Pre-newbie

zack100

Active Expediter
Mssg says to give some kind of into - I've been reading these forums for awhile so as an interested and probably soon to be newbie to Expediting ........ HI ! It may or may not become a factor ..... I am 55 and in good shape for the age. For reasons unknown to me ...... don't sleep much either. My kids are grown and gone, house is sold ..... no ties. NO, I'm not looking for the "good life".

Recently I talked with a company in KY. Appears to have been in existence about 2 years. Apparently they own a couple of very used Penske cubes which I told got about 10 mpg. Worn seat, no company markings, no c/c, at the opening of the door to the rear box he build a homemade plywood box and dropped in an old twin mattress. They did have a gps (as in one which also goes into a car). Had a generator, some kind of a/c unit for which to hook to the generator. To start, they offered 70 cents a mile ... of which 40 cents goes for the gas (driver pays for all gas). The driver gets the balance of 30 cents. They stated I'd be getting maybe 2K a week (no guarantees) and since I'm new - try it for 30 days and let em know. I looked at the van and kinda wondered ...... is this a recipe for disaster ? My gut reaction ......... didn't feel right. Maybe the sight of the van simply was scary. Then again, hey - I've never driven .... gotta get experience. Any thoughts on the above ???

Secondly, in this recession ..... is getting into exediting a bad idea ?

Third - If expediting is a reasonable profession in this day/age, does anyone know a decent company who will hire a guy with no experience and put him into a van/sprinter/whatever, which will be less taxing to drive than a worn cube ?

Fourth: If I hear some realistic feedback ....... it's understood I need experience (a given) and assuming I make the cut, I've got a bit of capital and wondering how long (experience) one needs before buying into the O/O thing ??........ I've got an education and have been told I can throw that out the window. I'm also "tight" ... know how to cut corners.

I look forward to realistic feedback. Zack
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
I would agree with Dennis. Blair has been around for awhile.
With regards to this two year old company, if they are essentially running junk, it is likely a reflection of the type of loads they are getting.
No need to complicate the simple.
 

paullud

Veteran Expediter
No markings on a company vehicle mean you pay the. 40/mile to deliver the load and never see a penny from them.
There are a number of companies like Blair and Bolt that will put you in another owner's van where you get a percentage usually 60/40. The person paying for fuel gets the 60. Then after you learn the freight industry which you can get the basics pretty quickly you can get your own van. You will have the advantage of already knowing the customer base which is very important.
Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
 
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chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
Blair has a BUNCH (not sure of the numbers, but i have heard they have more company units then O/O) of THEIR OWN Sprinters, as in Company owned trucks...I believe those thay driver them a straight $.30 a mile...and the company payes for everything....
 

zack100

Active Expediter
Re: Pre-newbie is back !

Yes, I'm the "wannabe" who started this conversation. From what I see (as answers) ..... you guys appear to have a great attitude and honest. Honesty will point a guy in the right direction and keep me from making a poor choice .... so thank you.

I'll drop in every now and then to see the balance of postings in answer to my questions .......... I'm talking with a couple of companies as we speak and I'd say if I had even a months worth of experience - I'd be working already .... like anything, gotta pay my dues.

So for now I'm hustling (a lot) to become a driver...... so even as a "wannabe", the concept of "hurry up and wait" has already began !! Zack
 

zack100

Active Expediter
I would agree with Dennis. Blair has been around for awhile.
With regards to this two year old company, if they are essentially running junk, it is likely a reflection of the type of loads they are getting.
No need to complicate the simple.
davekc

I've been reading some of your posts on various forums within this site - noticed you tend to give honest and professionally put information.

Appreciate the feedback ya gave last week - good advice ! I've got a second question ....... found a good company, I met them and they advised they MIGHT hire me to drive their Srpinters (as a newbie 1099 independent contractor).

They ask that I have a work comp policy ready to pay for (if/when) they call - actually I also call them weekly. Have you names of WC insurance companies who I can contact ??

Thanking you in advance. Zack
 
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