Vacations /When?/ How often?/

JoePetro · Nov 21, 2004

I posted a similar question in the recruiter forum but would like to hear from you the drivers and O/O's. How much time off in the form of vacation time do you take a year? I am trying to get a feel for how vacation time works in this industry. My wife and I are looking at Expediting as a second career (both mid fifties). While we are no strangers to long hours and hard work, we hope to able to take 90 days off a year in two and three week increments at different times of the year. I am sure there are many out there that work 48+ weeks a year and many that work less. I welcome any response on how you handle your vacation time and how much you take a year.
We expect to work for an O/O first, then if we are happy with the life, buy a rig and become O/O's ourselves.

Thanks to all who participate in this site as it is very interesting and informative.

JOE-PETRO IMIUBU
'it's a bad day when you don't learn something new.'

LDB · Nov 21, 2004

From what I hear you have very slow times from about 12/20 through 1/1 as well as the first couple of weeks of July. The entire first quarter is slower than the rest of the year too. The time around xmas is slower because of the holidays and the first 2 weeks of July because the auto plants are doing model year changeout. That's just what I've heard. I haven't been through either of those times yet. Hope that helps a little bit. Good luck to you.

Leo
truck 767

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

Glen Rice · Nov 21, 2004

Years ago it was easier to schedule vacation time as we were all Automotive freight driven. Then we all took at least 2 to 3 weeks in July and January was a given to be slow and February was about the same. Well folks times have changed and all year has been a good year. The advice I would give, would be to take off the time the first weeks of the month and not the end of the month as those are notoriously busy. The other time is of course days before Christmas thru the 3rd or 4th of January. Good luck and hope your future is bright in expediting. It is a wonderful way to make a great living and be on a mini vaction of sorts every week. Drive safe and be profitable!

redytrk · Nov 21, 2004

I look at the months when revenue is lowest.
IE.#12Dec#...#11Feb...#10Jul...#9May...#8Jan...#7Apr...#6Nov...#5Mar...#4Jun...#3Sept...#2 Oct...#1Aug.
These are of course from my own figures.Yours may vary.

RichM · Nov 21, 2004

As I said on the other forum,a lot will depend on the O/O you want to work for.Remember he/she has fixed costs that go on every month whether you run 1 mile or 10,000,so the O/O may want you to be in service more than you wish too..Work it out up front and get it in writing.

ATeam · Nov 25, 2004

My wife and I seldom take time off and seldom go home. Yet we often say that every day feels like a weekend in expediting. It's a whole new world compared to the white collar professions we gave up to become expediters. We've found ample time to relax and take in the sights between loads and love that recreational aspect of the job.

I've met expediters that stay out for three or four weeks and go home for one. Exactly when they go home is usually determined by how close to home they happen to be when week three or four rolls around.

I've met expediters that stay out for three or four months and go home for one, again deciding exactly when to go home by the distance from home when month three or four rolls around.

I've met expediters that go to the truck show in Louisville in March to get themselves back in the spirit. They then stay out until Christmas and sit out most of the winter.

I've met expediters that have a fixed schedule regarding home. No matter where they are in the country, they deadhead home to get home for their planned dates.

All of the above expediters are succeeding in the business as far as I know. They've been at it for years and will likely continue to be for years to come.

At the same time, a whole lot of expediters have failed trying to maintain one or more of the above strategies. Figure out when you want to take your vacation time and build it into your business plan. Then make sure the rest of your plan is up to snuff so you'll be among the winners.

Doggie Daddy · Nov 29, 2004

joe i won't go into when is the best time to take off, just about the amount of time that you want to take. my carrier(FECC)would like us to be at around 70% availability. at that rate,that would mean 109.5 days off per year. i would think most carriers and fleet owners would be happy if you were at the 70% available rate. hope this helps. DD.

Dreamer · Nov 29, 2004

One thing I would do, is make a list of the days you "HAVE" to be home.. only you can decide that. That's part of the freedom you have with Expediting instead of regular OTR.

Examples: Medical appts, Holidays you refuse to run on, family events such as birthdays, weddings, graduations, etc, then factor the rest from there to get a ballpark figure of how many days you wanna plan on.

One thing to consider too, especially if you live in the midwest... many weeks, you will not need to take yourself out of service, to get a day off at home. You go home, and unless you have definate plans that can't be interrupted, leave yourself in service. I can't tell you how many times I was called on the weekend to pick up.. and many of those didnt' deliver til Monday. So.. I had a run on, and got my day at home too. Once you get into this, if you're truly 'bit by the bug' as it were... you may find a week at home is too much... you get home.. and you start thinkin how many good runs you're missin..LOL.

The biggest thing is to be flexible, and run when it's hot.. too many drivers get caught in that run Monday thru Friday, GOTTA be home on Saturday. You can still get your days off if you run when it's hot, then rest. I think a single driver should at least run...7 to 10 days out.. home 2.. but be flexible. Freights been hoppin all week, you're 700 miles from home, stay out... run...(don't deadhead from NJ to Florida.. heh heh..

)

Get a run to your home state during the week? Why layover in a truckstop a couple hours from home? Go sleep in your bed, but stay in service. That's just my take on it.

After all, it's not like it was way back the first time I drove.. LOL.. you dont' get a penalty for goin home (can I get an Amen somewhere!!! LOL)

Dreamer