Trucking 101 - YOU ARE GOING TO SIT!

[tryhoursnot]

Can anyone please explain to me why it is so difficult to get corporate office people to understand that when you lose a truck when a lesae operator quits because you have no freight for them and you shuffle 10 people through orientation that same week, those 10 people/trucks are not going to be with you long because they (now 10 instead of 1) still have no freight and so soon they leave. We all know that for every unhappy owner/operator/driver that leaves a company, there are 100 more out there just waiting to take your place. What gets me is why corporate people can't see how easy it is to fix this. STOP PUTTING ON MORE TRUCKS AND PEOPLE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE FREIGHT CAPACITY TO KEEP WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE MOVING AND MAKING MONEY! It's that elementary Watson. Keep the trucks and drivers moving that you have and you won't have to replace them every week with new orientation. Currently, I am leased on to Try-Hours Expedited for a whole 6 days. I have run 850 or so miles in that 6 days and have sat idling with no freight for 2, that is TWO, 36 hour periods and all the dispatcher can say is "sorry for your situation" and "when the truck does not make money, no one makes money" but ironically this comes from someone who makes the same salary every paycheck whether half of the fleet sits for 36 hours at a time or not. All I can say is this - If you are going to go into trucking, get it in contractual writing that you will be guaranteed a certain amount of miles or income each payperiod whether you are running or not. That way they will have no choice but to keep you moving. Everyone be safe and happy running(if there is such a thing).

 

[JOHNCLARK]

Can anyone please explain to me why it is so difficult to get corporate office people to understand that when you lose a truck when a lesae operator quits because you have no freight for them and you shuffle 10 people through orientation that same week, those 10 people/trucks are not going to be with you long because they (now 10 instead of 1) still have no freight and so soon they leave. We all know that for every unhappy owner/operator/driver that leaves a company, there are 100 more out there just waiting to take your place. What gets me is why corporate people can't see how easy it is to fix this. STOP PUTTING ON MORE TRUCKS AND PEOPLE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE FREIGHT CAPACITY TO KEEP WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE MOVING AND MAKING MONEY! It's that elementary Watson. Keep the trucks and drivers moving that you have and you won't have to replace them every week with new orientation. Currently, I am leased on to Try-Hours Expedited for a whole 6 days. I have run 850 or so miles in that 6 days and have sat idling with no freight for 2, that is TWO, 36 hour periods and all the dispatcher can say is "sorry for your situation" and "when the truck does not make money, no one makes money" but ironically this comes from someone who makes the same salary every paycheck whether half of the fleet sits for 36 hours at a time or not. All I can say is this - If you are going to go into trucking, get it in contractual writing that you will be guaranteed a certain amount of miles or income each payperiod whether you are running or not. That way they will have no choice but to keep you moving. Everyone be safe and happy running(if there is such a thing).

This is a serious issue. You should be able to see the numbers when you sign on. A "guide" to what other trucks in that class are averaging. I don't care, howver, my trucks are consistantly booked. I am at a disadvantage due to the "34hr rule". I hate it.Because I run out of capacity.

This is why I am a tractor and straight truck specialist. I take the trucks I know I can move and I don't waste anyones time with the trucks I cannot. Thats elementary!! It's all reputation to me.

How can I come out here as a advertiser, tell you Im gonna be great, disapoint you and expect to stay here on the forum?

 

[scottm4211]

Sounds like you've got it figured out.

 

[zero3nine]

Ummm.... wow.

I feel your pain, really I do. Unfortunately, the owners your company likely does not. You see, commission drivers are quite frankly expendable. As you said yourself, there are always 10 more ready to take your place.

Having been leased for all of six days it would be safe for you to assume that you are the absolute lowest totem on the pole. Going to another company will likely land you in the same boat.

I will tell you this: dispatchers do not want to hear you complain. Squeaky wheel in this situation will hardly ever get the grease. Refuse zero loads, take what you can get with aplomb and endear yourself to the ones who control your income.... when a few pay periods have passed you may find yourself with a leg to stand on or at least a bargaining chip. At that time you might consider approaching the powers that be with an objective assessment of your situation and appeal to them as to how you might be able to improve it.

It never pays to jump ship prematurely, and any time You switch companies it is best to do so in a rational, controlled fashion with some money already in the bank... because guess what: the new kid gets last grab at the kickball bin.

This has been a public service announcement.

fired at you from my Droideka

 

[fortwayne]

We all have heard about the supply and demand in regards to the supply of trucks out there and the current demand or the lack of demand for those trucks.
Until we see a strong uptick in freight we have no demand for those trucks sitting, period.
However, every carrier can do their part by properly balancing their fleet to their freight demand.

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[OntarioVanMan]

Mr Clark and Mr Elliott can tell you....winning a load bid at times can be as tough as nails....sometimes you can't win one even with a lowball bid...

 

[JOHNCLARK]

Mr Clark and Mr Elliott can tell you....winning a load bid at times can be as tough as nails....sometimes you can't win one even with a lowball bid...

Somedays you just have to take a loss to move a truck. I don't pay the truck less, but I will break even or lose money to move that truck. Im sure you will all say, that's stupid. Or what else, that's b.s.?? I lose on average on 2 trucks daily. Im a much smaller operation than Load1. So our numbers will differ. But I made a commitment to a contractor or driver to provide a income not only for the driver on the road but keep in mind the obligations he has back home. Whether it be the diapers that momma has to buy, or the speed boat that has to be paid for we all go to work everyday to provide. NOT TO GET SCREWED BY THE NUMBERS GAME!!!!!

