca.

Whatever ya decide to do, good luck to ya.

Take care,
Danny

 

[nightcreacher]

lady
since you were already an owner opp,you already know about expense comming off your gross income so not going there
us in the expedited business are some of the best paid owners in the industry
if you have that so called white line fever,you need to run run run,then expedite isnt for you.
yes we have to go go go when we are under load,and that load pays us very well to do,but then after you deliver,you might sit,day or two til next load,and when week is done,you will laugh all the way to the bank
EXCEPTION,if you plan on doing expedite as a single driver, instead of team,income is much less,as teams usually get priority, as most loads have straight thru delivery times
hope this gives you some idea

steve gilbert
ooida 263839
fed ex cc since 1984
E6613

 

[Ladytrucker1950]

Thanks Steve, I guess what I'm really wondering is if it would pay to sign on with a fleet owner. Do they have forced dispatch when you do that? Do they give you credit for being able to think and make an intelligent decision? I have a perfect driving record, never had a ticket in my life. Never had a wreck of any kind. 100% on time and I like to run hard. BUT. I'm getting older,can't run as many days hard like I used to. Always spent more time in the truck than in truckstops. Maybe ate once a week out of the truck. Had a frig and microwave. Don't like spending money. I could make money for somebody if I got the miles. I don't even know what is a good week in expediting. 2500? Thats an average week for big truck. Lots I don't know yet but learning all I can from this site. Seem to be really nice people here. Thanks alot for your time. Forgot to mention I have 2 tiny trucker dogs. Does that pose a problem in expediting?

 

[darkunicorn]

Yes and no income is less as a solo! If you’re a team and all income goes to one house hold yes income is more if you’re a team and you have to pay a driver or split income is less have done both ways plus more miles more ware and tare it’s a fine line any way you look at it. Plus all that time in a small space you really have to like the person your living with on the road its one thing to be running constant in long hall then home and go separate ways but in the expedite you have down time on the road resets on the road etc. have even had husband wife teams tell me the sleeper gets small LOL
Alvin

 

[darkunicorn]

Signing on with a owner is probably a good idea to learn if you like expediting or not. Each owner and company is different though guess trail and err or maybe pickup some advice on here I my self jumped in both feet didn’t know about this place till been at it a long time. No one told me you could drive for some one either course being from Iowa wasn’t much opportunity for some one to let me either it’s a bit out of the expedite hot spots. Dogs can be a problem as can be riders at some customers and Canada.
oh yeah not impossible to get in to expediting and not go to Canada but its hard most company’s have enough people that wont or cant go to Canada so starting new if you don’t want to go might be a problem. Sign up for getting fast approved most expedite require it and it takes a while to get that.

 

[nightcreacher]

lady,if you really wnt to find out about expediting,find an owner to run with,dont find owner that wants you to run with another driver,but owner that will take you as co-driver
If he's a successful owner opp you will then learn the business,and might even put you in your own truck
there is no greater job in trucking than expedite,most of our customers are glad to see us,and in most cases get very little hassle

ooida 263839
Fed Ex C C
E6613
steve gilbert