Panther
- Thread starter waylonm
- Start date
i was holding off replying to this as we are not O/O. we drive for an owner whom we think the world of...Panther, in my opinion, will keep you busy. But remember...in this business there are times you PRAY to slow down, and there are times you think you may have been left hanging out to dry...I've been driving for P2 since 2004 and I think the world of them and wouldn't think of going anywhere else. We've had as much as 5500 in a week and as little as nothing...but of course we weren't "in the service area". learning to use the systems and tools available to you're advantage is the key to making it...no matter where you go. for us, Panther is an excellent fit.
Before you do anything you need to read back at least 1 full year in the general, newbies, and recruiter forums as well as reading the entire newbies faq section. Doing that will provide a wealth of information on Panther, far more than this inquiry could possibly generate in replies. After you've read back at least 1 full year in those sections you need to at least consider driving for someone else for 6-12 months to determine if this is for you and also learn the ropes on someone else's depreciation and maintenance bills. Good luck.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.
lisalewis
Seasoned Expediter
We decided to drive for another owner before we'd consider taking the plunge to buy our own truck, and we've done well. We've done so well that we might not ever buy our own truck (I'm sure my truck owner loves to hear that...LOL) It's nice having a mentor to guide the way without the worries of making a truck payment, having a break down, and if it doesn't work out (for what ever reason)...no worries of selling the truck. You might love it....or you might hate it, God knows this life isn't for everyone. You've got to understand that this isn't a job but a lifestyle and if you don't like the "lifestyle" no expediting company would be right for you.
FAMILYEXPDT
Seasoned Expediter
Can I have a loan? 
-charlotte
-charlotte
kangar0085
Seasoned Expediter
I did very well in my van with Panther. Now my driver is also doing good and I'm getting a tractor in less then five months joining Panther again myself. Like Dave said you've got to figure out their system. Once you do you should do just fine. Also if you are a Cargo van stay the hell out of Texas.
fortwayne
Not a Member
Well, prior to my post here, you heard from some people who have been with them for awhile. In my case, I have been with them 3-months, and find them the best fit for me. The other two companies I have drove for more less ran us through their 2 or 3 day training program and tossed us out there with very very little support and assistance. The one nice thing about Panther is there is always someone there to assist and guide you with your questions, concerns or to give you some advice. You will stay busy at times but just like other companies there are your slow times - just me ready for them, have some 'side hobbies' to do when you sit in those awful truck stops. As the other post said - GET TO KNOW THEIR SYSTEM. They will tell you over the computer after a drop where they would like you to move to - it is your choice to go and not always is that the best thing to do, but this is all something you have to learn. It has taken me about my whole 3 months to get to learn their system and I am sure it will take me even longer to really KNOW their system - but as long as I am making good money that is OK with me. Best of luck to you!
Fort Wayne
Guided By God
Fort Wayne
Guided By God
kangar0085
Seasoned Expediter
Well I've been to Texas 3-4 times and never got a load out. Every time I ended up deadheading to Nashville. The loads that I took down there were paying well enough for me to still have a nice profit. I was owner operator though, it might be a different story if you work for an owner. That deadhead will hurt.
Did a load from Dayton, ohio with my local company to San Antonio, but he is not set up to get many loads back had one when I was leaving Dallas to go back to San antonio to pick up and one in Little Rock, AR so told him I would do Little Rock , as you would know I would of needed a flat bed to do it and was in a van. For 4 years just travel thru out US selling at Car swap meets, bike meets, tractor shows, festivals, flea markets, loved being on road, now looking for right fix and going back this time expediting, been two years local with some long runs. My local company I'm leased with is trying to get more out of state in order to get me to stay, like them but want to travel
Chuck
Chuck
I am only guessing that difficulty getting out of Texas may be a van issue. We go in there on a regular basis and seldom do we ever have a problem getting out with straight trucks. Some of the issue may be because alot of runs are straight through to OH,MI,IN, and IL.
Most of the loads out are team loads.
Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator
Most of the loads out are team loads.
Davekc
owner
22 years
PantherII
EO moderator
kangar0085
Seasoned Expediter
Yeah I don't hear many s/t's complaining about TX.
G
guest
Guest
Laredo is good 4 loads every day..San Antonio..is Toyota there is a load per day..Dallas 3 or 4 loads every day...you don't have to dead head to Nashville..a good are is Greenville, MS 2-3 loads every day...Memphis, TN...Jackson, TN..I've been with PII more than 3yrs in a cargo van...stay away from OK...truck# 11746
kangar0085
Seasoned Expediter
My experience has been different on all boards you mentioned.
fortwayne
Not a Member
Van runs and how well you do MAY depend on who you sign on with, in fact, that MAY be the case with straight trucks as well.
Vans, I have heard a few say on this site, are plentiful with most of the companies and with some companies they simply are not putting on any more cargo vans. I have heard a few van drivers tell me that their company is eliminating vans altogether - meaning when the contracts come back up for renewal they are simplying being told by the company they do not want to bring them back. I would check with each company in this case.
With straight trucks I tend to notice who I see hauling down the street - that gives me some indication on who is out there and staying busy. The companies a tend to see alot are Panther, FedEx, Express-1, Tri-State with a few from Try Hours,Landstar and CTX.
I am not saying these are the biggest or best, they are who I tend to see hauling on down the road the most.
Now with vans, at least up in Michigan I see alot of Panther, Tri-State and ASAP cargo vans.
Fort Wayne
Guided By God
Vans, I have heard a few say on this site, are plentiful with most of the companies and with some companies they simply are not putting on any more cargo vans. I have heard a few van drivers tell me that their company is eliminating vans altogether - meaning when the contracts come back up for renewal they are simplying being told by the company they do not want to bring them back. I would check with each company in this case.
With straight trucks I tend to notice who I see hauling down the street - that gives me some indication on who is out there and staying busy. The companies a tend to see alot are Panther, FedEx, Express-1, Tri-State with a few from Try Hours,Landstar and CTX.
I am not saying these are the biggest or best, they are who I tend to see hauling on down the road the most.
Now with vans, at least up in Michigan I see alot of Panther, Tri-State and ASAP cargo vans.
Fort Wayne
Guided By God