B
Brisco
Guest
Hey All,
Well, after spending 9 plus years reading this board on a regular basis, I have finally decided to join to get involved and ask questions here and there.
Some of you here may recognize my "user" name as I am very active on many other "trucking" related boards. Yes, I am the "Brisco" from the Hotshot boards, the LTL boards, the RV boards, as well as a few other off-the-wall trucking boards.
Quick background on my trucking experience. I spent many years as an "Independant Contractor" running Automotive Logistical "Parts" routes of the DFW area throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Lousiana, and New Mexico driving 1 ton Pickups pulling 20-24ft enclosed trailers and up to 14-28ft Box Trucks. I have been an "RV Transporter" for 3 different companies as an O/O delivering new RV's out of Indiana to dealerships all over the country. I was a "FEMA" driver for a while after Katrina hit driving a FEMA F350 delivering FEMA trailers all over the Southeast. I have also ran "local" auto parts delivery routes all throughout the DFW area for Automotive Dealerships as an "Independant Contractor" a time or two.
Oh Yeah, I also ran a "Federal Reserve" route throughout the North Texas area picking up and delivering Federal Reserve documents and paperwork to and from Banks for about a year.
I just wanted to cover that little bit to say Yes, I have been "behind the windshield" of a truck for well over 10 years now and fully understand what an "Independant Contractor" does. "Expediting" is just another entity of the "O/O - Independant Contractor" industry when it comes to driving related careers and ones needs to understanding exactly what a "Small Business Owner" is up against when contracting their time and vehicles out to other companies as well as the risks and costs that are involved.
Why have I been "Lurking" for 9 years here?? Well, sit back and enjoy a long story while I explain why and tell some of my experiences with you guys and also tell you why my decision to finally join came about today. (If you have to go to the bathroom, make an important phone, or heading out on a dispatched call, or so on, read this later, OK!
)
About 9-10 years ago when I was doing local deliveries for an automotive paint store Panther II ran a little 3 line ad in the Dallas Morning News employment ads. I can't remember the wording, but it said something like "Cargo Vans needed for Nationwide Deliveries", or something to that matter. It had a phone number to call so I called it. I talked to one of their recruiters and he explained to me that they have cargo vans that pick up and deliver stuff from point A to B all throughout the country. He really couldn't elaborate on what it was or what it might be that I would be delivering. During that first conversation he was vague and really kept emphasizing that his 2 top "Cargo Van" drivers the year prior grossed $101,000 and $86,000 respectively. I kept asking "you mean you're going to pay me XXX amount of money to drive a Cargo Van out there on the open road while traveling and seeing parts of the country I may never get to see otherwise???" He kept answering Yep, that's what we do. I also asked since they were up there in Ohio and I'm all the way down here in Texas is there going to be work for me in Texas. One of his answers was Yes, they are starting to grow in Texas.
Well, me not knowing what "Expediting" was, and me wanting to get out there and do some traveling, I was hooked. A little skeptical, but hooked. The recruiter then sent me an application packet by mail. When I got it I was like, what the hell?? That application was like 27 pages of stuff I had to fill out. It took me 2 weeks to get all the information needed to cross every T and dot every I on that application. I did it though, this looked like an opportunity of a lifetime. BUT, my skepticism got the best of me a couple of days later. When I finished that application I called the guy and said "It's ready" and asked how he wanted me to send it back to him. He asked that I fax it to him as quick as I can. So, I faxed all 27 pages to him from the paint store I was contracting with (cool manager). It was not even an hour later when he called me back and said "Application Looks Good", you're hired. When can you start???
Well, skepticism kicked in hard right then and there. It took me 2 weeks to fill that app out and they hired me in less than an hour from receiving my app. No verifications, no background checks, nothing. I then started my "online" quest to learn everything I could about "Expediting". (I wasn't an "internet junkie" as I am now back then) I found Panther II's website and learned about them. I found their "Territory Coverage" map they used to have and they only covered like 9-10 northeastern states, no Texas at all. And I found this little fledgeling website/discussion board called "Expeditorsonline.com".
