Spare Some Advice For A Newcomer?

[daln0bo1shik]

Hello all, would be very appreciative if any of you could drop some advice for a newcomer. I'm a 23 year old out of Florida, currently unemployed (worked 5 years for family's company, left out of no passion and simply tired of it), and am figuring out how to get my foot in the door in the expediting business. I have no experience. I've also come to realize that this is truly what I want to do right now in life (Van or Box Truck Expediting), even if if the industry is not a complete heyday at the moment. In terms of my financial situation, only a couple hundred dollars to my name, but thankfully I have a car and a place to live. What would you all recommend to secure a position somewhere? Would it be better to save and get my hands on a personal van for myself, or go with a company? How did you break into the field?

I've also noticed that there are many Eastern Europeans who are involved in the expediting business. I just so happen to speak a good bit of Russian (upper A2-B1 level), as language learning is a hobby of mine. Maybe it'll be a good angle to work. Thanks for reading.

 

[Ragman]

Hello all, would be very appreciative if any of you could drop some advice for a newcomer. I'm a 23 year old out of Florida, currently unemployed (worked 5 years for family's company, left out of no passion and simply tired of it), and am figuring out how to get my foot in the door in the expediting business. I have no experience. I've also come to realize that this is truly what I want to do right now in life (Van or Box Truck Expediting), even if if the industry is not a complete heyday at the moment. In terms of my financial situation, only a couple hundred dollars to my name, but thankfully I have a car and a place to live. What would you all recommend to secure a position somewhere? Would it be better to save and get my hands on a personal van for myself, or go with a company? How did you break into the field?

I've also noticed that there are many Eastern Europeans who are involved in the expediting business. I just so happen to speak a good bit of Russian (upper A2-B1 level), as language learning is a hobby of mine. Maybe it'll be a good angle to work. Thanks for reading.

My advice to you is, first realise being an expediter is running a business, not just a job. There is much to learn. It is not just turn key and drive. With your limited funds, find an owner to drive for. Learn the business. Learn how to find loads. Learn how to budget. Spend a couple of years learning on their equipment.

 

[Darmstadter]

In the past, Florida was a hard spot to find loads out of. That may have changed. Anyway, everything Ragman said is spot on. You should also consider how long you're willing to be away from home.

 

[WPR Jersey]

In the past, Florida was a hard spot to find loads out of. That may have changed. Anyway, everything Ragman said is spot on. You should also consider how long you're willing to be away from home.

FL is still a bit hasty to get out of, unless it's northern FL. Even then a DH to Atlanta is usually worth it.

 

[Noname]

All of the preceding information is good. I'll add my opinion that expediting out of Florida usually requires deadheading on your own dime to northern cities like Atlanta, Greenville, or Charlotte to get started after time at home. Sitting in Florida is usually a long empty use of your time, might as well head north to freight lanes and get active. A lot will depend on the wishes of the person you are driving for, and the location of freight lanes of the company your vehicle is signed on with. Yes, drive a vehicle for someone else, learn to manage the share of the revenue that you keep, learn when to move to better load areas or sit tight where you last delivered. Whoever owns the vehicle you drive will have a lot to say about your positioning and your load acceptance or refusal, because he wants to make money for you and for him. A lot of vehicle owners don't like their drivers running empty to and from Florida so you may have to look a little harder to find an owner willing to take you on. Keep trying, don't get discouraged, don't expect to get rich soon, use your "home on wheels" to earn money and keep your living expenses low, wait at least six months to think about buying your own vehicle. Check with expediting companies that take on drivers with no experience and might be able to set you up with a vehicle owner looking for a driver. Bolt Express in Toledo. Ohio is one.