What is needed?
- Thread starter adsakm02
- Start date
A good first step would be to go to school on the EO Open Forum. Take some time to read all posts in all forums going back for six months. Two years would be even better. Doing so will provide a great deal of information and help you ask informed questions when you talk to drivers and recriters.
>Hello. I wolud like to get into expediting, but I don't know
>too much about what I need
ADS: You are going to need several things and EO is a great place to start.
Knowledge Read the last couple of months of postings on this site and you'll get a good feel for what expediting is. Search for those topics or posters that particularly interest you and read up on that material. This info should give you the basics to ask detailed questions which the EO members will be pleased to answer.
Curiosity We are all curious about the different carriers' policies and procedures and you should be also. You'll need to know which carrier and which truck size can satisfy your particular requirements. We can tell you about each, but no one here can tell you what's best for you.
Wisdom Wisdom is the ability to discover and select alternatives. You'll need some if you are going to enter this field and choose the right company, truck and equipment the first time out.
Money Expediting is not instant wealth. As an owner/operator, you will be starting your own business. Like any startup business, you will need working capital to buy equipment, tools and supplies. You'll need a truck and the stuff to oufit it for safely hauling freight. Your other startup costs will include, but not be limited to, the following: A CDL is required by some van operators and all other truck sizes; background checks by a carrier; DOT physical; Escrow fund on deposit with a carrier; operating money for fuel, food, tolls, telephone and sundries until you get your settlement check; Living and travel expenses while you attend a carrier's indoctrination; and, all your other normal living expenses like rent and utilities.
Perseverance If expediting or other form of trucking is the lifestyle for you, then do your homework and seek all of the advice you can get from recruiters, drivers, owner/operators and other EO members. We're here to help but only you can select the choices.
Terry
>too much about what I need
ADS: You are going to need several things and EO is a great place to start.
Knowledge Read the last couple of months of postings on this site and you'll get a good feel for what expediting is. Search for those topics or posters that particularly interest you and read up on that material. This info should give you the basics to ask detailed questions which the EO members will be pleased to answer.
Curiosity We are all curious about the different carriers' policies and procedures and you should be also. You'll need to know which carrier and which truck size can satisfy your particular requirements. We can tell you about each, but no one here can tell you what's best for you.
Wisdom Wisdom is the ability to discover and select alternatives. You'll need some if you are going to enter this field and choose the right company, truck and equipment the first time out.
Money Expediting is not instant wealth. As an owner/operator, you will be starting your own business. Like any startup business, you will need working capital to buy equipment, tools and supplies. You'll need a truck and the stuff to oufit it for safely hauling freight. Your other startup costs will include, but not be limited to, the following: A CDL is required by some van operators and all other truck sizes; background checks by a carrier; DOT physical; Escrow fund on deposit with a carrier; operating money for fuel, food, tolls, telephone and sundries until you get your settlement check; Living and travel expenses while you attend a carrier's indoctrination; and, all your other normal living expenses like rent and utilities.
Perseverance If expediting or other form of trucking is the lifestyle for you, then do your homework and seek all of the advice you can get from recruiters, drivers, owner/operators and other EO members. We're here to help but only you can select the choices.
Terry
adsakm02,
Please consider attending Expedite Expo 2005 in Woodhaven, MI on August 10-11, 2005. http://www.expediteexpo.com
Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
Sacred cows make the best burgers
"So tell me, are those cookies made with real Girl Scouts?"
Sometimes the squeaky wheel doesn't get the grease, it just gets replaced
You can't tell a book by its movie
-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg
Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!
-----------------------------------------
Please consider attending Expedite Expo 2005 in Woodhaven, MI on August 10-11, 2005. http://www.expediteexpo.com
Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
Sacred cows make the best burgers
"So tell me, are those cookies made with real Girl Scouts?"
Sometimes the squeaky wheel doesn't get the grease, it just gets replaced
You can't tell a book by its movie
-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg
Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!
-----------------------------------------
You've received some excellent advice so far. To address a couple more of your inquiries I'll add that insurance, at least based on the research I did, is less expensive through your carrier than on your own. It is also most convenient because each week it is deducted from the settlement check. For a van it may be better to get your own but at least for my straight truck it worked best through my carrier.
Experience is a catch-22 at times. Some carriers demand it and some desire it but how do you get it to give them if they won't let you work? You'll have to research that on a carrier by carrier basis. Van operations may not require past experience since it's closest to everyday driving. I don't know though since I don't run a van.
As already mentioned, go back for several months here in the forums and you'll get a good feel for things. Make a list of carriers you are interested in and contact their recruiters. Discuss your situation and narrow your list as you go. When you get down to about 3 or so likely suspects post questions here if you have them and let the people who are or were with those carriers address them.
TAKE YOUR TIME! Don't rush into anything. Research it completely and then go back over your data to confirm your findings. You don't want to get into this with the wrong carrier or expectations and get poor results. Lastly, remember there are no dumb questions and ask away. Good luck to you.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Experience is a catch-22 at times. Some carriers demand it and some desire it but how do you get it to give them if they won't let you work? You'll have to research that on a carrier by carrier basis. Van operations may not require past experience since it's closest to everyday driving. I don't know though since I don't run a van.
As already mentioned, go back for several months here in the forums and you'll get a good feel for things. Make a list of carriers you are interested in and contact their recruiters. Discuss your situation and narrow your list as you go. When you get down to about 3 or so likely suspects post questions here if you have them and let the people who are or were with those carriers address them.
TAKE YOUR TIME! Don't rush into anything. Research it completely and then go back over your data to confirm your findings. You don't want to get into this with the wrong carrier or expectations and get poor results. Lastly, remember there are no dumb questions and ask away. Good luck to you.
Leo
truck 4958
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.