Expediters Going Hungry, For Real

[x06col]

Well, I appreciate all the banter for this saga. It was not directed at any individual, group or event. If you have had similar life experiences, it's shurly a coincidence.

All i'm typing to both sides of the coin. Jes get along an be the best you can be, at what you do, and DON'T provide any surprises to the party that picks you outa that box of chocolats. As an example,, I read about a fella that had an infraction with the Polzi a long time ago, something like fifteen years, and had not resolved it, until forced to by a collar it seems. Now that is some poor judgement. Any way, how'd you like to have that fella on a nice weekend run to the west coast, with a brand new customers, hot, hot freight?? And have the collar happen in BF NE<TX<or NM where there is little prayer to get him rescued and have a successful outcome. It happens a lot, because they don't necessarily care about the ramifications of their actions. Mostly because, It's just "friggin freight", an there will be more.

I'll catch you on anuther subject one day. But now, the vacation is over, I got sleep to get, an truck'in to do for a few days, and don't anticipate wasting any of that valuable time typ'in on here.

 

[arkjarhead]

were you running team and each making 15% or single and getting 15%,you sure were working cheap,either way,I must be paying to much

I don't know what you pay Steve and it's none of my business, but when I left the road I was getting paid for every mile and I wasn't about to run for less than .36 a mile plus my tarp pay or extra drop. Simple as that. I hear people telling O/Os to say no to cheap freight drivers need to say no to low wages. Isn't it the same principal?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Joe...I believe it's the same two headed dragon....if O/O's don't want cheap frieght then they shouldn't pay cheap to drivers.

 

[Critter Truckin]

In closing this verse, we all need to know what our interpretation of "good" is. And i'm sure critters new owner after a couple weeks placed the team and equipment out of service, footed the motel bill for a couple days, so he could visit family.

Let us clear this mess up. The whole reason for us shutting the truck down was that it was the weekend and the place we were dropping that monstrosity of a forklift about 2 miles from where you decided to stop, Colonel. I saw this as an opportunity to see my son. At the time, my son lived in Atlanta and we were about an hour and change from there. It was your idea to stop there. I'm sorry that my boy was such a thorn in your side... especially when he was grabbin coolies for you out of the ice filled sink in the bathroom.

Additionally, Those of you contemplating getting involved with an individual who's ink is barely dry on the CDL, and allow them to learn on your dime, don't. Your continuing education bill, will be sizable.

That was a call that only you had to make. Sure, I only had a grand total of 5 months or so behind the wheel of a truck, but that was entirely up to you. Had you said no, I'm sure that another opportunity would have shown itself to me.

As for 30%, whatever. When Larry and I drove together, it was 30%. When I rode with you, I was splitting fuel costs with you and we were "splitting" 50%. So that would add up to 25% to each driver minus fuel. I think for one load, I made a whopping $16 more than if you had paid for fuel. As far as I look at it, you got off cheaper than most.

And speaking of the ink not being dry. My girlfriend came to this industry after 9 years of doing something else. She only had a permit when we started with this owner/carrier. Recently, the carrier's president told our owner they needed more teams like us. And in November, we were named straight truck drivers of the month. So I guess having someone with no experience in the truck doesn't necessarily mean they can't do a good job.

 

[jpalmer]

It seems to me that the people who fail in this and any other business have an extremely high standerd of living....

The More debt you carry the more risk you have. If income goes down. your debt stays there.....That was your choice to buy all them toys.

If a guy is making 6 grand a month in expediting and has 6100 a month in bills. The business isn't failing him. He's failing at math....

I've owned a courier business for 4 years......My first year i slept in my car. Because i knew i couldn't afford an apartment....if your not willing to go out of your comfort zone. a business isn't for you. You need a job.........Expediting is a business......

If somebody isn't paying you, You need to find a new company....

Trucking or expediting isn't really a family friendly business. but its great for a single person to make some money........My uncle works as an O/O in a Semi and he makes 15 grand a month. But he can't afford the bills. Because of credit cards, Cars, and a mortgage.......

I have a Very important Rule, DON'T CARRY DEBT....

i saw somewhere there is a 115% turnover rate in trucking....So there is always gonna be work out there......

If your overhead is only insurance and gas, You'll be willing to take them lower fee loads. That other guys turn down because they can't afford the run.......