Man, can I say this place has grown over the years!!! I remember when it was just Lawrence and maybe 5 advertisers on this website and maybe 20-30 posters on an antiquated discussion board whos format sucked when it came to posting and reading threads. Kudo's to Lawrence for switching it to this format, although it took him quite a few years to do it.
Anyways, after finally realizing that "Expediting" is just another form of "Courier" driving that covers state to state driving instead of inner city driving, and knowing that local courier companies advertise $1,000 a week when reality is maybe $3-$400 a week, I came to the conclusion that the guy at Panther was full of pits and decided that it would not be in my best interest to pursue it any further. Two things helped me in that decision. One being that Texas wasn't even highlighted on Panthers coverage map, and two being anybody(recruiters) that push $$$ figures over work involved helped me make my decision easy. Plus, I had never never seen a "Panther II" van anywhere on any of these freeways back then. My chances of ever getting home in a "Cargo Van" were slim and none back then.
So, I went and did other "OTR" type of work over the years. BUT, I have been reading and keeping up with this board ever since. Yes, it has been 9-10 years since I found this place and I have seen this board grow tremendously. This IS the mecca when it comes to information one wants and is seeking when it comes to Expediting. Again, hats off to Lawrence for keeping this thing going.
Now the history is covered and to the reason I finally decided to join.
There is a large Expediting company that is currently recruiting on our local internet job boards. This expediting company is based out of Chicago and is not an advertised vendor or supporter of EOL. On the other hand, they once tryed to start up a website that was in direct competiton with EOL and they claim to be the "Foremost Authority" when it comes to expediting knowledge and information on the internet. Their "EOL" type of website is still up, but the information on it is real outdated and their links to discussion boards and classified ads are linked to this board. I am not referrencing their name because I don't know why they are not supporters here, but I am sure Lawrence knows who I am referring too.
They are advertising .80-.90 + f/s for Cargo Vans (B) and only $231 a month contractors fees a month. (they do not use q-coms, but do require one to get their own "Nextel" 2 way radio service) No Haz-Mat or Canada runs.
I have been watching all you guys rates drop and drop for the last year-year 1/2 and am wondering if this company is trying the "blow smoke up *** routine" that Panther tried with me years ago with their advertised rates and are stocking up on inexperienced Cargo Van drivers. Their coverage area on their map does include Texas and just about every state straight north of Texas and to the east coast.
I have been off for about 6 months now. I really want to give "Expediting" a try in a Cargo Van someday. Reason I want to go with a Cargo Van is that I really don't want to mess with DOT regulations, scale houses, logging, and so on. I've been down that road as an RV Hauler. As an O/O, there's just too much to lose when it comes to what a scale house can find wrong at any given time.
I know people are saying "Don't Get into Expediting" right now, of which I fully understand. But, I have been watching you guys activity pick up here a lot lately. Could this be the calm before the storm? Is freight picking back up as the economy is getting stronger? Are the Cargo Vans that have been lost due to poor freight rates and poor money management going to be replaced in these carriers fleets any time soon? Is this one company that is advertising down here in DFW growing again and truely need drivers based here in the DFW area? Many questions, know what I mean.
I would feel comfortable giving Expediting a try now. Over the last 5-6-7 years Expediting is becoming a staple in the trucking industry down here in Texas. I see PII Vans and S/T's. I see Fedex Vans, S/T's and E Units all the time. I see a Bolt Van here and there. I have seen Express 1 vans, and even a Tri-State van. Expediting is growing down here in Texas, I have witnessed it.
Even at todays rates and minimal freight, are there any companies besides this one I was "referring" to needing "Cargo Vans" out there that will get me back here to Texas every 2-3 weeks?
