What Does the EO Open Forum Mean to You?

[ATeam]

I'm working on a piece about the EO Form topping 15,000 members and am seeking comments from members about what the Open Forum means for you.

For what do you use the Open Forum?

Why do you "regulars" come back again and again, sometimes for years?

What prompts you newbies to become members?

What do you like and dislike about the forum?

Why do you think the EO Open Forum has succeeded where similar forums have failed?

Do you expect to be an active forum member three years from now? Why or why not?

What does the EO Open Forum mean to you?

 

[greg334]

For what do you use the Open Forum?

I don't "use" it for much of my own needs, I am here to share what information I can when I can.

I don't want to see people make the same mistakes I made while at the same time, I don't want them to enter into this niche market only to fail.

Why do you "regulars" come back again and again, sometimes for years?

Mainly the same reason I gave for the first question, to share information.

What prompts you newbies to become members?

To be part of the community instead of sitting on the sidelines waiting for an answer to pop up for a question they have been wondering about or never even thought of. Some have joined to jump in to ask in order to make decisions and this I think has been a good thing for the site.

What do you like and dislike about the forum?

Likes -

It is overall a great community of people with a diverse backgrounds - most everyone has something to offer.

There is a hands off approach to the site, which has allowed it to grow and prosper, while that doesn't happen at other sites, it sometimes is hard to do for an owner and administrators.

Dislike -

Not much, I am vocal about things openly which I hope it spurs other members to be the same. I won't go through the little list for this.

Why do you think the EO Open Forum has succeeded where similar forums have failed?

I don't think that it has anything to do with the site other than having Lawrence take a hands off approach to the site. I strongly feel that it is the community that the members have built and have maintained themselves.

Do you expect to be an active forum member three years from now? Why or why not?

Of course.

Repeating my first answer - I don't want to see people make the same mistakes I made while at the same time, I don't want them to enter into this niche market only to fail.

What does the EO Open Forum mean to you?

It is a place to share ideas and opinions about a range of subjects and it helps those inside and outside of the niche market we call Expediting.

---> note to Phil, hope you read this.

 

[chefdennis]

I still come to EO for information....to gather and share...

 

[MissKat]

It is an avenue for folks to share tips, information, ideas, and values. I have enjoyed establishing repoire with many, check it daily as a source of news just as I check major news outlets for the same reason. I have bettered my job positions in expediting due to what I have learned from the EO community and I hope that I have been of some value as well.

 

[idtrans]

EO to me is a place to entertain Moot and his buddy Jeff! I also like reading the many trucker stories!

seriously I like the updating each other of new laws, industry news / equipment reviews , and road repairs. the trucking industry is and always will be a huge dissfunctional family. no matter what size truck , education, $$$ you have, languages you speak !!! if you're a trucker your a mess just the way it is!!!

 

[tumbleweeds]

The Forum is a great way to keep in touch with friends and learn/share information on the industry as a whole and information on each company within the industry. It helped us make the decision to join the vanner lifestyle and we have avoided some mistakes along the way partially because of the information we learned here. Thank you to all who have helped.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

EO equals the playing field..I am as good as a lawyer, carrier and scholar....my success shows you don't need a degree on the wall or a high school diploma...just some good ole horse trading sense and a lot of git er done....and luck..

My presence I hope can inspire anyone that it is possible to succeed in expediting...

 

[jelliott]

I think it is a great place to learn, share what you learned good or bad. As well it is really a nice community of people. You may see people banter and argue at times, but in the end it is a bit of a family. Drivers see that on the road when they meet others who post. I see that when people stop in to say hi and meet me. You really see the power of the relationship building at the Expo.

I think it is a great open forum. Yes it is moderated, but hopefully not more than needed. I don't think any of the moderators find the job to be very much fun after a short period. it is work, plain and simple. It is a job where you will never make everyone happy, but you do your best. But the members and the moderators do a really nice job at keeping it an open place that is civilized and well represents our industry.