Them guys who sit around and wimper cause they can't afford the runs or the payments, Shouldn't be in the business, and they won't be for long..........

JP

 

[x06col]

Yep, jp, overhead outa the truck gets many of em. But, they can't survive doing anything else either.

Critter, that was a fine boy. Did an exceptional job coolie tending. Was apparent he had a bit of experience, and some good coaching.

Congrats on your award. But, the true test of a winner, is when they back them up. Let us know when you get the second or third, so we'll know this one wasn't a lark, or, "luck".

 

[Tennesseahawk]

JPalmer... I like your post until you mentioned taking low paying runs. Tell me something. Are you in business to pay for your truck? I'm not. I, like many others, run to make a living. In other words, a job. We're also out here to make a profit. In other words, a business. Some are out here to see the country. In other words, a hobby. And yet, some do this by taking low pay loads, in order to put fuel in their tanks, so they can do it again tomorrow. In other words, stupid!

I'm guessing it'll be them guys who'll be out of biness soon. Cheap freight hurts the biz. I can't see anyone bragging about finding freight for $1 a mile.

 

[ATeam]

jpalmer makes a good point when he says, "If your overhead is only insurance and gas, You'll be willing to take them lower fee loads. That other guys turn down because they can't afford the run......."

I don't think he is saying to take cheap freight. I believe he is making the point that a low-paying run can be profitable for some owner-operators and not profitable for others. Not wanting to put words in his mouth, let's ask. Is that your point, jpalmer?

I see nothing wrong or out of the ordinary with the fact that one owner-operator can run profitably at lower rates than others can. The expedited freight industry does not owe anyone a living, fancy truck, a nice house or braces for the kids. Like any business, expediting is not a job. It is a self-employed endeavor that offers the opportunity to make money, not the right to do so.

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Well la-de-da! What do ppl get into business for in the first place? If you said to make a profit, you got the right answer!

MOST of us have a house or apartment to pay for. For some of us, it's the only income in our household. The ppl who run for minimum so they can pay for fuel and a couple Pilot hotdogs are NOT helping trucking. They are just plain lazy! More often than not, they don't take pride in themselves, or their vehicle. And IMO, they are worse to this industry than welfare leeches are to this country. And the shippers who don't care what their freight goes on... same thing.

Do we have a right to make money? Not unless you sit on your arse and pop out babies in the name of socialism.

God Bless America!!!

And Phil... even tho I disagree with you most of the time, at least you have a standard you stick to, even tho you don't have bills like most of us. Business ppl without standards aren't doing anybody any good, except those with low standards. And we all suffer, in low rates and more regulation BECAUSE of those with no standards.

 

[greg334]

This is getting good!

 

[arkjarhead]

I gotta agree with you T-Hawk. Trucking as an O/O used to be a great way to make a living. My Grandpaw raised 3 kids doing it. Lived in his own paid for house, paid for my mom to take piano lessons, bought her a piano to practice on at home, paid for toys, and my Grandmaw to have a nice car to ride in. Mainly Buicks. He always kept a nice Chevy pickup. Bought all 3 kids their first vehicle. Plus he had a home life. He was home every weekend. Try doing that now. Heck I bet the rates aren't a whole lot more now than what they were when my mom was a girl in the late 60s and 70s. If you look at it compared with inflation what the rate is in current money would be a lot less.

 

[ATeam]

Well la-de-da! What do ppl get into business for in the first place? If you said to make a profit, you got the right answer!

<snip>

Business ppl without standards aren't doing anybody any good, except those with low standards. And we all suffer, in low rates and more regulation BECAUSE of those with no standards.

Help me understand what you are saying. Is business about profits? Or is business about people living by a standard, not that they set, but that you set for them and judge them by?

If an expediter can serve shippers better by running freight more profitably than you can at a given rate, are you saying they should not haul the freight because of the standards you believe they should uphold?

If a competitor approaches a FedEx Custom Critical customer and offers to provide the same services at lower rates, should the shipper decline because the competing contractors have lower standards for pay?

If someone said you shoud buy your next TV set from the store that sells it for $200 more than Wal-Mart because the store owner has standards that Wal-Mart does not have, would you pay $200 more for the TV?

 

[RichM]

I think the A Team has lost touch with reality. A Team does not support a household or has children needing shoes etc. Easy to set high standards when no obligations need to be met. Of course this business is about profits. You can have all the high standards you think are great but when no checks arrive what happens to those standards.

