New Cargo Van Driver Seeking Tips

Nytmare897

Seasoned Expediter
Hello all. Just bought a van and ready to hit the road. I work for a company and am based in Central Pa. Now I do know that the loads come in when they come in. I have been in service for the last two days and stilll have not been called for a load. I know I am just starting but is still a little frustrating. Helpful comments and advice welcome. Thanks.
 

fastman_1

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Hello all. Just bought a van and ready to hit the road. I work for a company and am based in Central Pa. Now I do know that the loads come in when they come in. I have been in service for the last two days and stilll have not been called for a load. I know I am just starting but is still a little frustrating. Helpful comments and advice welcome. Thanks.
PA. Can be tough most of the time, I usually dead head out back to Ohio or up near Buffalo
 

paullud

Veteran Expediter
Hopefully you're not sitting at home in Altoona waiting on a load. Where are you waiting? Have you checked with your company to see if Erie, PA or Akron, OH might be a better spot?
 
  • Like
Reactions: paulnstef39

Nytmare897

Seasoned Expediter
I am right in Central Pa Altoona to be exact. I did think about dead heading back towards OH. But no way. Cause I have State College and Pittsburgh and even Philly are closer. So I figure I will just wait here at home till they get something and dead head for a pick up. Also with it being the weekend I am going to wait till Monday.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ntimevan

fastman_1

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Fastman: Are you saying when you drop off in PA you dead head to Ohio? Or do you live in PA and dead head OH when you want work?
I live in Akron Area, I usually just deadhead back out towards home, or up to buffalo area, alway had good luck in that,
 

Nytmare897

Seasoned Expediter
Okay...my buddy lives in Lakewood OH..he gets runs weekly. I was hoping to just hold out home till I got a load. Then once I got out of PA stay out for a week. See where the loads take me. How is Maryland and/or Virgina? N.C.?
 

ntimevan

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Okay...my buddy lives in Lakewood OH..he gets runs weekly. I was hoping to just hold out home till I got a load. Then once I got out of PA stay out for a week. See where the loads take me. How is Maryland and/or Virgina? N.C.?

First off....Not all companies do the same in all states ..freight wise...most of the Big-Name company have Hot-spots that they should inform you of....
Next...my Wild guess here..You are going to work for a No-name broker...who chances are Does Not care ...When or Where to they get you a load or for a reasonable rate .... Hopefully you have 3 months worth of expence money saved up ..by that time you should be more aware of how this business works.... J M O
 

paullud

Veteran Expediter
So I figure I will just wait here at home till they get something and dead head for a pick up.

If you want be home you should either move to a better freight location or find a another job. The freight doesn't come to you, you go to the freight. What transportation experience do you have? It sounds like you are approaching this with a truck driver mentality.
 

jjtdrv4u

Expert Expediter
Hello all. Just bought a van and ready to hit the road. I work for a company and am based in Central Pa. Now I do know that the loads come in when they come in. I have been in service for the last two days and stilll have not been called for a load. I know I am just starting but is still a little frustrating. Helpful comments and advice welcome. Thanks.

sell the van, and buy a straight truck; that way you will have better luck getting a load almost anywhere, just saying.
 

Nytmare897

Seasoned Expediter
Paul. My buddy who has been with the company swears I will get a load out of here. But we shall see. I am aware that when I dead head it is on my own time and dime. Yes a week does not seem like much. However for now I am only looking for about 1000 in cash to pay the bills. so if I only get 500 paid miles that week. I should be good . come home for a couple days then head back out.
 

fastman_1

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Paul. My buddy who has been with the company swears I will get a load out of here. But we shall see. I am aware that when I dead head it is on my own time and dime. Yes a week does not seem like much. However for now I am only looking for about 1000 in cash to pay the bills. so if I only get 500 paid miles that week. I should be good . come home for a couple days then head back out.
2 bucks a mile? I think we found the problem.
 

fastman_1

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
1000 bucks a week, 500 paid miles= 2 bucks a mile. In a van ain't gonna happen. If that's the carriers rate, your gonna sit forever
 

Nytmare897

Seasoned Expediter
No no...I am looking for 1000 bucks a month..and 500 paid miles was an example.. if i get 5 100 miles runs for a week that would be cool or 2 250miles runs. ya know?
 

fastman_1

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
I would ask dispatch how many loads come out of that area, (they should know the answer) and how often, 1 a day? Week? And ask what area they are hot in? Might wanna move to the hotter area. Find out where they have the best luck at, and stay close to those areas
 
Top