newbie going with a straight truck

[LDB]

provided it hasn't been sold already. I'm going to buy the truck Cerni had at the GATS expediting pavillion. I've been driving a semi and don't like the backing or the restrictions based on the size of the unit. With a D unit at least I can get off the highway some and get to at least some restaurants to eat now and then. I also should have a generally easier time with backing and maneuvering. I'll be calling companies tomorrow to discuss signing on. I'm looking at FXCC, Panther, Tri-State, ConWay and Express-1 although the order could change somewhat.

I plan to go out on a Monday and stay out till the 3rd weekend after that and be home very late Thurs or sometime Fri and then do it again for a 3 week cycle the following Monday. I believe the willingness to run almost 3 weeks at a stretch will prove beneficial both financially as well as in getting better loads since they know I'm not running for home every weekend. Well, I hope tomorrow is productive.

 

[ATeam]

You might want to alter your plan just a bit. There is in trucking and in expediting something called the freight cycle. You can read up on freight cycles in publications that help drivers develop business plans.

Shippers tend to move freight later in the week and later in the month and later in the quarter and later in the year. In other words, Thursdays tend to be busier than Mondays. The end of the month tends to be busier than the beginning. March tends to be busier than January. December tends to be busier than July. Going out on Monday and taking a Friday off could be less profitable than taking Monday off, going out on Tuesday and working on a Friday.