hi,i have some questions.my wife and i are interested becoming a team ,however we will be starting from scratch we live in the seattle area and from what we can tell there isnt as many opportunities to get going in this busines on the west coast does that seem true to you?also are children are adults or close to it and we like to do otrmaybe under our own authority we have some savings and we thougt we would pay cash for a truck and try to make living from load boards or whatever was available does this sound doable thanks
west coast expediters
- Thread starter coaster
- Start date
Before you do anything I strongly suggest you read back a minimum of one year in the general, newbies, newbies faq and recruiter forums. That doesn't mean read every single word, but go back at least a year reading all the threads that sound interesting or applicable to your situation. There has been a lot of discussion on the various load boards and how much or how little good freight they have. I could be wrong, but your post waves a huge red flag in front of me saying nowhere near ready yet. Do a lot more research on these forums as well as considering driving for an owner for 6-12 months to learn the business on someone else's depreciation and truck expenses.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
thanks for the insight.i should have clarified .we dont intend on entring the business for about 18 months i have a job household and varios responsibilities i have to take care of first.how about the question of otr expedite on west coast we would like to own a truck and really put it to work but it looks like east coast has more work so maybe need to go to that coast?
Diane and I recently hauled our 500th load, giving us a reasonably-good size set of data to work with. In about four years, we have team driven straight trucks (D, DR and CR units) for FedEx Custom Critical and have been White Glove qualified the entire time.
I mention this because different carriers haul different kinds of freight. Even within the same carrier, you will see different kinds of freight than other drivers, depending on your credentials and desires.
I know some drivers that never go out west and others that are happy to go. Naturally, those that refuse loads west of the Mississippi will have that reflected in their run data.
The White Glove distinction is important too. White Glove drivers are eligible to haul loads non-White Glove drivers seldom see. That increased load eligibility makes it easier to get out of a western state, or get moving in one. What might be a dead area for some can be more active for others.
Panther has a division that competes for White Glove-type business. I do not know enough about Panther's western operations to say anything about it. Perhaps others who are better informed about Panther can.
So, when considering the following, also consider that our results are those of team drivers with certain credentials, that like going to and running in western states.
Of 500 loads completed:
42 picked up in California
05 picked up in Oregon
06 picked up in Washington
01 picked up in Idaho
11 picked up in Nevada
09 picked up in Arizona
In other words, 74 of 500 loads, or 14.8% picked up in Pacific-coast states or the next states inland. The majority of California freight originated in the Los Angeles area.
Nationwide, our top three states for freight pickups are:
California, 42
Pennsylvania, 32
New Jersey, 25
Based on 500 loads, we have come to believe that if we are anywhere along the I-80 corridor between Chicago and New York City; or anywhere along the I-95 corridor between Boston and Richmond, Virginia; or near Los Angeles, we are sitting pretty for our next load.
That is data and observations from one team. Hope this helps.
Regarding your question about working the west or east coasts, the more willing you are to go to where the freight is, the more successful you will likely be.
I mention this because different carriers haul different kinds of freight. Even within the same carrier, you will see different kinds of freight than other drivers, depending on your credentials and desires.
I know some drivers that never go out west and others that are happy to go. Naturally, those that refuse loads west of the Mississippi will have that reflected in their run data.
The White Glove distinction is important too. White Glove drivers are eligible to haul loads non-White Glove drivers seldom see. That increased load eligibility makes it easier to get out of a western state, or get moving in one. What might be a dead area for some can be more active for others.
Panther has a division that competes for White Glove-type business. I do not know enough about Panther's western operations to say anything about it. Perhaps others who are better informed about Panther can.
So, when considering the following, also consider that our results are those of team drivers with certain credentials, that like going to and running in western states.
Of 500 loads completed:
42 picked up in California
05 picked up in Oregon
06 picked up in Washington
01 picked up in Idaho
11 picked up in Nevada
09 picked up in Arizona
In other words, 74 of 500 loads, or 14.8% picked up in Pacific-coast states or the next states inland. The majority of California freight originated in the Los Angeles area.
Nationwide, our top three states for freight pickups are:
California, 42
Pennsylvania, 32
New Jersey, 25
Based on 500 loads, we have come to believe that if we are anywhere along the I-80 corridor between Chicago and New York City; or anywhere along the I-95 corridor between Boston and Richmond, Virginia; or near Los Angeles, we are sitting pretty for our next load.
That is data and observations from one team. Hope this helps.
Regarding your question about working the west or east coasts, the more willing you are to go to where the freight is, the more successful you will likely be.
I couldn't agree more with Leo's post please take it to heart. Reading the archives you see numerous folks going belly up because they didn't heed the advice Leo & others have previously presented.
March 23 I got a load from NJ to UT and haven't left the area. I've been very busy running UT, WA, OR, NV, AZ, NM and CA with no end in sight. Not many units in these areas so competition is at a minimum.
I’ve talked with folks from Panther & FedEx all said they were doing well out west.
Maybe it’s just a good west coast cycle happening?
I surely don’t miss the humid weather in the east coast or JERSEY MOSQUITOS.
March 23 I got a load from NJ to UT and haven't left the area. I've been very busy running UT, WA, OR, NV, AZ, NM and CA with no end in sight. Not many units in these areas so competition is at a minimum.
I’ve talked with folks from Panther & FedEx all said they were doing well out west.
Maybe it’s just a good west coast cycle happening?
I surely don’t miss the humid weather in the east coast or JERSEY MOSQUITOS.
jeffman164
Seasoned Expediter
Depends a lot with who you are with. Was in Seatle for 1 week without a load. The Feds, Expresses, and the Tri's were a coming and a going out the exit driveway so fast that all I saw was a flash and the barn doors going down the road kicking up dust.
monte98465
Seasoned Expediter
Well I can tell you from experience that hardly no good freight comes out of the area with Panther. I drove for them for 6 months and was only able to get home once, and that was the first month I started with them. Most teams come out and deadhead to California to pickup a load. Other than that Panther was a good decent company to work for...they just couldn't get me home. I live in the Seattle area too.
unorthodoxneon
Expert Expediter
I'm sitting in the seattle area right now. I hear alot of loads come up from Cali to the seattle area. Mostly government freight. Thats how we got up here. Picked up a load from Seal Beach, CA to Port Hadlock, WA and hear that panther is up near Port Hadlock quite often. As i sit there is 2 panthers expected to be here tonight (or last night since its 0300 EDT).
My bet would say if you come to panther work on getting your government you'll be out west quite often.
My bet would say if you come to panther work on getting your government you'll be out west quite often.