It's a Team's Life
Job – Work – Dread
Timing is everything and what works well now might not have worked at an earlier time or a later time in our lives. When our kids were young I would not have wanted to miss a minute of their growing up even with all the trials and tribulations. As our first daughter left home for university we started realizing before long both of our daughters would fly the coop and where would we be? Our jobs were fine but we knew we would be existing not living and that is when we decided to turn our lives upside down. As Brandy became a senior in high school we really got serious about our life changing decision. Talk about scared out of our wits and with most family members (not our kids) telling us we were nuts we proceeded on with our plans. Admittedly our first attempt did not meet our needs and we had to step back and regroup and plunge in once again and this time it was a perfect fit.
Sleeper vs Freight Capacity
Now seventeen years later and still counting we are still not sure most of the time we are working for a living. First as time has progressed and we realized that we really enjoy our life on the road we upgraded our living conditions to create an equal balance for us in sleeper accommodations and the ability to haul freight. We have considered both ways, adding a bigger box with less sleeper or adding a bigger sleeper with less freight capacity, and we feel we are in the situation “it is as good as it gets”. Every time we buy a truck we consider our possibilities and at some point, we might change but for now we have a great balance.
Which carrier to be leased on with or have our own authority?
After ten years with one carrier a few years ago we made the jump to a different carrier. Our first choice was made after much research and for us the fit was great and not only did we learn about expediting we thrived. As with any good business we are always looking at other choices and if we could do better at another company or with our own authority. Neither of us feel we are ready to have our own authority so we looked at moving up into a different segment as we knew we wanted more challenge. Well we got what we asked for not only a lot more challenge but also better gross and net income. Three years have almost pasted and the partnership just keeps getting better. The more effort we put into this relationship the more we get back.
In Retrospect
Looking back over the past seventeen years as drivers the past thirteen years have been the best, the most adventures, most challenging, as well as having the most overall satisfaction. As the three-year anniversary approaches at our current carrier we are still thrilled with the relationships we have formed with agents as well as with the company. The partnerships become a little more personal and we know that if we scratch their back they will scratch ours at some point. We have our favorite agents and when I see their number pop up on the screen of the phone it makes me smile.
Work or Not?
The past thirteen years have flown by and at the same time we feel as if we have been expediters for most of our lives. This is our life and we embrace driving, sitting, and enjoying seeing our country. In our business, we have chosen to break up hauling freight with attending truck shows, attending workshops, and stopping to see family and friends whenever possible. This leads us to often wonder do we have a job or a lifestyle?
Bob & Linda Caffee
TeamCaffee
Saint Louis MO
Expediters since January 2005
Expediting isn't just trucking, it's a lifestyle;
Expediting isn't just a lifestyle, it's an adventure;
Expediting isn't just an adventure, it's a job;
Expediting isn't just a job, it's a business.