I am financially secure with that "second" income that may be needed to get over this "Hump" til freight takes off full force again. My "Fixed Expenses" here at home are well below the $1K level. (no mortgage payments, wife, or those "Kids" to feed) I can easily get a 12 ft Spartan Van if anyones hiring. (4 ft bunkhouse with "TALL" 2 pallet freight area) I easily have 3-4-5-6 month operating expenses til freight picks up full force, so on. I do have a Passport and Pass Card and don't mind Canadian runs. I do have a "C-CDL" and I do not wish to haul Haz-Mat at all. I know some of you say "get it" so that you will be available for all loads, but IMO, it's not worth it for that 1 load out of 30 that may come up.
Now, don't think I finally joined after lurking for all these years just to "beg for a job", OK. It's not like that at all. I just have this feeling that Expediting may be coming out of it's slump and with the mass exodus of cargo vans that expediting has experienced over the last year or so that this may be the time to get in on the ground floor finally. I am pretty good on these 'intuitions" also. I had a similar feeling back in 2007 when diesel started hitting $3.19-$3.39 a gallon when I was running RV's out of Indiana. Something told me to "Get Off The Road Now" before the pit hit the fan, and I did. Sure enough, diesel hit $5.00 a gallon and RV Haulers left and right lost their ashes not only due to diesel prices, but also due to the RV industry dying out as a whole.
I finally joined just to say "Hey", I'm out here in Texas and know your industry like the back of my hand. If there's a recruiter reading this thinking I can keep this guy busy for a while, then my joining may pay off. If not, I'll still be around and when that time comes I'm sure some recruiter out there will remember this looooong boring post and say, "Let's give that Nutt a try".
There's just a few things I want to do while I still can. I want to see Niagra Falls. I want to experience NYC. I'd like to try some Boston Clam Chowder in Boston itself. I'd like to try some fresh Maine lobster. I want to see all 4 Great Lakes. I'd like to tell someone I drove "South" to get into Canada. I'd like to wake up with 3 feet of snow outside someday. I really want away from this TEXAS HEAT from May til November, etc, etc, etc.
Thanks for the long read. Comments, good and bad are welcome. I can give it just as well as some of you can, so look out.
Later!
Brisco
Well, after spending 9 plus years reading this board on a regular basis, I have finally decided to join to get involved and ask questions here and there.
Some of you here may recognize my "user" name as I am very active on many other "trucking" related boards. Yes, I am the "Brisco" from the Hotshot boards, the LTL boards, the RV boards, as well as a few other off-the-wall trucking boards.
Quick background on my trucking experience. I spent many years as an "Independant Contractor" running Automotive Logistical "Parts" routes of the DFW area throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Lousiana, and New Mexico driving 1 ton Pickups pulling 20-24ft enclosed trailers and up to 14-28ft Box Trucks. I have been an "RV Transporter" for 3 different companies as an O/O delivering new RV's out of Indiana to dealerships all over the country. I was a "FEMA" driver for a while after Katrina hit driving a FEMA F350 delivering FEMA trailers all over the Southeast. I have also ran "local" auto parts delivery routes all throughout the DFW area for Automotive Dealerships as an "Independant Contractor" a time or two.
Oh Yeah, I also ran a "Federal Reserve" route throughout the North Texas area picking up and delivering Federal Reserve documents and paperwork to and from Banks for about a year.
I just wanted to cover that little bit to say Yes, I have been "behind the windshield" of a truck for well over 10 years now and fully understand what an "Independant Contractor" does. "Expediting" is just another entity of the "O/O - Independant Contractor" industry when it comes to driving related careers and ones needs to understanding exactly what a "Small Business Owner" is up against when contracting their time and vehicles out to other companies as well as the risks and costs that are involved.
Why have I been "Lurking" for 9 years here?? Well, sit back and enjoy a long story while I explain why and tell some of my experiences with you guys and also tell you why my decision to finally join came about today. (If you have to go to the bathroom, make an important phone, or heading out on a dispatched call, or so on, read this later, OK!
