Total days out per year

[TeamCaffee]

Trends show that you need to stay out at least 255 days per year to 290 days per year to stay profitable as an owner/operator.
By mapping out the number of working days you need to succeed and planning ahead, you'll be working toward profitability instead of working to catch up.
These statements were taken from the CABS course by ATBS.


We have found that we stay out to the high side of the above numbers and have found that works well for us. I wondered though if that is the average for most people or if in the expediting world we run a little different then the other trucking segments?

 

[FIS53]

Similar here. I'm booked available over 300 days a year, but actual work of course is a few less (few not meaning 3 only). Another driver (i won't mention company) I know who worked at same place I did a few years ago, works less than 230 days a year and does even better than I do. Some how he's scoring on runs especially to Chicago and such areas. Now he did change to a smaller out fit so he has been able to get the runs that pay. I guess size does matter as same with me, less time out there freezing etc and same bucks or more (spend more time at home now).

 

[ATeam]

In 2007, we were in service 78% of the time, which equates to 285 days of being available to haul freight or actually hauling it.

If memory serves, we had one day last year where we where home, but also in service and waiting for freight. Our home express center (Minneapolis) is pretty good and we are usually quickly out when we go back in service.

From January 1, 2007 to November 30, 2007, we were in service 84% of the time. Had we maintained that percentage, it would have equated to 310 days out.

Actually, days away from home would have been greater than days equated to in service time. A good deal of time we take out of service is to rest between loads or have the truck worked on while we are out. Our days out for per diem purposes would tell us the exact number but it is not handy at the moment.

The full-year dip to 78% occured because we took the entire month of December off (except for one short run) and sat home. That was a gift we gave ourselves only after achieving our full-year financial goals. It was an expensive gift that cost us about one month of revenue.

ATBS's client base consists mostly of big rig, non-expedite owner-operators. While the number of days out may differ for expediters, the principle is the same. If you want to have a profitable business, there is a price to pay to get it. The more you sit at home, the less money you will make.

This is good information, TeamCaffee. I don't recall anyone here in the Open Forum talking about tracking the number of days out as an indicator.

On the flip side, an expediter can decide ahead of time how many days he or she wants to be home, and then exercise the discipline to achieve that AND the number of days out that remain. Go home for the reasons you plan, not just because you can.

 

[nightcreacher]

its not the days out,if your out 365 days and freight isnt moving in your area,you may as well sit at home.If I deliver to a slow area,its because the load paid enought to let me dead head to where ever I wanted to go,including home.I was gone last year 238 days from home,and did 157 loads.I did have some crazy dead heads home,but monday morning was loaded,where if I stayed where I was,might have still been sitting.also,I have a co-driver that has to be home with his family,so Im home more than most,also,we dont go out of service when home except to have fruck serviced