[perkey02]

hello i am interested in getting into expedited o/o,i would like info about pay for a cargo van,what can you expect to gross and which companies out there are hiring cargo vans or sprinters.also do you need a dot physical to drive cargo van/sprinter.any info would be greatly appreciated.thanks

[aristotle]

Hi Perkey, I grossed $60k last year w/Panther as a solo operator in a van. That was for approx 48 weeks availability with 4 weeks off. Of course fuel was much cheaper last year. I have been away from expediting the last 4 months and plan to return July 1st. Good luck to you.

[dhalltoyo]

And your "Net" after:

1. Fuel
2. License Plates
3. Truck Insurance
4. Workmen's Comp Insurance
5. Tolls
6. Oil, Filters, Windshield Wiper Blades and Fluid
7. Tire Rotations
8. General Maintenance
9. Food
10. Showers
11. Laundry
12. Etc., etc., etc., ad infinitum.....


Net (60K minus all costs) = _________________?

[cheri1122]

Originally Posted by perkey02

hello i am interested in getting into expedited o/o,i would like info about pay for a cargo van,what can you expect to gross and which companies out there are hiring cargo vans or sprinters.also do you need a dot physical to drive cargo van/sprinter.any info would be greatly appreciated.thanks

Perkey: please take the time to read the Newbies and Newbies FAQ forums, as the answers you seek can be found there. Welcome to EO, and happy reading!

[ATeam]

Originally Posted by dhalltoyo

And your "Net" after:

1. Fuel
2. License Plates
3. Truck Insurance
4. Workmen's Comp Insurance
5. Tolls
6. Oil, Filters, Windshield Wiper Blades and Fluid
7. Tire Rotations
8. General Maintenance
9. Food
10. Showers
11. Laundry
12. Etc., etc., etc., ad infinitum.....
Net (60K minus all costs) = _________________?

In item 12, be sure to include health and life insurance, and retirement savings. The worst case scenario is not that you fail after a short term in expediting, but that you reach the end of a long expedite career and have nothing to show for it, and only the government to rely on for food, clothing and shelter in your later years. Breaking even does not a successful expediter make.

[cheri1122]

Breaking even does not a successful expediter make.[/quote]
Success being whatever an individual thinks it is, such categorical statements are an opinion not necessarily universally shared, and a judgmental one, at that.
Good grief - the OP hasn't even got enough information to decide whether expediting in a van is the way to go, so far. A bit of reading here, may well persuade him/her that it's not, you know?
How about if we let the OP decide whether expediting is the right choice, before we start telling him/her how best to accomplish your version of successful financial planning, eh?

[pjjjjj]

I think everyone could agree that if you run your butt off, and go thru the mechanics of running a business with all the work that entails in itself, if you are left with nothing after paying all your expenses, you might as well have enjoyed your days sitting in a park under a tree or something, for the same zero money.
And it's true, you would hate to think of yourself reaching an age where you want (or need to for medical reasons) to slow down and retire, and find you have nothing to live on, or even in.
I don't think anyone is saying a set certain amount is required in order to be considered 'successful', the obvious is just being pointed out, in that if you end your month, year, or life, with zilch, then how successful were you? Better to think about it now, than later, when it's too late!
In another thread, people are talking about running an average of 2500 miles per week.. so things can't be THAT bad out there, there should be plenty to pay oneself an income and save for future days!

Pretty well all companies require a DOT physical as part of their company requirements, and it seems most also require a CDL, even for a van.

[cheri1122]

My point was, and is, that we aren't much help to newbies, if we can't answer the questions asked, at least, before pursuing our own agendas. Did the OP ask for information on successful financial planning, or expenses to be deducted from the gross income? He/she asked for something quite different, is all I'm sayin.

[davekc]

I think the subject did go a little off topic with a financial planning course. Wonder if he needs a 401k plan since he would be self employed? Better not ask.

To answer the question put forth, yes there are companies hiring vans. Use the company guide on the home page and call their respective recruiters. At the same time, inquire about their requirements and guidelines for the DOT physicals.
Take their information and then proceed to the closest truck stop or better yet, the EO expo to verify the information and see if the income parameters meet your personal requirements.
At the expo you will be able to meet the recruiters face to face and talk to existing drivers.

[dhalltoyo]

My question was in response to "aristotle's" post; not "perkey02's". The natural order of the posts is testimony to that fact.


Perhaps if he had responded to the questions presented within my post, it would have provided "perkey02" with a more in-depth overview of why he left the industry. Moreover, considering his planned return to the industry perhaps his response would have provided "perkey02" with information regarding those companies that might be allowing vans into their fleets.


Additionally, it has been my experience that a "Start Up" business owner must be aware of the "Net Income" to assure their financial responsibilities (needs) can be realized. Certainly, the "Gross Income" is a valid concern, but the "Net Income" is the bottom line!


Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance but to do what lies clearly at hand. Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)

I find very revealing that "perkey02" and "aristotle" expressed no umbrage with my request for additional information.

Perhaps it is because they have no axe to grind.