) About 9-10 years ago when I was doing local deliveries for an automotive paint store Panther II ran a little 3 line ad in the Dallas Morning News employment ads. I can't remember the wording, but it said something like "Cargo Vans needed for Nationwide Deliveries", or something to that matter. It had a phone number to call so I called it. I talked to one of their recruiters and he explained to me that they have cargo vans that pick up and deliver stuff from point A to B all throughout the country. He really couldn't elaborate on what it was or what it might be that I would be delivering. During that first conversation he was vague and really kept emphasizing that his 2 top "Cargo Van" drivers the year prior grossed $101,000 and $86,000 respectively. I kept asking "you mean you're going to pay me XXX amount of money to drive a Cargo Van out there on the open road while traveling and seeing parts of the country I may never get to see otherwise???" He kept answering Yep, that's what we do. I also asked since they were up there in Ohio and I'm all the way down here in Texas is there going to be work for me in Texas. One of his answers was Yes, they are starting to grow in Texas.
Well, me not knowing what "Expediting" was, and me wanting to get out there and do some traveling, I was hooked. A little skeptical, but hooked. The recruiter then sent me an application packet by mail. When I got it I was like, what the hell?? That application was like 27 pages of stuff I had to fill out. It took me 2 weeks to get all the information needed to cross every T and dot every I on that application. I did it though, this looked like an opportunity of a lifetime. BUT, my skepticism got the best of me a couple of days later. When I finished that application I called the guy and said "It's ready" and asked how he wanted me to send it back to him. He asked that I fax it to him as quick as I can. So, I faxed all 27 pages to him from the paint store I was contracting with (cool manager). It was not even an hour later when he called me back and said "Application Looks Good", you're hired. When can you start???
Well, skepticism kicked in hard right then and there. It took me 2 weeks to fill that app out and they hired me in less than an hour from receiving my app. No verifications, no background checks, nothing. I then started my "online" quest to learn everything I could about "Expediting". (I wasn't an "internet junkie" as I am now back then) I found Panther II's website and learned about them. I found their "Territory Coverage" map they used to have and they only covered like 9-10 northeastern states, no Texas at all. And I found this little fledgeling website/discussion board called "Expeditorsonline.com".
Man, can I say this place has grown over the years!!! I remember when it was just Lawrence and maybe 5 advertisers on this website and maybe 20-30 posters on an antiquated discussion board whos format sucked when it came to posting and reading threads. Kudo's to Lawrence for switching it to this format, although it took him quite a few years to do it.
Anyways, after finally realizing that "Expediting" is just another form of "Courier" driving that covers state to state driving instead of inner city driving, and knowing that local courier companies advertise $1,000 a week when reality is maybe $3-$400 a week, I came to the conclusion that the guy at Panther was full of pits and decided that it would not be in my best interest to pursue it any further. Two things helped me in that decision. One being that Texas wasn't even highlighted on Panthers coverage map, and two being anybody(recruiters) that push $$$ figures over work involved helped me make my decision easy. Plus, I had never never seen a "Panther II" van anywhere on any of these freeways back then. My chances of ever getting home in a "Cargo Van" were slim and none back then.
So, I went and did other "OTR" type of work over the years. BUT, I have been reading and keeping up with this board ever since. Yes, it has been 9-10 years since I found this place and I have seen this board grow tremendously. This IS the mecca when it comes to information one wants and is seeking when it comes to Expediting. Again, hats off to Lawrence for keeping this thing going.
Now the history is covered and to the reason I finally decided to join.
There is a large Expediting company that is currently recruiting on our local internet job boards. This expediting company is based out of Chicago and is not an advertised vendor or supporter of EOL. On the other hand, they once tryed to start up a website that was in direct competiton with EOL and they claim to be the "Foremost Authority" when it comes to expediting knowledge and information on the internet. Their "EOL" type of website is still up, but the information on it is real outdated and their links to discussion boards and classified ads are linked to this board. I am not referrencing their name because I don't know why they are not supporters here, but I am sure Lawrence knows who I am referring too.
