Long post, but I need to throw in a little background to get the answers I'm seeking.
Ok, first post here. I have done a few searches, and I am still reading topics as I post this. I am 24 years old, single, I have roughly 2 years T/T experience and hold a class A CDL with air brakes, double/triple and tank endorsements. I've been an owner operator in a semi for a little while (piece of crap truck is why I quit that) and I have 3 older brothers that are all O/O, one with his own authority. So I know a bit about it, but not as far as it pertains to expediting.
I have crunched the numbers, and I can make ends meet as far as bills and food on as little as $250 a week pocket money, if need be. That is all my bills, and no rent (I'd be living in the truck anyways, don't see the point in paying for an apt...) I'd obviously prefer to take home $400-$700 a week, given some weeks are going to be better than others. That's MY end of the spectrum.
Now I'd like to run either a cargo van or a sleeper-straight truck (class D). I think the D unit would be better for me, but I'd be running as a 'company driver' so I'll have to be happy with whatever I can get. Generally speaking, which type gets more freight?
I know about the waiting, and the irregularity of freight. I can keep myself entertained with nothing more than a wireless aircard, my laptop and a local truckstop with maybe a good restaurant nearby.
So given the nature of the industry right now, I'm wondering if I can make decent money in expediting, or if I should stick to the big rigs. I'd much prefer to drive the expediters, if nothing else they're a hellova lot easier to back into a dock. I have no problem being on the road a few months at a time, no g/f, wife or kids to worry about, and have the trucking background.
on the other hand, I'm broke. (red flags just went up, eh?) I don't have much of anything in the bank right now, and I'm hoping I can float by a week or two running for a fleet owner until I can start getting some dollars in the bank. Should I really hold off until I can scrape up $1000 to cushion myself on?
And finally, evaluation/criticism on my expectations from this business. You who are out there and do it every day, based on the info I've given, what would you recommend? (besides more hours spent reading posts on here...just signed up, give me time
)
I thank you for spending 5 minutes reading this overly long post.
~Chris
Ok, first post here. I have done a few searches, and I am still reading topics as I post this. I am 24 years old, single, I have roughly 2 years T/T experience and hold a class A CDL with air brakes, double/triple and tank endorsements. I've been an owner operator in a semi for a little while (piece of crap truck is why I quit that) and I have 3 older brothers that are all O/O, one with his own authority. So I know a bit about it, but not as far as it pertains to expediting.
I have crunched the numbers, and I can make ends meet as far as bills and food on as little as $250 a week pocket money, if need be. That is all my bills, and no rent (I'd be living in the truck anyways, don't see the point in paying for an apt...) I'd obviously prefer to take home $400-$700 a week, given some weeks are going to be better than others. That's MY end of the spectrum.
Now I'd like to run either a cargo van or a sleeper-straight truck (class D). I think the D unit would be better for me, but I'd be running as a 'company driver' so I'll have to be happy with whatever I can get. Generally speaking, which type gets more freight?
I know about the waiting, and the irregularity of freight. I can keep myself entertained with nothing more than a wireless aircard, my laptop and a local truckstop with maybe a good restaurant nearby.
So given the nature of the industry right now, I'm wondering if I can make decent money in expediting, or if I should stick to the big rigs. I'd much prefer to drive the expediters, if nothing else they're a hellova lot easier to back into a dock. I have no problem being on the road a few months at a time, no g/f, wife or kids to worry about, and have the trucking background.
on the other hand, I'm broke. (red flags just went up, eh?) I don't have much of anything in the bank right now, and I'm hoping I can float by a week or two running for a fleet owner until I can start getting some dollars in the bank. Should I really hold off until I can scrape up $1000 to cushion myself on?
And finally, evaluation/criticism on my expectations from this business. You who are out there and do it every day, based on the info I've given, what would you recommend? (besides more hours spent reading posts on here...just signed up, give me time
)I thank you for spending 5 minutes reading this overly long post.
~Chris
