As we prepare to begin as team drivers, we're looking at companies to drive for. The current EO news page profiles Con-Way NOW. We’ve talked to drivers who are happy with Con-Way and I don’t mean to take anything away from them at all. But In an industry where seemingly everyone tells you to be wary of what you hear, please help me think this one through.
The article says:
“Con-Way NOW utilizes a 100% independent contractor fleet consisting of cargo vans, straight trucks and tractor-trailers. Fleet size ranges between 300-400 units, depending on time of year and freight needs.”
Is it safe to conclude from this that at one time there may be 400 units and 300 at other times? If so, what is the fate of the 100 independent contractors that make up the difference?
The article says,
“Lori Blaney, Manager of Recruiting for Con-Way NOW adds, ‘The key to success for our owner operators is for them to be in service and ready to run all loads. If they are ready to run - we will run them!’"
But what of the 100? If it is safe to presume they were ready to run, where did they go? If you have 400 units ready to run, and if "...we will run them," why does 400 change to 300 "...depending on time of year and freight needs?"
The article quotes Blaney saying, “We do not overstaff - we bring on owner operators to meet our current business levels."
That works if you are moving from 300 to 400. But if fleet size is adjusted from 400 to 300, “…depending on time of year and freight needs,” is not 400 an overstaffed condition?
Perhaps I’m wrong and Con-Way has never reduced its fleet size. If so, I’ll quickly admit it and abandon this line of questioning. Can anyone tell me, has Con-Way only increased its number of units? Or has Con-Way also shrunk it’s number of units at times?
I don’t begrudge for an instant the right Con-Way NOW has to expand and shrink its fleet. That is simply good business. It enhances profits. It gives the company the ability to talk about how all its CURRENT contractors are always busy.
But I keep wondering, what about the 100?
Having heard from drivers who are very pleased to drive for Con-Way, I’d be willing to drive for Con-Way myself. But before I do, I’d also like to know how to competitively position myself against all other Con-Way drivers so I can be one of the busy 300 and not one of the in-and-out 100.
In other words, what do the 300 Con-Way drivers do that enables them to stay on board and stay busy all the time? Put in another way, what do the 100 Con-Way drivers do or fail to do that results in their departure?
Tips? Suggestions? Comments?
The article says:
“Con-Way NOW utilizes a 100% independent contractor fleet consisting of cargo vans, straight trucks and tractor-trailers. Fleet size ranges between 300-400 units, depending on time of year and freight needs.”
Is it safe to conclude from this that at one time there may be 400 units and 300 at other times? If so, what is the fate of the 100 independent contractors that make up the difference?
The article says,
“Lori Blaney, Manager of Recruiting for Con-Way NOW adds, ‘The key to success for our owner operators is for them to be in service and ready to run all loads. If they are ready to run - we will run them!’"
But what of the 100? If it is safe to presume they were ready to run, where did they go? If you have 400 units ready to run, and if "...we will run them," why does 400 change to 300 "...depending on time of year and freight needs?"
The article quotes Blaney saying, “We do not overstaff - we bring on owner operators to meet our current business levels."
That works if you are moving from 300 to 400. But if fleet size is adjusted from 400 to 300, “…depending on time of year and freight needs,” is not 400 an overstaffed condition?
Perhaps I’m wrong and Con-Way has never reduced its fleet size. If so, I’ll quickly admit it and abandon this line of questioning. Can anyone tell me, has Con-Way only increased its number of units? Or has Con-Way also shrunk it’s number of units at times?
I don’t begrudge for an instant the right Con-Way NOW has to expand and shrink its fleet. That is simply good business. It enhances profits. It gives the company the ability to talk about how all its CURRENT contractors are always busy.
But I keep wondering, what about the 100?
Having heard from drivers who are very pleased to drive for Con-Way, I’d be willing to drive for Con-Way myself. But before I do, I’d also like to know how to competitively position myself against all other Con-Way drivers so I can be one of the busy 300 and not one of the in-and-out 100.
In other words, what do the 300 Con-Way drivers do that enables them to stay on board and stay busy all the time? Put in another way, what do the 100 Con-Way drivers do or fail to do that results in their departure?
Tips? Suggestions? Comments?
