Wow-what is the deal?

cpboy_1 · Oct 17, 2007

I can't speak for everybody out there. But I have a team that drives for the big cat. Our experiences haven't always been pleasant but we are learning. We have an excellent owner operator who bends over backwards for us. They really go out there way to answer questions and make useful suggestions that benefit both parties.

Is the expediting industry really in a downfall. I am in my peak of getting a truck. I come on this website quite frequently to gather informatin to research on obtaining a truck. Now it is all this talk about overcrowding, and slow 4th quarters. What is the deal? Is it worth me making an investment of getting a truck with the big cat? Or is it expediting in general? Please respond?x(

x06col · Oct 17, 2007

Well boy, for the ones that want to do it easy and not pay attention, there has ALWAYS been too many trucks in this business. There were too many (according to some) ten years ago. Depends, do you want to go camping? Run to race your car? Run to pay the bills? Or, Expedite for a career? There IS a large difference.

OntarioVanMan · Oct 17, 2007

If there were a wrong time so to speak...the time is passing quickly as X-mas season is almost upon us. And the tradtionally slow months are coming. To define slow is yet another matter depending on the carrier and work habits and dare I say LUCK.

If I knew back when what I know now...I'd have to say I'd be looking around March to get into this biz...but then again who really knows?

davekc · Oct 17, 2007

As to whether you should buy a truck, depends on alot of things. In his most eloquent way, I think that is where the Col. was trying to go.
Your finances and management skills will be a big determination as to how well you do.
If the economy continues to slow, then frieght will slow. How you react to that will depend on your overall outcome.
If you are unsure, then wait alittle while. That way you can measure your progress and see if it is going to work for you.
On a side note, alot of the posts dealing with slow downs are from van drivers.
I think the straights and tractors are running alittle more consistently.

Davekc
owner
23 years
PantherII
EO moderator

OntarioVanMan · Oct 17, 2007

At this moment in time Vans/Sprinters are running thier wheels off...
At least Express One's are....

Daves correct I think the bigger trucks are more consistant.

greg334 · Oct 17, 2007

So I assume that you really can't make a million dollars?

OntarioVanMan · Oct 17, 2007

Is that gross or net???

And over how long a period? 5-10 20 years?

ATeam · Oct 17, 2007

I believe an economic recession is coming in the not too distant future. No one knows how long it will last or how mild or severe it will be, but one is coming, of that I am sure.

When the economy slows, freight slows. When freight slows, owner-operators and trucking companies of all types struggle to stay in business. In expediting, if the last slowdown is a guide, the expediter failure rate will increase. Note, however, that even in the best of times, a number of expediters fail. That's not about the economy, its about business skills, work ethic, and other personal attributes (or the lack of them).

So, how will you do if you buy a truck soon? I have no idea since I know virtually nothing about you. An indicator may be found in your current numbers. How are you doing compared to your peers? Do you have more money in the bank today than when you started? Given that a recession is coming, do you have six months of gross income saved up to see you through the lean times?

There will probably be people who enter expediting as owner-operators the very day the recession is officially proclaimed to have started. Some of them will be still standing when things pick up again. They will be the ones that had good business skills and financial reserves.