New here to this site so hope I'm posting this in the right place. I drove over the road, class A, for over 10 years and decided to give it up. The straw that broke the camels back was 'bout getting run into the median by a sleeping driver in Texas, in a big truck I might add. Made a big mistake when I renewed my license the last time and just got a class c as I really wasn't plannning on driving again, mistake on my part. Now driving for a friend of mine, 12' van, that runs about 40 trucks but just sit way too much. No stranger to layovers but less than 2000 miles a week is just not enough for me. I like this expediting thing and want to stay with it but need a company that can keep me moving a bit more. Guess my question is where can I find info on owners looking for company drivers. My credit is not strong enough to buy my own and I really enjoy just driving for someone else. Any advice would be appreciated. Been stuck in Laredo for 5 days and thought I'd do some research. Take care all.
Back to trucking.
- Thread starter Jacanah
- Start date
One of the hardest things to deal with for someone coming into expediting from general trucking, going from a tractor to a van especially, is the sitting. 2000 miles in a van is a good week. To average 2000 miles per week over a year is not gonna happen. 1500 is more realistic, and even that's on the high end for most.
Another one you're going to have to deal with is the "company driver" and "employee" mentality, unless your friend is paying you by the hour. You're an independent contractor out here, even when you are driving someone else's truck. Driving a van for an owner, considering the miles you're likely to get, will not make you anywhere near the kind of money you're hoping for. About half, probably.
Talk to the other drivers down there. The more you talk to them, the more realistic most will eventually become.
Another one you're going to have to deal with is the "company driver" and "employee" mentality, unless your friend is paying you by the hour. You're an independent contractor out here, even when you are driving someone else's truck. Driving a van for an owner, considering the miles you're likely to get, will not make you anywhere near the kind of money you're hoping for. About half, probably.
Talk to the other drivers down there. The more you talk to them, the more realistic most will eventually become.
Thanks for the info Turtle. Patience has never been one of my strong points although I've gotten a little bit better in my later years. There are some other vans here at this flying fish hook that have been here as long as I have so guess I can't complain too much. Actually had a load booked last night. Went to pick it up two hours early and another company had already left with it. Even the broker can't figure out how someone else had all the info on the load and got it loaded on their truck. Last company I drove OTR for I sometimes begged for a layover. Had a lot of 3000 mile weeks, with a loose leaf log book of course, so I guess I'm spoiled on the lotta miles thing. Your response puts this deal in a better perspective. I don't mind sitting a little but a week kind of stretches the nerves a little thin. Take care.