rfrogger120
Expert Expediter
what is the longest time, anyone ever sat waiting for a load and where were they sitting?
waiting for loads
- Thread starter rfrogger120
- Start date
>what is the longest time, anyone ever sat waiting for a load
>and where were they sitting?
Just by reading your replies, you can see the importance and all the more reason for driving as a TOTALLY self employed independent Owner Operator; in TOTAL control of your business direction. I wouldn't want to rely one a single source of income to stay alive in this industry. The carriers certainly don't have 1 single customer.
Course, making you wait costs them nothing, its for free, while it costs you money to eat, idle the motor for ac or heat, and your TIME is money. That is why O.O.'s should look at getting their own operating authority, and not have to depend one someone else for loads. The internet is full of load boards. Join OOIDA, they help in getting your own authority.
Waiting a week to get a load from a captive carrier that demands that you wait for them to locate a load for you, and taking a hefty percentage skimmed off the top....does not have your best business interests at heart.
1 week without pay, and costing you money to sit there; you can make money money at a burger joint...
How much does your truck cost in payments and insurance, and idling fuel or motel costs to sit and wait??? How much do you value your time on a per hour basis? Deduct that amount from the next load that carrier throws your way. Breaking even? Delivering for free or out of your pocket?
Since it usually is YOUR truck, and you are not under legal dispatch transporting loads therefire not using that carriers operating authority or insurance rather "bobtailing" or non truck liability coverage (which you usually pay); I personally would make a decision to fire up that motor ans start putting miles on it towards any direction I choose - in hopes of greener pastures.
>and where were they sitting?
Just by reading your replies, you can see the importance and all the more reason for driving as a TOTALLY self employed independent Owner Operator; in TOTAL control of your business direction. I wouldn't want to rely one a single source of income to stay alive in this industry. The carriers certainly don't have 1 single customer.
Course, making you wait costs them nothing, its for free, while it costs you money to eat, idle the motor for ac or heat, and your TIME is money. That is why O.O.'s should look at getting their own operating authority, and not have to depend one someone else for loads. The internet is full of load boards. Join OOIDA, they help in getting your own authority.
Waiting a week to get a load from a captive carrier that demands that you wait for them to locate a load for you, and taking a hefty percentage skimmed off the top....does not have your best business interests at heart.
1 week without pay, and costing you money to sit there; you can make money money at a burger joint...
How much does your truck cost in payments and insurance, and idling fuel or motel costs to sit and wait??? How much do you value your time on a per hour basis? Deduct that amount from the next load that carrier throws your way. Breaking even? Delivering for free or out of your pocket?
Since it usually is YOUR truck, and you are not under legal dispatch transporting loads therefire not using that carriers operating authority or insurance rather "bobtailing" or non truck liability coverage (which you usually pay); I personally would make a decision to fire up that motor ans start putting miles on it towards any direction I choose - in hopes of greener pastures.
rfrogger120
Expert Expediter
Sounds like you have your own authority, tell me, how long is your average wait and what is your average weekly $$$. Can someone have there own authority in a cargo van?
That is why it makes sense to find a carrier that lets you obtain your own frieght with you setting the rates. Why be just at the mercy of what the carrier offers you? That sitting a week waiting on a load would happen only once.
Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator
Davekc
owner
21 years
PantherII
EO moderator
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Simple answer. Find a carrier that respects your time and investment. Hmmm best solution I have found, also check the attitude of the POSTS here. NOT VERY POSITIVE, think that might have something to add to it?
Sure I have sat, not saying I have a perfect answer but the question sure does seem to apply that their has got to be perfect answer, and I do not believe that your own authoritiy is what it is cracked up to be.
Its a partnership, I have a truck, my carrier has the freight, we both make $, I sit they have the responsibilty of everything but the truck, if my wheels arent turning with freight we both loose.
Some people with the big companies are very happy, some people with a small carrier are happy, the key is have enough $ in savings to get along until yo find the right fit. Otherwise I guarantee that the person who does not have the capitol will be singing the Blues of this Posts. Newbees you need to paying attention its not just buy a truck sign on with a carrier and BINGO your an automatic success theres much more to this game than just signing the loan papers and everything else will take care of itself.......
Sure I have sat, not saying I have a perfect answer but the question sure does seem to apply that their has got to be perfect answer, and I do not believe that your own authoritiy is what it is cracked up to be.
