Truck Topics
Are you looking into expediting? Check out the Panther II "Turnkey Driver Program."
It's probably the most frequently asked question on Expediters Online's Open Forums: "How do I get started in expediting?"
And, the most frequently-given answer would be: "Drive for someone else first."
Many in the expediting business would agree with that approach. Why jump into a new career - or more appropriately, your own business - when that first move requires a substantial investment that might not be necessary, at least at the outset? Why not learn the ropes and discover if this business is for you without purchasing that truck at the outset?
Well, Jeff Brown of the Contractor Support and Development department at Panther II Transportation of Medina, OH agrees, and says, "Even if you don't own a truck, that doesn't mean you can't be an expediter."
He says that his company has developed a program designed to bring the truck owner and the driver together: The "Turnkey Driver Program."
Adam Walter, Panther II's Recruiting Manager says, "It's a great opportunity for individual drivers and teams who are looking to enter the expediting industry, but don't have the resources to purchase a truck, or who want to get a feel for the business before making that commitment."
"It's also a great program for fleet owners to keep drivers in their trucks! We maintain a list of drivers who are already Panther II approved, and who have their orientation completed."
There are currently several trucks, including cargo vans, straight trucks and tractors, belonging to fleet owners leased to Panther II that are in need of drivers. With the Turnkey Driver Program, Panther II is taking a pro-active approach in helping those owners fill those trucks by acting as a bridge between owner and driver.
The candidates for this program come from two specific sources: drivers who have responded to Panther II's Internet and print advertising, as well as drivers who the truck owners bring to the company. The company says that the Turnkey Program can be a winning scenario for all - the owners, the drivers and Panther II.
How it works
This program was developed and initiated in January of this year with the idea of "better serving our owner/operators," says Ms. Coertje Feil, Panther II Driver Recruiter. "As any owner/operator who has people driving his trucks is aware, it can be expensive to put drivers through the qualification process."
She continues, "In addition to the costs that go along with the drivers attending orientation such as a drug/alcohol screen, motel room, physical, etc., there's the unfortunate situation that sometimes occurs when the driver doesn't appear when scheduled or only attends the first day of orientation."
"That can be costly to an owner when a driver doesn't qualify, and we're trying to help defer some of those costs through pre-qualification."
Coertje says that the program best serves those drivers in the Panther II area: "In the Turnkey Driver Program, we're working primarily with drivers who live close enough to drive here, or who can afford transportation to our facility."
Panther II will reserve and pay for the drivers' motel room for two nights, pay for the drug screen and physical and during orientation, they pay for lunch.
"Before they come to orientation, we'll have their application and we will have run their MVR and background check. They will be fully approved to come to orientation, and at that point, we will get their name out to every owner who is looking for a driver."
Keeping a driver database
Coertje states that she maintains a current e-mail list of owner/operators in need of drivers for their cargo vans, straight trucks and tractors. For example, whenever the Panther II recruiting team qualifies a driver for a tractor, she will fax or e-mail those owners advising them of that newly-qualified driver's availability.
The program is especially beneficial to those multiple unit fleet owners to help maintain their manpower, says Coertje, or for the owner who is in the process of adding trucks to his fleet. Also, the owners will run their own advertisements for drivers and the response to those ads will occasionally attract more drivers than needed.
Coertje asks the owner that, once he has made his selection from the respondents, that he instructs the other applicants to call her recruiting team, so they can be added to the availability list.
"As soon as a driver's application is approved," Coertje says, "I will get their name out to owners and let them know that the driver has agreed to come to orientation as part of our Turnkey Program. When they arrive for orientation, I will contact the owners again to tell them the driver is going through the orientation process as a Turnkey driver."
"As soon as the driver finishes orientation, I'll inform the owners that the driver has met all of the requirements, and he's ready to get behind the wheel of an owner's truck. When an owner selects that newly-qualified driver, we take the driver's name off the list."
The majority of the owners are seeking drivers for straight trucks, followed by openings in tractors. There is always a demand for teams in both size units, but Coertje says that there are positions available for solo Class 8 drivers as well.
For more information about the Panther II "Turnkey Driver Program," contact Ms. Coertje Feil at 800 830-7592, ext. 3740