Would you sign on with Roberts Express?

[Bruno]

For those of who have been in this business and remember Roberts Express. If someone bought the company that owns the name and changed the name back to Roberts Express. Would you sign on with Roberts Express if it went back to the way it was before the name change?

 

[guido4475]

For those of who have been in this business and remember Roberts Express. If someone bought the company that owns the name and changed the name back to Roberts Express. Would you sign on with Roberts Express if it went back to the way it was before the name change?

In a heartbeat, even if they or someone was to bring back Autoquick.I'd love to run just the Ohio, Ind and Mi only areas again and be home every night, or close to it.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

wouldn't make any difference if you signed on with Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy...the rates would be the same as now, just another company...its gone, history..there'll never be another, the expediting game is way too different now then it was back then....

you can dream of the past but the bills still have a due date..

 

[guido4475]

wouldn't make any difference if you signed on with Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy...the rates would be the same as now, just another company...its gone, history..there'll never be another, the expediting game is way too different now then it was back then....

you can dream of the past but the bills still have a due date..

Yes, you are correct, Mr OVM. But dreaming never hurt anybody, right?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Roberts had the market literally to themselves...not very many with their fingers in the pie to take a piece...

There is too many sharks in the water now....

 

[Bruno]

Roberts Express did it the right way. They did things on GOOD SERVICE and remembered what got them to where the was. The customers and the drivers. Panther is very much like the old Roberts Express was. I hope they keep doing things to keep the customers coming back.

 

[piper1]

I would like to buy diesel fuel for $1.12 a gallon again too, any chance of that happening?

Panther now is like what Roberts was???? Really?

There are several carriers providing the GOOD SERVICE you talk of.....and they are all doing it for a shadow of what the rates once were...welcome to the new century.

 

[nightcreacher]

I remember the beginning.Yes it was Roberts Express.There was no competition in those days.The company did no advertising,and other than the customers and drivers,no one new what exactly Roberts Express did.
In today's market,what Roberts was will only be a memory.Today's customers are not only looking for service,but they even more want it done as cheap as it can be done.
There will never be double didget a gallon fuel again,even though we all wish.Some times the rates will be as in the past,but we can't count on that either.
In today's market,to survive,we all must cut the costs in our own programs.Better fuel mileage,longer tire wear,every expense needs to be cut the best you can.Back in the beginning,when freight would slow down,Roberts would raise their rates.This will never happen again.Even though we all would like to find a time machine,They are only in the movies.
Dreaming is fine,never stop.

 

[davekc]

If it wasn't for Roberts, I wouldn't be here. Didn't know what expediting was until the company I worked for became a customer.

 

[greg334]

Video Killed the Radio Star

It is the same for this business;

Internet killed the Expediter Star

Just saying it was a lot different without technology.

 

[fastman_1]

If we could back in time I would, I was with autoquik back then and did very well running 3 states.

 

[iceroadtrucker]

Video Killed the Radio Star

It is the same for this business;

Internet killed the Expediter Star

Just saying it was a lot different without technology.

John Rambo Went home to Arizona Because of what is.

Lets Ride

 

[wimpy007]

My wife and I have fond memories of Roberts. It was a great ride, but like all good things it came to an end , so sad.

 

[redytrk]

I don`t miss Assigned layovers, The 32 hour at home penalty, and forced dispatch. (Well nearly Forced).

 

[guido4475]

Video Killed the Radio Star

It is the same for this business;

Internet killed the Expediter Star

Just saying it was a lot different without technology.

Video killed the radio star: now there's a blast from my past !!!
Cool song by the Buggles, if I remember correctly.

 

[Turtle]

First music video played on MTV? Well, see it for yourself
YouTube - MTV LAUNCH FIRST DAY SATURDAY 12:01 am AUGUST 1st , 1981 1st hour Part 1

 

[Pilgrim]

For those of who have been in this business and remember Roberts Express. If someone bought the company that owns the name and changed the name back to Roberts Express. Would you sign on with Roberts Express if it went back to the way it was before the name change?

A qualified yes - if the management team was like the one prior them becoming part of Rodeway. The operations group as well as the sales and marketing guys were top notch and understood the drivers AND customers. That basic business model would be successful today no matter how much competition. They wouldn't command the type of market share that Roberts did, but they would certainly be able to rise into the top 3 or 4, assuming they had a White Glove division.

 

[letzrockexpress]

Competition is a cornerstone of capitalism...You can't have it both ways....

 

[transporter]

The good old days. 5 cent cokes, 15 cent cheese burgers, 78 cent gas, no spam, viruses could be cured with penicilin.

 

[guido4475]

I remember the beginning.Yes it was Roberts Express.There was no competition in those days.The company did no advertising,and other than the customers and drivers,no one new what exactly Roberts Express did.
In today's market,what Roberts was will only be a memory.Today's customers are not only looking for service,but they even more want it done as cheap as it can be done.
There will never be double didget a gallon fuel again,even though we all wish.Some times the rates will be as in the past,but we can't count on that either.
In today's market,to survive,we all must cut the costs in our own programs.Better fuel mileage,longer tire wear,every expense needs to be cut the best you can.Back in the beginning,when freight would slow down,Roberts would raise their rates.This will never happen again.Even though we all would like to find a time machine,They are only in the movies.
Dreaming is fine,never stop.

You are so right.I remember calling dispatch on the phone yelling because I had a bad week of revenue hitting only $2,500 and getting worried.Now, that is considered a blessing, to hit that consistently.There was so much more peace of mind back then,more relaxed.And so much more less undercutting going on.And I also remember filling up at the T/A in Jessup screaming mad because I was paying $1.25 for a gallon of fuel....LOL.