theoldprof
Veteran Expediter
I am a retired van expediter O/O. Although I was never a top money maker, I tried to keep my operation as efficient as possible. Here are some ideas you may or may not want to use. Starting with the outside of the van. I had spare light bulbs and the tools I needed to change the bulbs in a plastic box easily accessible. I had spare wiper blades in the passenger door pocket. Know how to change the bulbs and wiper blades. Don't think you know how, KNOW HOW. I made a practice tail light changing run in my drive at home. Know how to change a flat tire. Do you know where the lift points on the truck are located? Can you get the jack out of the van if loaded? Do you know how to lower the spare tire from it's rack? If you wear glasses, do you have a spare pair handy? Not handy like in the glove box, but handy like on the dash or visor. You will never knock your glasses off your nose while parked. It will always happen on a dark mountain road. (Murphy's Law) I kept my registration, insurance papers, permits, and the rest of the "legal" stuff in a briefcase by the passenger seat. My PRO bills were stored in a plastic hanging file box on the van floor. The PRO bill went from there to a clip board. After the delivery, a copy was sent to the Big Kitty with the supporting paperwork and the final copy was put in another folder. When I went home, the folder came into the house where I reconciled my PRO bill with my statement. Then It was filed away along with the supporting paperwork. I used the Trip Pak envelopes to file my papers at home. (I can hear the Big Kitty roaring over that one) I kept my Contractors Manual in the file box in the truck, also. My Canadian paperwork was in the truck file cabinet. It was kept in folders labeled "To Canada", From Canada, and Through Canada. Important Hint: When going into Canada you get your papers stamped. I stopped as soon as I got across the border in Canada and had a copy made. That stamped copy never left the truck at the cons. The stamped copy could get mixed up and left at the cons. I carried a spare truck key in my wallet and also my pocket. Since a van operator will sleep in the van in weather from way below zero to upwards of 100 degrees, that is what the temp of your "bedroom" will be. I had seven blankets of various weights, a sleeping bag, a toboggin, and sweat shirt and sweat pants jammies. I could layer my blankies according to the temp. I drew a stripe down the middle of the blankets from nose to toes with shoe dye. This stripe helped me align the blankets on the bunk in limited space. I had a roof vent with a fan that I ran all the time when sleeping. The fan made just enough noise to help drown out the sounds of idling engines, loud car stereos, yelling, gun shots, etc. I had enough load straps to hog tie a battle ship. I had a twenty ft length of chain and a tow strap. Either great for dragging loads out of a van. I carried Windex, paper towels and baby butt wipes. Great for a quick clean up of my hands or whatever. Most importantly, I carried my Old Prof's Preferred Patented Pee Pipe. Don't leave home without it. Anyhoo, none of this info will make you any more money, but it might make your life less stressfull. On the road you guys can use all the stress relief you can get.
