[RLENT]

I don't see how a maintenance escrow of some sort ...... that is fully funded by the beneficiaries could be detrimental beyond the administration costs of same.

Well lemme see if I can shed some light on the maintenance account aspect .... are you really sure that you want someone hanging onto your money ? .... which you then have to go thru to access said monies ? Why not just set it aside yourself ?

Home Delivery contractors are required to escrow several accounts for each contracted route - I think there are two that are required - claims and maintenance - and I think there is a third which is optional. It's kinda like a savings account - and FHD contributes to it if you keep it at a certain level.

One is also qualfied for bonuses (monthly or quarterly) if the maintenence account is kept at a certain level - don't meet the level - and no bonus (and it's not chump change either.)

So let's say you need some maintenence work done and you ask for payroll to advance you "X" dollars out of the maintence escrow account "Y" But when you recieve the next weeks settlement you notice that instead of taking it out of "Y" it was taken out "Z" - which drops "Z" below the level required to earn a bonus for that route for the month/quarter.

After more than month, the senior terminal manager and payroll in PGH (Home Delivery's HQ) had still been unable to resolve this matter by crediting the incorrect account and debiting the correct one - and paying my son his bonus.

Quite frankly, for better than the last two months more, often than not my son's settlements have been wrong ..... and I'll give ya a hint - they haven't been over what he should be getting paid - it's always short. Trying dealing with that and having to pay 5 drivers on a week in, week out basis.

Be careful what you ask for ..... you just might get it.

[RichM]

RLent perhaps you can verify this information. I have heard from several Fedex Ground guys that they can get health insurance through Ground by piggybacking on to the employee policy.

[RLENT]

Rich,

I don't know offhand - but I'll have my wife ask tomorrow when she goes into the terminal.

I do know my son is covered under his wife's insurance at her work.

[lanier1]

You're right, a savings account would do the same. Its the health care issue that would be the biggest benefit. I think that would do wonders for drawing contractors and keeping them. I know it would make a huge difference to me. By the same token if someone else were offering it that would make me take a hard look at them. Health Care is a huge issue and expense if you don't have group power.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying they owe me this. I knew the health care deal when I signed up. I'm just saying if it were offered I believe the benefit to the carrier would be significant due to loyalty and retention of contractors. It is cutting edge ideas and thinking outside the box that keeps companies one step ahead of thier competition.

[Broompilot]

You coud offer all the Perks in the World and large % of drivers would still be unhappy. The only thing that would make them happy is a very large Lazy Boy and a Remote. Lets face it people just do not want to work.

Comming into this indsutry underfunded, just adds to this problem does not cure it. We read it here all of the time ITS EVERYONE ELSES fault but my own. If one saves enough prior to entering into this or anything than one has meet the first goal.

It seems to me (and I have posted about it how many times now?) That we somehow wana play politically correct and hide the facts under the rug for these people to fail thinking that somehow they can beat the odds of entering this dangeriously (underfunded) with no clear goals let alone take the time to do a Business Plan.

Want solid great info, read Terry's advice, otherwise you will figure out who is really at fault for failure.

Thank you Terry. We are here to help, but the first step is YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OWN CAPITOL to make it continue working.

[RLENT]

Rich,

I talked to one of my sons' drivers last night about the insurance when I ferried him down to pick up his truck from the shop. He's actually an ex-contractor (my son bought his route from him and he now just drives) - he's been around for 4 years or thereabouts ... so he outta know. He basically said that yes, contractors can buy health insurance through Fedex, although he claimed it is not the same as the Fedex employees have (which is very good apparently), and that the coverage isn't all that great. He said it might be good for younger guys buf if you are older it ain't so great (he's probably in his mid to late 50's)

[lanier1]

Broom,

You're right, you can't make everyone happy all the time. Does that mean a carrier should not ever try to improve the working situation of its drivers? I don't think most successful businesses are thinking the same as you are. Constantly looking for ways to improve business, working situations and profitability are vital to the continued success of any business including my business of running my truck.

I don't think anyone has made the statement that coming into this business underfunded is the cure to any problem. As I stated earlier, the carrier should do a better job of informing potential contractors as to the amount of capital needed to better the chances of success. If, however, people ignore that advice from the carrier or this forum or wherever then its no ones fault but thier own.

I don't believe I have disagreed with anything Terry said. In fact, I stated I did agree with what he said.

[Broompilot]

Lanier, if your going into business and you cannot figure that out on your own = WHAT DID YOU SAY? The Leasiing Companies should explaine to us in advance what it takes? You would actually take that as accurate advice when they have an agenda to fill? Nothing against recruiters here but they work for who? And I am being paid what for my time here?

I said we are here to help, seems to me I would rather take advice from a Mentor, and from someone who is successfull than depending on FECC or Panther or anyone else to tell me do you really believe that they should be responsible for your success or failure?

