1. Can I Find a Driving Job With No Experience? - Top
If you're approaching Owners about a position driving a van, it should present no problem as long as you have the appropriate CDL.
For a straight truck driving job the chances are you will need a Class B CDL with airbrake endorsement. Possibly the Owner would be willing to help train you and help you through the licensing process.
For a tractor-trailer driving position it would be necessary to receive more formalized training such as a truck driving school and it will be difficult to find an Owner willing to take a chance on a new driver with no experience - Updated: October 28, 2005
2. What is Meant by the "Expediter Lifestyle?" - Top
This is definitely not the vocation for everyone. Just as in conventional over-the-road trucking, being an expediter can mean long periods of being away from home and family, many nights sleeping in a truck, truck stop showers, restaurant or fast food meals, late night runs when tired, and all the problems associated with driving a vehicle.
It's certainly not a 9-5 existence with a steady paycheck; on some weeks the money is great, the next week there's few loads and little income. This business requires that you manage money, rely on yourself and roll with the punches.
The upside of this business is the freedom that you will find in very few other occupations, a chance to see new places while being paid to do so, meet a variety of interesting people and to a certain extent, work when you want.
These are good reasons again to examine this business by driving for someone else before taking the financial plunge of buying your own truck. - Updated: January 19, 2001 - Updated: January 31, 2004
3. Can I Make a Living Driving for an Owner? - Top
It's difficult to give an income figure projection for a driver, there are too many factors involved. It would be safe to say that in most cases, a driver can make a decent living by driving another's truck.
There's a wide variety of settlement(pay) agreements that different O/O's offer their drivers. Usually the driver receives a percentage of the gross revenue of the truck with the driver being responsible for the cost of the fuel, but again, each Owner has his own system.
This is an area that you should research by talking to as many drivers, recruiters and owners as possible in hopes of finding the best deal.
The other equally important factor in deciding on an O/O to drive for is that of the company he is leased with. Being associated with an understanding, generous owner is fine but if his company doesn't have the loads or they are poor paying runs, it won't help you to generate income.
Single or Team Operation: Most O/O's run single drivers in their vans, but if you're considering a driving position in the larger straight trucks, chances are you'll be driving in a team operation, possibly with the owner himself or another "hired" driver. Living and working in such close quarters with a stranger for sometimes weeks on end does take some adjustment and it doesn't appeal to those who seriously value their privacy. Because of this, many O/O's try to recruit husband/wife teams for their trucks and there are many couples in this arrangement who are making a good living in expediting. - Updated: January 10, 2001 - Updated: October 28, 2005
4. How Do I Find an Owner/Operator to Work For? - Top
The expediting companies' recruiters are always a good place to start. They normally keep a list of their O/O's who are looking for drivers for their trucks.
The classified ads in the newspaper of a larger city will often have listings of O/O's seeking drivers. The classified pages of online sites such as Expediters Online.com and others will also contain positions available for drivers.
Another option is to approach expediters at truck stops or parking lots and make inquiries of those drivers. This is also a good way to get an idea if this is the kind of business you want to be in. - Updated: January 10, 2001 - Updated: May 12, 2005
5. Should I start in this business as a company driver? - Top
Yes, that would be the ideal way to get into expediting, unfortunately there are very few carriers using company drivers, thus limited choices available.
The next best way to begin would probably be driving for an Owner/Operator who is leased to an expediting company. This would allow you to gain experience in the business and lifestyle required without the major expense of buying and maintaining a truck. - Updated: January 9, 2001 - Updated: October 28, 2005