 

[davekc]

If one needs that dose of reality, just go and check the classifieds from the last several days. See a WG'er that sank and is selling his truck and all his WG supplies in a seperate add.
Suprisingly, according to his ad, he only used the items a few times. What a waste of money.
That is probably a good example of a poor return on ones investment.

 

[ATeam]

What ad are you talking about DaveKC? A link would be helpful.

 

[davekc]

This is the WG supplies
Straight Trucks : WG Equipment, Load bars, blankets, Pallet Jack etc

And the truck
Straight Trucks : EASY TO REFINANCE = 48 MONTHS @ $1122 A MONTH

If that truck only has 700,000 on a 8 year old truck, that truck has been doing some sitting. But that explains the sale.

 

[blackwood666]

Times do get tough I suggest for those who can't manage money, this the wrong business for you, while you are busy worrying I am moving to the frieght areas and eating my usual steak and lobsters, along with the occassional entertainment stops and blackjack, this job is the best vacation job I could ever ask for I travel and make great money, gamble, look at women and to think a free-and-clear-no payment E-350 van with 230k hell if i had my friends 1000.00 sprinter payment I am sure I could make it however perhaps a few less couch dances and or few less hands of Blackjack.
Get in a good position stash some cash and you can have a fun time out here!
When you send that money home remember you might need to go to El Paso Friday so be prepared!
As I have always said people get in over their heads too often
perhaps while the Liberals are creating a SOCIAL PROGRAM they can create a program to help me pay my cell phone bill, and perhaps pay for my car.... oh raise taxes they got that in mind too!
WORK HARD PLAY HARD FIGHT LIBERALS!
But always be prepared for that trip!

 

[ATeam]

Thank you for the links. I guess before I made assumptions as to why the truck and equipment is for sale, I would ask the seller to explain exactly what "business problems" mean in the ad. Same with your assumption about the truck sitting. We do not even know from the ad if this is a one-owner truck.

That is not to say the business did not work out for the seller. It may very well be that this WG driver failed. But before rushing in to negative spin the man's business, and by extension, the White Glove opportunity, wouldn't it be best to determine the facts first?

I happen to know of a number of WG trucks that are going strong. I also know of some ex-Panther owner-operators that did less well than they set out to do (putting it kindly).

With any carrier and with any truck configuration, just because some succeed, it does not follow that all will. And just because some fail, it also does not follow that all will.

 

[davekc]

I think you misunderstood my post. People fail at times at every carrier for one reason or another.
What I was looking at was the amount of stated times he used his WG equipment, and the milage on the truck. Those items having little to do with whether he is a first or third owner of the truck.
As he stated, he had "business problems". I agree, that could mean a lot of things. One thing for sure, it wasn't making too much money.

 

[FIS53]

Interesting thread. But this business is not the hardest to learn. Bsically it is P&D but with only one load at a time (usually) rather than a route. So less to learn for running. But there is still lots to learn and first thing is to minimize expenses and maximize profits, hence business sense. Another thing to learn is to make yourself more appealing to dispatch so they want to use you. How to do this???

Well for one thing there are those who make money even during bad times in the industry. How??? Well for those newbies out there, look at the top money earners and see what they are doing and how. Now if you don't have the equipment don't worry about that part too much. Look at everything they do and learn. Emulate if you will as the top earners are doing something right not only in equipment but otherwise as well. For me it is show the company I want the money and I do what it takes to be noticed and to perform so they know I'm reliable, available and perform even with difficult and error prone calls. This makes me noticed and I get the calls. Samething for others out there. They are doing something to be in dispatches sights for loads. So go for it and do what it takes.

This business can be learned in a year easily if you look at it and think about things. Just because you don't have the big truck or the large sleeper doesn't mean you can't make money. I know a fella with a low load capacity (weight wise), small bunk and small motor. He makes money as he has kept his overhead as low as possible and gets great mileage due to specs of the truck. So now he can manage to make more per run and even take a lower paying run and make something as well. I can do similar. There is not one easy answer to making money in this business. It takes a bit of planning and thought into how to do it and in some cases luck. But one thing that is critical and does make many of us... ATTITUDE. This goes a lot further than almost anything else and it comes across the phone when you talk to people like a lighthouse to a ship at sea. Right attitude, right thinking, right planning, makes a broker do it right and make money even in the slow times.
Rob