Your right not everyone thinks like me, but there are plenty of successfull people who post here continusiously who are just that SUCCESSFULL. Follow the adivce of successfull people and you just might find yourself in the same company.

[jrcarroll]

>You coud offer all the Perks in the World and large % of
>drivers would still be unhappy. The only thing that would
>make them happy is a very large Lazy Boy and a Remote. Lets
>face it people just do not want to work.


On the other hand, there are a lot of us who do get into expediting and really want to work. Then after the orientation and a few hand fed runs, things turn around. Example: week 1 ; one run, then week two; two runs, and each week is like these. All the while you sit in the truck stop and wait for the next load offer, as you see other trucks from the same company come and go. Yes maybe some are just fueling while on a run, but the rest?? If the company is going to hold you to the 'hours of service' then why does my log book have so many "restarts"

I personally dont think that it's 'underfunded' as much as it is money management. I have seen many drivers spend, spend, spend. Then only after they are broke do they start to whine and cry about money.
Like was said, do a business plan, or just a simple budget, Then STICK TO IT!!!

[ABEJR2004]

Terry,

Good Post

AbeJr
TranStewart #6680
Stand Tall & Be Proud

[lanier1]

You're killing me Broom. Did you even read my earlier posts?

You wrote:
Lanier, if your going into business and you cannot figure that out on your own = WHAT DID YOU SAY? The Leasiing Companies should explaine to us in advance what it takes? You would actually take that as accurate advice when they have an agenda to fill? Nothing against recruiters here but they work for who? And I am being paid what for my time here?

Yes, I expect honesty from my carrier, even the recruiters. I know who they work for and thier agenda and knew it from day one.

You wrote:
I said we are here to help, seems to me I would rather take advice from a Mentor, and from someone who is successfull than depending on FECC or Panther or anyone else to tell me do you really believe that they should be responsible for your success or failure?

Please show me where I said you should not take advice or seek mentorship here or anywhere else. Show me where I said the carrier is responsible for my success or failure. I no more think that than you do. All I have said is it IS in thier best interest for contractors to be successful.

You wrote:
Your right not everyone thinks like me, but there are plenty of successfull people who post here continusiously who are just that SUCCESSFULL. Follow the adivce of successfull people and you just might find yourself in the same company.

Show me where I have said I am failing and it is the carriers fault and they are to blame and no one else. Its really none of your business but I will tell you. I did all my own research prior to entering this business. I didn't know this site existed or I would have utilized it before getting in but I did my own research and for the most part I was close on what to expect as far as numbers go. Naturally there was much that couldn't be foreseen without, as you say, a mentor. I figured out how much truck I thought a solo could support and had decided the business would not support the 5 year old truck rule. When I found out I could go farther back I was back in with a 99 FL 70. Off to orientation and I see solos with brand new trucks and wonder if they know something I don't. I doubt it. I've been at this only ten months and have managed to scratch out a living on nothing but my own determination and wit with, arguably, the biggest and best carrier out here and have done it RUNNING LEGAL as that is the only way FedEx will do it.

I'll ask you again. Did you even read my earlier posts? I apologize if I said something you have found offensive. It was not my intention.

[fastrod]

Packmule I used to be leased to a carrier. After some dissagreement with them over the rates they were charging the customers I left and got my own authority. It was the best move I ever made.

[RLENT]

Do you really believe that they should be responsible for your success or failure?
Well ultimately each individual is responsible for his or her own success or failure .....

Having said that, I would still answer the question you pose above in the affirmative - yes they are responsible ... at least the good ones are.

There is no reason why the carrier can't be willing to be responsible for the success of their o/o's.

There are limits to this obviously - that responsibility only extends to what the carrier is willing and able to control.

And the fact that they are willing to be responsible to some degree doesn't relieve the individual of his or her responsibility in the least (the idea here isn't to come up with another party to BLAME) ....... one would do certainly do best to plan for nobody else other than one's self being responsible for one's own condition ..... but when a little outside help comes along a better situation is likely for all involved. Survivial isn't solely an individual activity.

To operate in any less than the manner above (being willing to be responsible for others to some extent) leads only to a dog-eat-dog, I'm-only-out-for-myself-kinda-world ...... not exactly a place where I care to live.

[terryandrene]

>Actually FedEx does not have seperate companies, Ground,
>freight and express are 'segements' or divisions of FedEx.

Greg: For the record.

FedEx Corporation Overview

FedEx Corporation provides strategic leadership and consolidated financial reporting for the independent companies that make up today's FedEx: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Services, FedEx Custom Critical, FedEx Trade Networks, FedEx Supply Chain Services and FedEx Services.

[Packmule]

Fastrod,

Good for you! I think it takes a lot of guts to jump out there and run completely independent, but those that can manage thier business and are willing to work hard should do well.
Good luck to you,and glad you are satisified.

Danny