Hello fellow expediters, I'm trying to decide whether or not to lease on my own cargo van with Panther Expedited Services (where I have been working for an owner since march of this year) or lease it on with Bolt Express. I have been giving this a go-around in my head for quite some time now, and the only difference that I can see between the two prospective companies is, simply put; size! I think that bolt would be a wise decision, primarily because it is a substantially smaller company than Panther, which means less competition for freight. So, if there are any "happy" bolt Cargo Van drivers out there that wish to share their earnings info with me, I would greatly appreciate it.
any happy bolt cargo van drivers?
- Thread starter blizzard2014
- Start date
Quite an unhappy chap, aye? Are you a disgruntled current or former Panther driver, buddy? Because the pay scale at Bolt is almost the same as the pay scale over at Panther. So, any monetary information that can be provided would be greatly beneficial to me as I make my decision. Lol, dude, money is money whether it comes from Panther or Bolt Express. Additionally "their" earnings will help me guage the pulse and the vitality of the company. Which will, in no uncertain terms, help me decide whether or not Bolt Express has the freight to keep me running...and keep my wallet fat.
buckeyewildman
Seasoned Expediter
havivg worked for Bolt Express for 3 yrs i can only tell you my experience although i quit 3 day ago my experience was good would i go back to bolt yes i would if i decide to go back on the road they treated me fair do they have there problems absolutly but so do all companys i made about 64000 last year in cargo van but not everyone will make that and some might even make more the only advice i can give you is make sure its what you want to do remember it costs money every time you switch companys
buckeyewildman
Seasoned Expediter
they bolt express pays 58% it all comes out to about the same as everyone else
Great post, buckeye. I'm not gonna get too caught up in rate per mile and the subtle differences that exist between the different companies that are out here. Ie... i'm not going to bash panther because I did not do as well as I'd initially hoped to do (there are way too many factors involved in the volatile business of expediting for me to be able to definitively point the finger at Panther)! My only true concern is whether or not I will be running at a fairly consistant pace. That goes for any company...as in the case of Fedexcc; their B-Unit drivers can earn up to a buck and a half per mile...but they sit a lot because they are generally the last company that the shipper calls. And that seems to work for some people! But for me, I want a reasonable rate per mile; a buck or little under if possible along with some consistant miles. That's all that I really care about. Like I said before, I worked for panther for four months (and they do have the freight; I had some decent long loads with them) they just have to many units and I grew weary of competing with everyone else for loads. Now, don't get me wrong, Panther is a great company to work for, and I may be working for them again here. I just wish they would have given me more consistant miles. But, then again, that's why i'm interested in Bolt Express! I figure a smaller company may be better suited for me. Everyone needs to make their own decisions out here and forge their own destiny. And as for me, I think that smaller is better. That's just the direction that i'm currently leaning towards. Thanks for your help...
I have to agree that other's information isn't going to be too useful to you since you don't know their work ethic, selection criteria etc. to know how they compare to you. You also don't know if they are 5th percentile, 50th percentile or 95th percentile in that company even if you do know their numbers. It can be interesting to know and perhaps is better than nothing but not too much. The other side of your "smaller is better for less competition by other units signed on" coin is the smaller customer and freight base that's inherent with them as well. Good luck with whoever you choose.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
look i'm an idiot and i'm stupid buthere's my look on thing, there is a company for everyone. if for some reason you don't think you like panther try it somewhere else.
So, let me get this straight, you have a whopping four months in this biz, and, you are getting weary of competition. I will suggest you have a very, very long row to hoe, that being the facts. If competition is your main concern, you may as well just toss your coin, and go with that. Life'll be good, and you won't have bad imfo to blame. I certainly wouldn't base a choice on what someone else does, when they do it, or, why.
BTW, nothing disgruntled bout me. Life's good, got plenty a freight, jes kill'in time, reading the foolishness on here.
BTW, nothing disgruntled bout me. Life's good, got plenty a freight, jes kill'in time, reading the foolishness on here.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
something else that may help on your descision about panther is to take a piece of paper and write the pros on one side and the cons on the other. if the good things way out the bad you may want to stick around because you already no what to expect. that's how i've handled any new job offer i've gotten. if i thought the company i was working for at the time had more good qualities than bad qualities i stuck around. plus just because a recruiter says you'll make more money with their company doesn't actually mean you will.