A guy wrote a question about how to get into expediting on one of the blogs on EO. I looked up his email address and sent him this email just now. Thought I would share it so you all dear readers could add to it. Kat.
Hi Gene. I see you are in Missouri, Kansas etc. A lot of folks do not read those blogs on EO. I think that is why you have not received an answer to your question. My husband and I drove TT team for 9 years total, but two of those years was in a FedEx Custom Critical White Glove straight truck for two different owners. The last gig was with Panther driving a show stopping W900 and reefer trailer.
Go to the classified section on EO and start answering some of the ads. Owners are desperate for good drivers. Solos make less money and here is why - expediting means emergency. Teams can drive 24 hours a day, solos not so much. Someone forgot a part and needs it overnight. A hospital needs drugs for inventory asap. It is not LTL or TL freight (I know I worked for Western Freightways for two years and that is a great company with more miles than you can count on, a good hire on bonus. They are in Denver, owned by New Century. Getting newer equipment now. Look them up and call them - they do not care where you live and you can take the truck home).
As a solo in expediting the dispatch is dicey. First, the company your owner is signed on to bids against all the other expediting companies to win a load. Then whoever wins sends out the load offer to several trucks in the same area as the freight pickup. Depending on what it is, how long you have been sitting there, whether dispatch likes you or your owner, you may or may not get the load offer. Then you have to decide whether the destination is a good area for emergency freight or not. If not, like Laredo, you will sit there for a week until the same scenario happens all over again, the bidding, the load offer, etc. You will wait two to three weeks for your first paycheck and the owner will charge you back usually the first paycheck for the orientation usually three days at the carrier anywhere from $75 to $150 bucks. You will need the customary physical and drug screen. Most requirement hazmat. If you have a long form physical that is six months or newer some companies will accept it. Panther conducts the physical and drug screen first two hours of Orientation. You fail you leave. No one pays you to go home.
Most owners will NOT pay you to go to Orientation. It is on your dime. You get a sandwich and a donut and dinner is on you. Some owners will pay for a room while you are there. I have attended Panther and FedEx Orientations. Most drivers never see the truck they will drive until they have made the trip to the Owner's garage or to Orientation. If the truck has issues, you usually have no options. Call Greyhound or ask the Carrier's recruiting department if there are any other owners that might need your service RIGHT NOW.
You are an independent contractor under agreement to drive someone's truck. No taxes are withheld, no insurance benefits, no paid days off, no breakdown pay. If the truck breaks there usually is not another truck for you to drive. You are out of service until the truck is made to run. You can sometimes take advances on your pay for the first two or three weeks depending on the owner. Most likely it will be $100. Think about how many cigarettes or hamburgers that will cover.
You will need a cellphone, a gps, a good sleeping bag, and a cooler. Some owners I am reading do not allow you to idle your vehicle. This means no heat or air while you are in your government required (if bigger than a van) rest period. Find out if the owner is going to charge you rent on the APU (on board generator) if there is one.
Here are some questions to ask when you are responding to the EO classifieds:
1. Who are you leased on to?
2. Give me the names and phone numbers of some of your drivers, past and present.
3. How do solos do with your carrier?
4. Can you tell me the average number of days in 2012 the vehicle was in service?
5. Do you keep maintenance records on your trucks and can I see it for the one you want me to drive?
6. What equipment comes with the truck? (APU, Fridge, Chains, GPS, TV, mattress, etc.)
7. Who is on call if I have a breakdown and about how long does it take for decisions to be made by the owner after estimates?
8. Is there ever a time you the owner will reimburse me for motel expenses, tolls, etc.
9. Do I call in with each load offer for awhile and how long will it take for me to be able to accept on my own?
10. Will there be someone available 24/7 with your company for me to consult with in the event of necessary and emergency communication?
11. Do you have a written contract with your drivers? Can I review it before I commit to you?
12. What additional fees do you charge your drivers weekly? Workman's Comp Insurance, equipment rental, qualcomm fees, advance fees, paperwork processing fees?
13. How do I get paid? Direct deposit? Is there a charge for this? Comdata card? Is there a charge for this?
14. Do I have to pay for my own deadhead fuel up front? What is the allowed deadhead mileage in your fleet? Do I have to pay for fuel to go home?
15. How long do I need to stay out before I can get to my house to pick up my trucking gear?
16. How long can I be off duty at home before I have to go back in service?
17. Does the carrier use paper logs or electronic logs?
18. Do you have prepass in your trucks?
19. Do I have to pay upfront for tolls? How long will it take to be reimbursed for them?
20. Can you provide interior and exterior photos of the truck you expect me to drive? Was the last driver a smoker? Did the in cab air filters get changed?
I am sure many more questions will be suggested on EO to this message, Read all you can on the site about expediting. It appears that a lot of folks are waiting for the beep this month. That means, waiting to bid or accept a load in order to move, in order to get a paycheck in the next two to three weeks. Some carriers do not do the bid system, but I have not worked for any of them.
Kat
