career change to expediting

[misterbill38]

Hey guys (and gals), Ive been looking into the expedite business and can use any help and advice I can get. Ive been working for New Horizons Baking Co for seven years now delivering to McD's in a straight truck and 28ft.TT . I'm home every day by 2o P.M. Sounds great but this is only three days a week. My family is starving. Well, its not that bad yet, but its not good either.
Im willing to make the sacifice to being out for a week or two at a time if needed. A man has to provide one way or another. I just don't know where to start. I've been trying to get info from Panther and Fed-Ex since they are two of the biggest , so I hear. I live in Kenova, WV right at I-64, an hour from I-77 and I-79 and two from I-75. Iknow nothing about buying or leasing or driving for a fleet owner. Anyone who can give there thoughts or advice will be greatly appreciated. Should I make the big change or stay where I am??

 

[DannyD]

I'd need a lil more information b4 any suggestions could be made. I'm not sure how well ya get paid for those 3 days. In expediting if ya were to stay out 5 days my guess is ya'd average $800/week BEFORE expenses. Some make more for sure, but that's all I'd think ya can count on if you're considering changing jobs.

Pro-rate that to 3 days & you'd have about $500/week b4 expenses. Expenses are going to be van payment, insurance, gas, food on the road & a few other things. You'll be sleeping in your truck quite a bit & won't be seeing your family much.

So if you're anywhere near $300 for those 3 days you're working at your current job ya might be better off getting a part time job around what you're already doing. This might not appeal to ya in the least, but running pizzas can be a great 2nd income. I know people think of it as a college kids type job, but if ya get w/ the right company (and in an affluent area) on a per hour basis ya can blow expediting out of the water w/ a lot less expense.

Some people support families doing expediting but most expediters have no kids to support because they're either single or empty nester types. My best friend who's not in expediting made almost the exact same amount as me last year. He actually made a bit more when ya factor in his insurance being paid. Me being single I'm doing ok. Him w/ a wife & kid to support is pretty much behind on every bill he has. In most cases this isn't the type of job that will support a family.

Good luck w/ whatever ya decide,
Danny

 

[LDB]

Based on what I read I'd say expediting may not be the best choice for you. Results and time out go together. One week out then home is poverty, two weeks out then home is low income, three weeks out then home is acceptable income and four or more weeks out then home is very good income. Before anyone jumps all over that with how wrong it is, that's a generality of the usual situation not an absolute. There are a few guys making great money with frequent home time. It's the exception so you shouldn't go into this thinking it's going to happen to you.

If you are driving someone else's truck, and that's highly recommended to begin with, they aren't going to want the truck out 5 or 6 days then sitting home 2 days. That's too large a percentage of idle time. If you are making payments on your own truck that makes it tough to cover expenses for the truck and home.

I'd look into options around home for the other 4 days like pizza delivery (which Danny beat me to), lawn care, Walmart, etc. and see what you could subsidize your current income with. Your time with your family, especially with kids, is irreplaceable and important. It may not be driving but there are ways like those above and others you can track down to do what you need to do and not lose as much of that valuable time. Good luck.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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[misterbill38]

Thanks for the reply. I gross around $210.00 each of the three days and I am on call one day which pays sixty bucks. I usually bring home around 500. It's a good job but is sure is hard to raise three kids with one in college. We do lawn care in the summer which nets around 200 a week but that will soon be gone. Sounds like maybe Walmart for winter. With three kids I would have to make really good money to sacrifice my home time. Thanks to you guys for your advice. May God keep you safe on the highways.