They are advertising .80-.90 + f/s for Cargo Vans (B) and only $231 a month contractors fees a month. (they do not use q-coms, but do require one to get their own "Nextel" 2 way radio service) No Haz-Mat or Canada runs.
I have been watching all you guys rates drop and drop for the last year-year 1/2 and am wondering if this company is trying the "blow smoke up *** routine" that Panther tried with me years ago with their advertised rates and are stocking up on inexperienced Cargo Van drivers. Their coverage area on their map does include Texas and just about every state straight north of Texas and to the east coast.
I have been off for about 6 months now. I really want to give "Expediting" a try in a Cargo Van someday. Reason I want to go with a Cargo Van is that I really don't want to mess with DOT regulations, scale houses, logging, and so on. I've been down that road as an RV Hauler. As an O/O, there's just too much to lose when it comes to what a scale house can find wrong at any given time.
I know people are saying "Don't Get into Expediting" right now, of which I fully understand. But, I have been watching you guys activity pick up here a lot lately. Could this be the calm before the storm? Is freight picking back up as the economy is getting stronger? Are the Cargo Vans that have been lost due to poor freight rates and poor money management going to be replaced in these carriers fleets any time soon? Is this one company that is advertising down here in DFW growing again and truely need drivers based here in the DFW area? Many questions, know what I mean.
I would feel comfortable giving Expediting a try now. Over the last 5-6-7 years Expediting is becoming a staple in the trucking industry down here in Texas. I see PII Vans and S/T's. I see Fedex Vans, S/T's and E Units all the time. I see a Bolt Van here and there. I have seen Express 1 vans, and even a Tri-State van. Expediting is growing down here in Texas, I have witnessed it.
Even at todays rates and minimal freight, are there any companies besides this one I was "referring" to needing "Cargo Vans" out there that will get me back here to Texas every 2-3 weeks?
I am financially secure with that "second" income that may be needed to get over this "Hump" til freight takes off full force again. My "Fixed Expenses" here at home are well below the $1K level. (no mortgage payments, wife, or those "Kids" to feed) I can easily get a 12 ft Spartan Van if anyones hiring. (4 ft bunkhouse with "TALL" 2 pallet freight area) I easily have 3-4-5-6 month operating expenses til freight picks up full force, so on. I do have a Passport and Pass Card and don't mind Canadian runs. I do have a "C-CDL" and I do not wish to haul Haz-Mat at all. I know some of you say "get it" so that you will be available for all loads, but IMO, it's not worth it for that 1 load out of 30 that may come up.
Now, don't think I finally joined after lurking for all these years just to "beg for a job", OK. It's not like that at all. I just have this feeling that Expediting may be coming out of it's slump and with the mass exodus of cargo vans that expediting has experienced over the last year or so that this may be the time to get in on the ground floor finally. I am pretty good on these 'intuitions" also. I had a similar feeling back in 2007 when diesel started hitting $3.19-$3.39 a gallon when I was running RV's out of Indiana. Something told me to "Get Off The Road Now" before the pit hit the fan, and I did. Sure enough, diesel hit $5.00 a gallon and RV Haulers left and right lost their ashes not only due to diesel prices, but also due to the RV industry dying out as a whole.
I finally joined just to say "Hey", I'm out here in Texas and know your industry like the back of my hand. If there's a recruiter reading this thinking I can keep this guy busy for a while, then my joining may pay off. If not, I'll still be around and when that time comes I'm sure some recruiter out there will remember this looooong boring post and say, "Let's give that Nutt a try".
There's just a few things I want to do while I still can. I want to see Niagra Falls. I want to experience NYC. I'd like to try some Boston Clam Chowder in Boston itself. I'd like to try some fresh Maine lobster. I want to see all 4 Great Lakes. I'd like to tell someone I drove "South" to get into Canada. I'd like to wake up with 3 feet of snow outside someday. I really want away from this TEXAS HEAT from May til November, etc, etc, etc.
Thanks for the long read. Comments, good and bad are welcome. I can give it just as well as some of you can, so look out.
Later!
Brisco
