Question List For the Expo

Phoenix4774 · Jul 13, 2010

Hi,

With the Expo coming up I thought it might be a good idea to post a question list I found on the internet and was compiling. If anyone has any additional questions they think would be pertinent to ask please list them. Thanks.

1. What is the dead head pay / perimeters?
2. Do they have load refusal penalties?
3. Do they pay a percentage of the load or a flat rate?
4. Do they pay fuel surcharges on every load or some of the loads?
5. Can you choose your own layover area?
6. Is there forced dispatch?
7. How often will you get paid?
8. Are there cash advances? or Com Data?
9. Do they have company trucks?
10. What is there home time policy?
11. Do they have 24 hour dispatch?
12. what up front costs will I need to pay?
13. What deductions will I see on my payroll voucher
14. Which insurance's will I have on my unit
A. Will I get, or have to pay for Primary Liability?
B. Will I get, or have to pay for Cargo insurance?
C. Will I get, or have to pay for Bobtail insurance?
D. Will I get, or have to pay for Workman's Comp or Occupational Accident
Insurance?
E. Can I get comprehensive & collision insurance through the company?
15. Do they have direct deposit?
16. Do they have com data?
17. Do they have hiring incentives?
18. Can you choose the area of operation – regional or particular states
19. If I have to have a satellite unit, will they still call my cell phone?
20. Who pays for the satellite system installation / de-installation? How much for one
or both?
21. Do I have to haul Haz Mat, and do you require me to have a CDL w/ Hazmat?
22. Do I have to go to Canada or Mexico?
23. How much is dead head pay? And what are the perimeters of dead head?
24. Will I have to pay for or receive a Occupational Accident or Workman’s comp.
policy?
25. Is there an age limit on units they accept and what happens when mine reaches
that age?
26. Is there hold over / detention pay? How much and when does it kick in?
27. Is there a limit to the number of hours or miles I can drive?

greg334 · Jul 13, 2010

WoW!

27 plus questions

Here is what you should ask when talking to these companies in the order of importance;

Flat rate or percentage?
How often will I get paid?
Are there cash advances and what are the fees?
What up front costs will I need to pay?
What deductions will I see on my settlements?
Do you have direct deposit?
How much for the satellite system installation?
Explain your insurance policy
What is the detention pay level and when does it kick in?
Is there an age limit on units?
How is your FSC determined and how often is it changed?
What is the dead head pay?
Do you have 24 hour dispatch?
Do you require me to have a CDL w/Hazmat?
Do I have to go to Canada?
Is there a limit to the number of hours or miles I can drive?
Do you have load refusal penalties?
Explain your layover policy?

TeamCaffee · Jul 14, 2010

How is your FSC determined and how often is it changed

I would ask on this question what is the mpg that the FSC is figured on. This can make a heck of difference when specing or purchasing a truck. Fuel prices are on the rise again and having a truck that gets horrible fuel mileage can really hurt when fuel gets to $5.00 a gallon.

I would add:
What is your pet policy?

Good List for the companies

I would now work on a list to ask drivers and I would talk to as many drivers as I could with as many companies as I could to compare notes with. I would want to talk to drivers who are happy with their companies and drivers who are not happy with their companies. I have found that I have a high tolerance for certain actions that others find disturbing and I have found that I have a very low tolerance for things that other drivers brush off. You will not know unless you talk to drivers what some of the "warts" are that companies have.

layoutshooter · Jul 14, 2010

Good questions. Talk to as many carriers as you can. Not every carrier meets everyone's goals. In other words, how does that carrier you are talking going to work with YOUR needs and wants.

As Linda said, talk to as many drivers as you can. Everybody has likes and dislikes, needs and wants. Be sure of the "fit" before you jump. Not that you could never change, it just costs you time and money every time you do. Change too often and you get a reputation.

See you at the Expo!!

OntarioVanMan · Jul 14, 2010

This is an issue....and it does happen more time then not....

Try somehow to by asking drivers and recruiters and "find" that wall that separates the 2.....how the dispatchers work in the real world...it is a distance apart from the recruiting office...you will have "feel" this one out....

Moot · Jul 14, 2010

The most important questions to ask are; how much money and how many miles. Click the link below to view an actual newbie/recruiter interview.

