Driver Lifestyles
5 Things Every Expediting Rookie Should Know
Actually, there are probably a 1,001 things every newcomer to expedited trucking should know, but we had to draw the line somewhere.
We consulted with a select group of veteran expediters and they shared with us what they consider to be the most important things for a rookie to know. These bits of wisdom are not necessarily listed in order of importance, but rather as the expediters related them to us.
Bob and Linda Caffee, straight truck owner-operators
Bob says humorously, "Just remember, it's not the end of the world." "And," he adds, "Get a generator!"
Linda begins, "It can be overwhelming when you first start because you're not used to running 24 hours a day (in a team operation). You learn to run on a 24 hour clock and not on a 9-5 schedule. That was maybe the hardest thing for us to get used to when we first started."
She continues, "It's important to develop a network of people to talk to and a great way to do that is to use the forums on Expediters Online. There's a great group of mentors on there who can help with advice on the problems you're going to run into. It helped us a lot to read what others do."
"Learn your expenses and keep working on your bottom line. Learn what loads you can accept or refuse. Learn to during the good times so you have capital when business slows down."
"Get a hobby, take up reading and learn to relax while you're waiting for a load! That way you won't go sir crazy during the downtime."
"Watch your speed and what it does to your fuel mileage. You don't have to run 70 mph all the time to be on time. When you figure out the cost of fuel savings by just slowing down 5 mph, it can come out to several thousands of dollars a year."
Kelly and Renee Stillwell, straight truck owner-operators
"The rookie really needs to know his costs and expenses and how much he spends. He has to be aware of his overhead - how much it costs to go from point A to point B - what he's making and what he's not. If you have to deadhead 450 miles to pick up a 300 mile run, it's not cost-effective."
"The driver has to put money away - for truck maintenance, for those hard days and cold days and for unexpected expenses."
"The rookie has to keep the family back home in the picture, too. It's not just about being out here, doing the work he enjoys and making money. He's going to miss out on a lot too, so he's got to remain aware of his family."
"Truck maintenance is essential. You've got to keep your tire pressures up, keep up with the oil change schedule or the vehicle definitely won't hold up the way you expect it to."
When asked if he has any tips about how to remain friends with a co-driver, Kelly responds, "I got lucky! I found a woman who loves doing what I love doing and we don't really fight or argue. But, when you're running 24/7 and you stop, you've got to take into consideration the other person's need for sleep."
Bob Worthington, cargo van owner-operator
"Get a Flying J Frequent Fueler card or something similar. It gets you free showers, discounts on food, etc.
"Don't be afraid to relocate. Being number one in an area where they only get one load a week is only good if you're there on that day of the week. Know where your company's hot freight areas are and go where the freight is."
"The driver has to decide if the freight offered will enhance his bottom line. If a load has a long deadhead attached, that has to be taken into consideration before accepting it. Or, if you have a long-mileage load offered, but it takes you into the middle of nowhere, it's time to ask, 'What do you have that's coming back from there?' If you don't ask, you don't get."
"I recommend getting a GPS unit. Mine has proven itself because it's saved me a lot of money and aggravation."
"A relationship with someone you trust to work on your equipment is very important. I'm home just about every weekend and I have a local mechanic who I trust and who is reasonable. But, in this age of the Internet, and you're on the road, you can go online to cartalk.com and find a mechanic or shop that was recommended by other visitors to the site."
John Skinner, straight truck owner-operator
"Get all the information you can about the company you're considering leasing with."
"You don't need a new vehicle, but if you can afford one, that's fine. I do think it's a good idea to find a decent used truck so during that first year in business, you're not in too deep."
"Join O.O.I.D.A. It's a good source for almost any kind of information about any kind of trucking. If they don't know, they can tell you who to call."
"Shop around for everything. Determine what you need and then search out the best price you can find. You've always got to keep the bottom line in mind."
"No matter what, don't get discouraged and give up! If you're going into expedited trucking, give yourself at least a year before you decide if the business is for you or not. There's a learning curve attached to this business like any other and it also takes time to learn a company's system. If you're used to punching a time clock, this lifestyle can be a bit of a shock."
Ben and Melanie Easters, tractor-trailer owner-operators and fleet owners (3 straight trucks)
Patience.
Courtesy.
Time management.
Knowing your cost-per-mile.
Communication skills. The ability to talk to people is key. Be able to communicate with dispatch, customers, etc.
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