6 weeks in and deeply disillusioned

[LDB]

> 2. slow time of year means lower pay per mile as well as
>longer waits between loads but hang in there both will improve
That depends on who you are running for. With Panther the rate per mile is set in your contract and rarely varies. There will be a small (single digit) percentage of offers at a lower rate but almost all will be full rate with the only variable being the wait in between.
>
> 3. expect about 1/3 of gross for deposit after
>insurances, decals, escrows, qualcomm fees and misc.
>installation chgs for the 1st 3 months or so
If 2/3 of gross is going for these items you listed there is something significantly out of whack... unless the gross for the week is in the $3xx-$4xx range.
>
> 4. plan to have 3 months of truck payments, mortgage
>payments, and other ordinary expenses in the bank when you
>start
Excellent advice and plan for anyone. With 3 months of total expenses in the bank you are prepared for Murphy and his cousin.
>
> 5. acceptance statistics are practically meaningless
Not true at all in my opinion. There was a discussion of this a while back. Acceptance in the 75-80% range is most likely going to earn the most bottom line. In the 95-100% range as well as in the 40-50% range are going to bring less to the bottom line.
>
> 6. Fed Ex and Panther are great companies to work with
Both are very good companies for those who fit well with them. They don't fit well with everyone as every company out there doesn't fit well with everyone. There are many other great companies to work with besides these two.
>
> 7. This site is a good source of information and advice
>from some very sincere and dedicated people
We like to think so and do our best to make that happen.


Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

[davekc]

With two trucks, I would almost say 3 months is the minumum, and go closer to six months. Just a personal preference, and nothing set in stone. As mentioned, I would also recheck some of your posted numbers. A few seem out of wack.







Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

[Quick2Ship]

A fair question, we did just under 18,000 miles - 1/3 of which were deadhead.

[kwexpress]

KW Express
o/o till i die

Welcome to expedite. In all honesty I know alot of over the road drivers that dont average $1 per mile on all miles and only get 5-6 mpg pulling 40k plus loads.

so I would say for this time of year your not doing to bad and would try to stick it out with your company for now but if your leased to a carrier why are they charging you broker fees?

[davekc]

KW does have a good point. Never heard of a carrier charging that either.




Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

[RichM]

I agre with Dave and KW about the broker fees, I have never heard of a carrier charging back to a O/O broker fees. Most of the large established carriers obtain their own freight through their sales staff and web sites.Also customer rebates are taken out up front before you are offered the trip so even if their is a GE or L/Martin discount you know your revenue going in. So something doesn't sound right.

[Broompilot]

Some are gona hate me for this.


Your situation is a CARBON COPY of what I went thru two years ago and one month. Quotes of $ did not even come close. Our only difference is you have two trucks I did it with one. Same Carrier, same story.

You want to survive? Of course you do, find a different CARRIER TOMMOROW! As much as I respect others opinion here, you have not screwed up buying your own truck for yourself, but two now theres a problem, but I beleive with the right management you can not only survive but prosper. Where you are at now with those #s its only a matter of time if those trucks have loans attatched to them.

Now I hope, and you did not post this but you better have some savings to carry you into a change over as this is the key to survival in this business or any business is capitol to bridge you when things do not turn out as you planned. Did you do a business plan? This will help you in planning your course.

[x06col]

If you think you are disallusioned now, wait 10 or 15 years. It'll get better. Once you have your trucks paid off, and you have some experience. Ain't no instant gratification here. Sorry. Six weeks? Get real.

[nightcreacher]

>KW Express
>o/o till i die
>
>Welcome to expedite. In all honesty I know alot of over the
>road drivers that dont average $1 per mile on all miles and
>only get 5-6 mpg pulling 40k plus loads.
>
>so I would say for this time of year your not doing to bad
>and would try to stick it out with your company for now but
>if your leased to a carrier why are they charging you broker
>fees?
if hes on with fedexcc,and doing back haul broker loads,there will be broker fees,but they wont tell him,they will already be taken out of pay,and this will be good reason for his low money per mile

[EASYTRADER]

I have found that so far I have actually beaten the FECC earning brochure I was shown, The 1.44 per mile they advirtise is for LOADED miles. Which was always clear to me. My first month I was a little miffed also but it was due to inexperience. Having finished our 1rst quarter we have done "better than advertised" income wise.

By the way the brochure I was shown displayed rate per all miles run at
.89, I don't take a run unless all the miles including dead to and deadhead out to busy area, get me 1.10 for all miles. This is not easy
I must turn down many loads, but it's either that or I trade my 'D' unit in for a tractor and run regular freight again.

Basically, what I had to due was set perameters as to what kind of runs I can take and the rest must be turned down. I require a certain gross amount as well as the per mile figure. Unless the run is going somewhere that I want to visit then I'm more flexible.