Mr. Recruiter Man

ebsprintin · Jul 17, 2010

Is that an elite recruiter?

eb

Moot · Jul 17, 2010

ebsprintin said:
Is that an elite recruiter?

eb

Umm, I think it is a generic recruiter and a generic newbie.

Remix version:
Mr. Recruiter Man

Scottrucks · Jul 17, 2010

So do you want fries with that Big Mac?

fortwayne · Jul 18, 2010

I believe that a driver or owner/operator should ask are a few questions they should ask themselves.

Have I done all I can do to be successful at the company I am now at?

Have I turned down to many loads and that is why I am not getting the greatest paying loads now or not getting the mileage I need?

Do I go home to often, do I go out of service to often?

I believe there are plenty of questions we should ask ourselves before we go running off to the next great greener pasture.

'Interview' yourself first and with total honesty before you have other companies interview you for an opening.

Now if you believe that another company could provide you with a better opp - then keep one thing in mind......they will check you out and interview you to see if you fit their needs.....so don't hesitate to 'interview' them as well.....don't hold any punches - they don't, why should you.

By both sides interviewing each other there is a higher chance of a happy partnership, but, to often drivers and owner/operators fail to do their part and then blame the company itself.....if you get each and every one of your questions answered you will be able to find that opp you are looking for.....and be better prepared when you make your move.

Keep in mind, if a recruiter is making promises - I believe you should walk away. A promise is a guarantee and in this business there are none. If a recruiter provides you with facts, backed by documentation - then you are on the right path.

Then again, this is just my thoughts. Life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you react to it.

ATeam · Jul 19, 2010

Phoenix4774 said:
Hi,

With the Expo coming up I thought it might be a good idea to post a question list I found on the internet and was compiling. If anyone has any additional questions they think would be pertinent to ask please list them. Thanks.

That is an impressive list for a new EO poster and expediter wannabee. Good job! Clearly, you are researching the expedite opportunity well.

I would add only that researching this industry is not a sequential process. It is ongoing and your questions will shift in focus and depth as as your understanding grows. Getting one question answered to your satisfaction will give rise to several new questions and present your previous questions in a new light.

Note also that an answer may be right or wrong depending on the goals one has - the reasons for being in the business. Different people have different goals and many expediters have no goals at all (as in clearly stated and written down).

Should I take a load out west as a van driver? Many would say no, but if you happen to live there and the load takes you home, the answer may be yes. If your goal is to see the country, the answer may also be yes. Same question, two answers, both right or wrong depending not on some objective truth about expediting that only experienced expediters know, but on each expediter's circumstances and goals.

The benefits of experience are often touted by experienced drivers but as an experienced driver myself, I keep my guard up about this. When you think you know something about something, your mind naturally opens to and accepts information that that supports your point of view and closes to and rejects information that does not support your point of view. Talking to newbies and trying to see the industry through their eyes is a good way to offset the experiential blindness that can develop over the years.

Now, before experienced drivers cry out that there is no substitute for experience, please notice that I am talking about THE BUSINESS of expediting. There may be no substitute for experience but there is no substitute for thinking either.

Phoenix4774 is clearly thinking about expediting as a business. Bravo! There are far too many drivers who have been in this business ten years or more that have yet to think about even half of the questions newbie Phoenix raises.

ATeam · Jul 19, 2010

fortwayne said:
'Interview' yourself first and with total honesty before you have other companies interview you for an opening.

Exactly right, and easier said than done.

Phoenix4774 · Jul 24, 2010

Thanks Greg for the list (I updated mine and consolidated it to 24 questions), and thanks ATeam for the compliment. I went to the Expo but only interviewed 3 companies, I am going to try to phone some others in the next few days. Of the 3 I interviewed Tri-State was the most positive, simply because they had some fleet owners looking for a van driver at present.

If acceptable I'll post the answers to my questions from the companies I interview in a few days.

Btw, I had a good time, there were some pretty decked out new sprinters and straight trucks.

greg334 · Jul 24, 2010

You welcome.

When you get to go to these 'trade shows' collect as many business cards as you can. Even if you only get to talk to a few, you now have a list to work with.