intro and industry questions

[NB Trucker]

Hey gang,
I'm a former OTR driver who has moved to the 'dark side'. I'm a night Extended Coverage Driver manager for one of the nation's largest OTR companies. I've been in the management side of things for about three years now, and while I really enjoy helping my drivers out, I really miss some aspects of the road. Naturally I really enjoy having my time at home with my family though as well, and for now I'm sticking here as I have a few commitments I need to fulfill.

I got into the industry after several years as a road warrior portrait photographer. I was putting 1500+ miles a week on photographing at colleges nation wide. I thought, heck I might as well get paid to drive, instead of driving to get paid. That led to school and a CDL-A and a year OTR experience before I went back into photography again, then into the management side of the TL style freight business.

Eventually I would like to get back over the road, preferably as an expedited o/o. I've been studying here on EO for awhile now, and I have a couple of questions for you experts out there.

The sagest advice I've seen is to go out and be a company driver to get my feet wet, figure out the quirks and such. I can see one large advantage to that; invest time vs money to learn the ins and outs, to see what the job entails.

With that in mind, I'd also like to get 'ready' for going o/o after a suitable amount of time, say 6 months to a year working for someone else. This is pretty much a 5 year plan so to speak, spend the next couple of years saving up for investing in the equipment needed, go work for someone for awhile, then make the transition to o/o.

the Love of My Life (LOML) isn't in a position to go husband/wife team. Can a solo driver make a good income in expediting? I see mostly team operations here on EO, are there solo drivers making a go of it as well?

I see a lot of 'don't go too large or you'll have to log' comments. What are the advantages of the smaller vans, is there 'enough' freight to warrant running a sprinter and not having to log? Are the B or D trucks more efficient/flexible?

Having driven a semi, I have no problems with a large vehicle, or with logging etc... I'm even 'up' on the new Hrs of service, presuming we are still subject to them. I'm also familiar with the Old hrs of service naturally. Would those be assets in this field?

O/O's How do you handle insurance, both for the truck and medical/disability insurance? Do the carriers offer access to their insurance plans on the medical side, or do you have to acquire them on your own?


Thanks for any replies and advice, I look forward to Expediting 101 here on this forum, and I hope to see you out on the roads someday. Please drive carefully and have a great day!

 

[davekc]

Most of the information that you are seeking is available through reading the posts on here.
My personal opinion is to go with a straight truck. They are the most economical to operate with the capacity for available freight.
With regards to health insurance, depends on the company, or owner ect. Most are considerd independent contractors therefore they provide their own coverage. Alot of options there from HSA,group and individual plans.
Davekc

 

[Tennesseahawk]

Being that you're a former OTR driver, I would like to make one problem you guys face. The few OTR drivers I've talked to were used to constantly moving. That's not the case in expediting. There's alot more sitting... sometimes days. I just hope you're not expecting to jump into a truck and constantly be getting runs, one after another. Any company who says you won't be sitting is not being honest.
Good luck to you.

T-hawk

 

[NB Trucker]

I've gathered that. Actually I don't think I'd have a big problem with that, True I'd rather be moving, but since that is how expediting works, I would be able to adjust.
My OTR company, whom I both work for and drove for, we generally try and keep the wheels turning it is true. However I see the revenue/mile on some of those loads and honestly, I don't see the point of some of them. We service a few of the major retail chains, both feeding their Distribution centers and delivering to their stores, those are milk runs, but other freight we haul makes me wonder.
I'm quickly learning that there are down times in expediting, and I'll be sure and go out armed with a library and a computer, between the two of them, plus perhaps some woodworking tools, I'll cope.
My DM when I was a driver was always amazed that I wasn't one to complain if I sat for an hour or three. I just bunked down and read a book. I think I'll manage.
Thanks for your tips! Please drive safely!