Hello All!
I am new to Expediting... Meaning I have never driven expedite and am looking to get into the business.
I am 32, female, CDL A but have most of my commercial experience driving CDL B. ( I was a school bus driver for YEARS.) Never failed a drug test, have tons of defensive driving, can pass a criminal background check.
Hey there.
My questions are to those who may read this post...
1.) Why is it so hard to find expediting jobs solo? Without buying your own truck?
First off think lifestyle.
The reason was already mentioned, owners and companies want teams even though teams are sometimes selective and the ‘dispatch’ systems are designed to help correct this by offering incentives for short runs or in the case of FedEx competing between trucks for runs – a questionable practice.
2.) Why can't companies team up solo drivers in the same area looking to do expedite?
There seems to be a liability with that idea and beside it isn’t their job. You know as a bus driver that there are people who just don’t get along so imagine having two people who are living in a 300 cu/ft box in strange places for days at a time. It is hard enough for married people to do this, so imagine strangers. Got a sister or brother who would go on the road with you?
3.) How is the percent rate usually figured? ( I was talking to a gentleman about expedite, he said the company he works for pays 45% he pays 15% to the drivers, the drivers pay fuel, QC and other expenses...etc.)
Each arrangement is different as much as each owner. There are owners who actually pay well, and people actually make their entire “career” driving for owners. While O/Os do sometimes take a back seat to fleet owners with some companies and don’t seem to do as well as they should.
[4.) How does insurance figure in with drivers if they work for a O/O and not the company directly?
Shouldn’t. Maybe workman’s comp or what ever it is called.
5.) If you do decide to purchase your own vehicle, is it through the company? Or outside sales?
I think only one company offered arrangements for purchase but I wouldn’t touch that. You purchase the truck from outside the company. Some companies want new equipment, while others don’t care. I side with the latter, because the owner is responsible for the truck, not the company.
6.) ANY recruiters who may read this, laugh at me and decide, " Hey, this chick seems professional enough, I might have a job for her..", I scream " YESSS!! CALL ME, or email me at your preference.."
They do read here, wish they would get more involved but alas they don’t.
Please let me know... I AM VERY interested in driving expedite. My work career looks like this... drive, drive, drop off, pickup, drive and drive some more, until I moved to Tennessee and have only the oppurtunity to work in a factory sweating my female kahoni's off.... I am a driver, but don't like the big rigs... (I am way out of my comfort range with them.)
This isn’t a job or a career, but a lifestyle. You don’t drive, drive and drop off then pickup. It is more like wait, wait, wait, drive, pickup, drive, drop off, drive, wait, wait ... wait some more. Unlike mainstream trucking where you will get 2500 miles in a week just because you have 48/53 feet of space and have a pulse, this is ALL about being in the right place at the right time. Some of the skills, like relocation skills no longer apply because things change and it is more or less luck that drives a lot of us now. Skills being frugal and professionalism matter more.
As for fleet ownership, I would be careful for what you wish for. You have to first get into a lot of good financial habits, like knowing about contracts and so on. I give this advice, and it seems to be working for those who listen.
1 – get the right people behind you. Find an accountant and a lawyer and build a relationship with them before you have to go to one with a problem. The accountant will help you make proper business decision, setup your business that limits your liabilities and watches you as you progress. Do not go to or depend on financial planners, rv’ing expediters and so on. Lawyers are as important, you need to establish a relationship with them so not to have to explain all the things you do while you are sitting on the side of the road after an accident in order to get advice. A perfect example is Leo’s issue with his engine, if he had a lawyer, then I think his outcome may be a lot different. Another perfect example is an accident that happened to a driver a while ago, the company told them what to do which limited the companies liability but screwed the driver who lost everything. The company doesn't care about you, they care about their customer and their liability with that customer then the regulators.
2 – as mentioned, get your financial house in order, and your personal life. It is far far better to become the most dependable person for a fleet owner/company than to just be a driver. Having to deal with problems at home cuts into everything.
3 – when a driver, always work under a contract. Don’t trust unless you can verify and you can’t verify without a contract. A contract protects you as much as the owner. Going back to point #1, have a lawyer look at the contract and explain it to you. Let him/her find your liabilities and limits to protect you.
4 – do not become energized over or with FedEx, they are NOT the best company for Solo people. I would select three or four (at least) and start with that. Build a list of questions and then ask those questions to them – WRITE THEIR ANSWERS DOWN and then ask for a list of people you can talk to outside of the recruiter. This will give you a pretty good idea of what is happening, what to expect and what to prepare for. The most honest recruiter that I ever met worked for E-1 but left to go onto bigger and better things. I have yet met anyone close to his caliber and honesty and from my meeting a couple of them on the road recently, I would follow my advice carefully – carpet salesmen they seemed to be, if you know what I mean.
5 – Don’t think that because
Joe has a fleet, built his fleet starting as a driver that it will work for you. Times are changing, again and will some more. Fleets may look good as money makers and companies love them because of the commitment but tying into one niche market with specialized vehicles may not be profitable in the long run. Goals of making money should be last on the list of goals. Some here claim to be successful while they only work for one company and having one truck while the real success comes from learning and using that knowledge for everything business. I learned that this market is limited, and moved into another part of the industry which is better suited for long term growth without the long term establishment needed as in this market. Something to think about.
AS for going back a year, I would think that would be a good idea but some of what I read from your comments, you already have formed some opinions and it may not help.
Hope that all helps.
