With it being common knowledge that the term itself is subjective, in your opinion, how old is 'too old' to start OTR expediting in a Sprinter Van?
How Old is Too Old?
- Thread starter FranklyOld
- Start date
As long as you are in good health, age isn't an issue.
I know a few guys started after retirement.
I am in my 50s and in relatively good health overall. I expedited in my 40s and enjoyed it immensely. I think I'll give it another go.
He's been back with L1 in a Sprinter running OTR with his wife for a couple of years now. Honestly, I don't know how he does it. Sad thing is he has grossed 10K more then me in a van and took 6 weeks off this year. He drives for an owner, but still the van grossed more then I have in a straight truck. Granted, I don't run very hard and like my time off, but still. All I know is, I don't want to be his age and feeling I have to run that hard. I gave up those long marathon runs with no sleep a long time ago.
bcordell70
Expert Expediter
whats the rates on general freight with vans and straights these days ?
Harper
New Recruit
Since you already know the business, you have that part handled. Ragman's comment is golden: "As long as you are in good health, age isn't an issue."
Allow me to suggest that you change your self-image a bit from happy expediter to happy and healthy expediter. It's been a while since I have worked as an expediter (CR-unit, husband-wife team), but I think it's probably still fair to say that expediting is an unhealthy profession if you don't take steps to make it healthy.
It requires effort to eat healthy on the road. Your sleep schedule often varies. Healthy role models are hard to find in expediting from whom you can learn and take inspiration. The work itself is dangerous. You spend countless hours sitting while driving and sitting or laying while waiting for freight. That sedentary lifestyle is exactly what health professionals warn against if you want to live a long and healthy life.
That said, you can do much to be the healthy expediter I'm suggesting you be.
I know a bit about this. After 10 years on the road, my wife and I sold our truck and opened a gym. That was 12 years ago and we're still at it. We've learned a lot about health and fitness in that time, and we employ expert fitness professionals, including a Dr. of Chiropractic.
Savoring the many fond memories we have from expediting, and still having a soft spot in my heart for truckers of all kinds, I would be delighted to set you up with our staff free of charge for some coaching about maintaining your health and fitness on the road. We can show you some equipment that takes up almost no space and weight (resistance bands) and show you how to use them. We'll also introduce you to some body-weight exercises you can do in the van. Additionally, we'll teach certain principles, the understanding of which will increase your motivation to put in the consistent work a healthy body and mind requires, and help you produce the fitness results you want.
Our staff has no idea what it is like to live and work on the road, but I do. I can coach them about the space, schedule, and nutrition options you have available to you as a van expediter, and they can modify their coaching for that.
If you find yourself near FL I-95 exit #256, call (386) 243-5640 and tell staff you're responding to this post and you wish to speak with the club owner. I'll fix you up for some time with them that may be beneficial if not life-changing. The stronger and more agile you are as an expediter, the safer your work will be. You will sleep better. Your brain will function better. Your mood will be enhanced.
FYI, when we saw ourselves becoming fat expediters, we joined a gym to do something about it. We picked Anytime Fitness because it had more locations open 24/7 nationwide than any other gym brand. On a run, we'd fuel up near the delivery so the tanks would be full for the next run. We'd then go to Walmart to resupply the truck. Then we'd go the the nearest AF to shower and get any sleep we might need. When rested and if not yet dispatched, we'd lay over in the gym parking lot and work out as time permitted.
This change helped us feel better about ourselves and simply feel better. The job was no longer degrading our health, and gym parking lots do not smell like piss.
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