Hello im new to the forums!!

kangar0085 · Jan 10, 2007

Hello to everyone and happy new year! I'm new to the forums and I just want to say hello to everyone. The major debate going on in my head right now is> is it better for tractor owner operators to go with panther and settle for less miles and more money per mile or go with a smaller company offering more miles and less money per mile. If anyone with more experience can offer their opinions it would really be appreciated thank you!

Tennesseahawk · Jan 10, 2007

It depends on how much more or less, more or less

What is the rate at the smaller place and how many miles are they promising?

One other thing. Do you run solo or team? With the flexibility the t/t gives you, and your ability to find your own freight with Panther, that might be your answer right there. Only bad thing with them is you don't have the ability to be creative with your logs if you're solo. Then again, if you are thinking of solo with them it probably doesn't matter to you.

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

ABEJR2004 · Jan 10, 2007

Welcome Kangar0085,

I am in a Straight Truck, and all I will say is Please do your research on the carrier you decide to run with. I was with a larger carrier at a better pay per mile but was not moving enough, went to a smaller carrier and doing much better with more miles at a slightly lower rate and no deductions. I am sure the TT Drivers will give you a good heads up..Welcome again to EO

AbeJr
Stand Tall & Be Proud

kangar0085 · Jan 10, 2007

What is t/t and what carrier are you with now abej...hawk what carrier are you with and are you in a team or solo tractor??

Tennesseahawk · Jan 10, 2007

I'm in a s/t with C&M. They only recently started putting on t/ts again, so I can't tell you much about how you'd do with my company. The good thing about Panther is you only sit as long as you want to, within the HOS. Find your own load, Panther takes 15%, and you're on your way. If I were in your shoes, it would either be Panther or independant. There's too much flexibility with a t/t to be sitting all the time (especially if you had your own trailer with reefer and liftgate).

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

ABEJR2004 · Jan 10, 2007

Hey Kangar,

TT= Tractor Trailer, I am in a D Unit(Straight Truck W/Sleeper)running solo and I am with TranStewart one of the smaller companies.

AbeJr
Stand Tall & Be Proud

kangar0085 · Jan 10, 2007

Thanks..hawk and abej do you guys own the trucks?...I'm very new to the business I've been with panther just under 8 months (I own/operate a van 2006 Chevy Express 3/4 ton extended 2500) and im still in the process of learning the basics of the business...thats the reason I got on these forums. I had a pretty good 2006 but I'm always looking for more money and more home time.

kangar0085 · Jan 10, 2007

Hawk about your company..do they let you fly under the radar when you run out of hours on your log and just let you keep driving??

Tennesseahawk · Jan 10, 2007

I noticed in the Laredo thread that you're in a van, currently. Are you thinking of going t/t (tractor/trailer)?

No, I don't own my own truck, but I will soon (hopefully).

"If I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don't know." - Kansas

kangar0085 · Jan 10, 2007

Yes I'm definitely thinking of jumping in a t/t this year by the end of the year. I'm saving every penny I make in my van to get into a tractor as soon as possible..not that theres anything wrong with being in a van...I just understand theres alot more miles and alot more flexibility in a t/t.

davekc · Jan 10, 2007

Yes I'm definitely thinking of jumping in a t/t this year by the end of the year. I'm saving every penny I make in my van to get into a tractor as soon as possible..not that theres anything wrong with being in a van...I just understand theres alot more miles and alot more flexibility in a t/t.
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It will be like night and day.

Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator

kwexpress · Jan 11, 2007

KW Express
o/o till i die

Dave is right like night and day.

I run a tractor now and a class 8 straight.I keep them both pretty busy.I will say this about a tractor even on runs that are under 100 miles you can get 300-400 easy.thats independant

if you plan on running a tractor expedite and sign on with any company as a single then find out what the minis pay.
they may well indeed pay $1.65 per mile plus a fuel surcharge.
but that 100 mile run is only gonna put 200 bucks in your pocket.
so like t-hawk said If I was running single I would find a company that let me book my own loads and give them the 15%. then do 100 mile runs for 400 and put 340 in my pocket.you may have days that you can do that 2-3 times and still not be more than a couple hundered miles away from home.