 

[mxzane933]

IT means i traded my facebook friends in for a bunch of traveling crazy people who drive vans, st,and tt's,because I never really get on facebook any more like I used to . I dont really know what caught my eye about this place being from a totally different background but some how EO did it... The secret? I dont think will ever find out. Its a great place to get info,new,friends,business ideas,and job applications all in one place. What a deal it is.lol

 

[cableguymn]

U think we r crazy?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[tumbleweeds]

U think we r crazy?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

Please don't open up that can of worms. Traveling 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Living in a 7x12 metal box on wheels. I've seen a few that have up to 3 large dogs living with them. Eating crappy food, taking showers in gas stations, looking forward to driving 1000 miles from the heat of Texas to the frozen Northland of Detroit and then turning around and going back again. Nope, nothing crazy about this lifestyle. If you add up all of the hours and then consider how much you make, minimum wage would be a pay raise. ( okay, so maybe a little crazy) Jimmy Buffett said it best when he said "we want some fruitcakes around, makes the world more interesting". Who knew they would all drive vans and travel the country looking for that perfect run.

There's a little bit of fruitcake in everyone of us.

 

[Monty]

What to change? That annoying ad bar recently installed at the bottom of the page .... try getting to the taskbar wiout a pop up!

Everything else is wonderful!

 

[jjoerger]

To me EO is the expedite information super highway.
Where else can you learn so much from so many for free.
Almost any question will be answered quickly and most times correctly.
And the personalities on here are endless.
I find it my number 1 source of entertainment while at home or on the road.

 

[mxzane933]

U think we r crazy?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

EVERY LAST ONE. i mean who else would rather be in a metal cube on wheeles than have a lavish house with a pool? I know i do for some reason i like my van better thank the house and it has 40 acers with a supercross and motocross track. But my favorite back yard pool is my sercet spot in myrtle beach i back in, park, open the back doors pull the E.Z up out . And go for a dip in the ATLANTIC ocean

 

[pearlpro]

I first came here to learn, to educate myself, then to listen and learn even more, then as I began driving and expediting I passed on the things I have learned, and still learning. But its also a community of people/drivers of different backgrounds, experience, and a lifestyle. I have no doubt that as a member here should anyone of us TRULY NEED something others would answer.

Its OUR lifestyle but yet our life lived on the whitelines, between them and past them, we Teach, Joke, Share, Enthrall each other with tales of brave Ulysses, Oh I got sidetracked....almost like fishing storys but with more Lies.....but I know everyone here care's about this Expediting thing....

So yes Ill be here in three years as Im buying my first new truck right now, and hoping to make this the last career move, I love trucking, although i hate whats happening to it from the safety lobbys, Regs and other Lobbys who dont truly understand YOU and ME.

Its in my blood, always has been, what does the future hold, do any of us know ???

 

[LisaLouHoo]

The forum, to my boyfriend and me, is useful for learning about equipment, companies, truck stops; every facet of the business. We find most times there is a commaraderie amongst members; and other times there are those who take exception with posts. It is at times difficult to have a different opinion or post an unflattering, yet provably true, entry of a carrier without a certain faction launching a personal attack that transcends the thread subject.

Overall, it is fun to help and share experiences. The problems are insignificant compared to the benefits. Every forum has keyboard bullies, and that's all they are. No threat in the real world.

He joined years ago. I joined 1 1/2 years ago when he started taking me on the road with him. I could then post or research for him from my Smartphone while he drove.

As long as he has any type of driving career, we will be on EO. The information that can be found here can be applied to all aspects of freight hauling.

Sent from my ADR6300 using EO Forums

 

[mrgoodtude]

What Does the EO Open Forum Mean to You?
I love a good train wreck

 

[Turtle]

I come here because I like the way all the members never hold a grudge and will let unflattering, yet provably true bygones be bygones.

And the ads. I like the ads. They're zadzzy.

What the EO forum most means to me, however, is because expediters come from such varied backgrounds, it's a place to learn all kinds of kewl stuff about a very wide variety of things. EO Expediters are smarter than the average trucker. It's true.

 

[cheri1122]

What they ^^^ said.
Plus, I'm a bit of a 'clean freak', and the occasional splurting beverage on the keyboard serves as a reminder to get out the QTips & scrub the keys. [And when it's Coke, it clears the sinuses, too!] No other website does that for me.

 

[blizzard2014]

The EO forum means many different things to me. First and foremost it means that I can ask and receive knowledge from many different members who know what they are talking about. It also means that I can shoot the breeze with people who are in the same line of work that i'm in and know that we are all in this together as a collective. It also give me inspiration to know that "Lawrence" was once a lowly cargo van driver with a dream and he has persevered and gone on to be the voice of what we do.

I think that EO is an invaluable resource for drivers, fleet owners, company owners, and anyone who wants to know what it is like to be an expediter. But the most imortant thing that EO means to me is that I can log on daily and track Chefdennis's locations and get angry each and every time he gets a good load! J/K.