Its a partnership, I have a truck, my carrier has the freight, we both make $, I sit they have the responsibilty of everything but the truck, if my wheels arent turning with freight we both loose.
Some people with the big companies are very happy, some people with a small carrier are happy, the key is have enough $ in savings to get along until yo find the right fit. Otherwise I guarantee that the person who does not have the capitol will be singing the Blues of this Posts. Newbees you need to paying attention its not just buy a truck sign on with a carrier and BINGO your an automatic success theres much more to this game than just signing the loan papers and everything else will take care of itself.......
>
>
>
>Its a partnership, I have a truck, my carrier has the
>freight, we both make $, I sit they have the responsibilty
>of everything but the truck, if my wheels arent turning with
>freight we both loose.
>
>
broompilot
simple answer, that's how it is. RIGHT-ON!!!
just my opinion
>
>
>Its a partnership, I have a truck, my carrier has the
>freight, we both make $, I sit they have the responsibilty
>of everything but the truck, if my wheels arent turning with
>freight we both loose.
>
>
broompilot
simple answer, that's how it is. RIGHT-ON!!!
just my opinion
Mister TyZo
Expert Expediter
>>
>>
>>
>>Its a partnership, I have a truck, my carrier has the
>>freight, we both make $, I sit they have the responsibilty
>>of everything but the truck, if my wheels arent turning with
>>freight we both loose.
>>
>>
>
>broompilot
>
>simple answer, that's how it is. RIGHT-ON!!!
>
>
>
>just my opinion
Absolutely Broom that's a Ditto here
TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR RIDE
>>
>>
>>Its a partnership, I have a truck, my carrier has the
>>freight, we both make $, I sit they have the responsibilty
>>of everything but the truck, if my wheels arent turning with
>>freight we both loose.
>>
>>
>
>broompilot
>
>simple answer, that's how it is. RIGHT-ON!!!
>
>
>
>just my opinion
Absolutely Broom that's a Ditto here
TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR RIDE
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
If you were at the Jabez Truck Stop in Portland, OR. thats not a wait its a VACATION # 1 Truck Stop in America or the World....
rfrogger120
Expert Expediter
When your waiting 5 or 6 days for a load, what could you possibly do, so that you dont get board, theres only so much you can do, I'm mainly asking the question to the b-unit drivers because I know living area is really small in a van.
romoore245
Expert Expediter
This time last year we sat six days in seattle, wa. We finally gave up and DH to Lodi, ca. Thinking we had just been in a bad area, we sat for another four days. The only offer we got at that point picked up just outside LA it was a bad month. To say the least.
The longest wait I remember, was the 5 days it took to work my way east from Waterloo, Ia, to Chicago - the bitter cold was hard enough, but the wind was wicked - thought the van & I might get blown into Canada! (Figured the odds of getting a load out couldn't be any worse there, anyhow) Did get out of Chicago, finally.
When stuck somewhere for a few days, you need to get out of the van/truck, or you'll start talking to yourself. Then arguing with yourself, lol.
In nice weather, I like to find a do-it-yourself place to wash the van. In bad weather, I'll find a mall to walk for the exercise. If all else fails, take a nap - it almost guarantees a load offer!
When stuck somewhere for a few days, you need to get out of the van/truck, or you'll start talking to yourself. Then arguing with yourself, lol.
In nice weather, I like to find a do-it-yourself place to wash the van. In bad weather, I'll find a mall to walk for the exercise. If all else fails, take a nap - it almost guarantees a load offer!
rfrogger120
Expert Expediter
Give me an idea of what to do to kill time so i dont wind up talking to myself. lol
Find a good used book store near home and stock up on authors you like. Doesn't take up a lot of space and you can trade them out when you go back home.
Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Longest I remember sitting was 4 days in Laredo. That was when I started out, now the longest I sit anywhere will be maybe 48 hours before I will D/H out to another location, less if I know there are other trucks ahead of me on the board and things are not moving well. Along with reading you can get a laptop computer and play games and get on the internet too at many truck stops that have a WIFI system for a small fee to help pass waiting time. I have always enjoyed going to antique malls and museums and swap meets if stopped over somewhere during a weekend where I'm less likely to be called on a load and can get away from the truck for a while. Denny
bamapeople2006
Expert Expediter
3 nights in Tucson, or is it Tuscon? At any rate, I ended up deadheading to Dallas with an overnight stop in El Paso.