I will NOT tolerate such a business model and I WILL call out the ones who do. I cannot tell you how many times I had to work "around the clock" to get a o/o in a position quick to get them back on their feet and quick before all was lost.

This is not the recognition I seek, However it is the education I demand for all o/o's that come into this industry to do their homework, not jump into this industry that will rip you up and spit you out, as quick as you mortgage your house to buy a truck you didnt take time to "spec" and now it won't do the job you need it to do.

Sorry to go off for a second, but listen for a second, read past reviews and post and find the John Elliot's of the transportation world that will treat you fair the first time!! Oh, and me too

 

[golfournut]

Somedays you just have to take a loss to move a truck. I don't pay the truck less, but I will break even or lose money to move that truck. Im sure you will all say, that's stupid. Or what else, that's b.s.?? I lose on average on 2 trucks daily. Im a much smaller operation than Load1. So our numbers will differ. But I made a commitment to a contractor or driver to provide a income not only for the driver on the road but keep in mind the obligations he has back home. Whether it be the diapers that momma has to buy, or the speed boat that has to be paid for we all go to work everyday to provide. NOT TO GET SCREWED BY THE NUMBERS GAME!!!!!

I will NOT tolerate such a business model and I WILL call out the ones who do. I cannot tell you how many times I had to work "around the clock" to get a o/o in a position quick to get them back on their feet and quick before all was lost.

This is not the recognition I seek, However it is the education I demand for all o/o's that come into this industry to do their homework, not jump into this industry that will rip you up and spit you out, as quick as you mortgage your house to buy a truck you didnt take time to "spec" and now it won't do the job you need it to do.

Sorry to go off for a second, but listen for a second, read past reviews and post and find the John Elliot's of the transportation world that will treat you fair the first time!! Oh, and me too

Amen, JC. But, there is always a but, a few years back folks like you and John Elliot weren't as forthcoming as you are now (as far as I can remember anyhow). We thank you both for coming out of the closet! lol.

I was leased on with those folks in 09. I thought I had done my due diligence by reading up on them here on EO and the web. Drove there and interviewed the owner and his son. Saw some numbers, later realized they were company trucks. Duh, shame on me.

My last 10th days I grossed $245.00. Needless to say, I shipped their QC and paper goods back to them. Not afraid to cut my loses and take my licks.

It is refreshing now to have folks like John Clark and John Elliot come on here and lay their reputation on the line and tell it like it is and how they operate.

My question is, where are the other great owners of companies that advertise on here or are just members? Maybe afraid of etching it in stone! This can be a hard bunch.

But, there's that but again, I don't want to believe that of all the Expedite companies out there, only two take the time and have the gonads to hang it all out for all to see.

Thank you both for sharing!

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[OntarioVanMan]

Somedays you just have to take a loss to move a truck. I don't pay the truck less, but I will break even or lose money to move that truck. Im sure you will all say, that's stupid. Or what else, that's b.s.?? I lose on average on 2 trucks daily. Im a much smaller operation than Load1. So our numbers will differ. But I made a commitment to a contractor or driver to provide a income not only for the driver on the road but keep in mind the obligations he has back home. Whether it be the diapers that momma has to buy, or the speed boat that has to be paid for we all go to work everyday to provide. NOT TO GET SCREWED BY THE NUMBERS GAME!!!!!

I will NOT tolerate such a business model and I WILL call out the ones who do. I cannot tell you how many times I had to work "around the clock" to get a o/o in a position quick to get them back on their feet and quick before all was lost.

This is not the recognition I seek, However it is the education I demand for all o/o's that come into this industry to do their homework, not jump into this industry that will rip you up and spit you out, as quick as you mortgage your house to buy a truck you didnt take time to "spec" and now it won't do the job you need it to do.

Sorry to go off for a second, but listen for a second, read past reviews and post and find the John Elliot's of the transportation world that will treat you fair the first time!! Oh, and me too

Mr Clark...that is what I was trying to say...unfortunately I cut short.....Mr.E in some areas has bid low and was going to take a loss to move us but the couldn't even win at very low rates..eventually he just pays us to move...all out of his pocket....

And Thank You Mr. Clark for being here....

 

[JOHNCLARK]

Mr Clark...that is what I was trying to say...unfortunately I cut short.....Mr.E in some areas has bid low and was going to take a loss to move us but the couldn't even win at very low rates..eventually he just pays us to move...all out of his pocket....

And Thank You Mr. Clark for being here....

That's the proper way to run a operation. And we always pay a bonus when it's busy time of year, and always pay out of our pocket when the time arises. I also will not move a truck just to move it. Leaving the "midwest" and our dedicated lanes such as TX and AR, and Ok where we have freight is O/O suicide. At least our business model says NO east of OHIO, unless you charge the customer back to Ohio!!

 

[JOHNCLARK]

Amen, JC. But, there is always a but, a few years back folks like you and John Elliot weren't as forthcoming as you are now (as far as I can remember anyhow). We thank you both for coming out of the closet! lol.

I was leased on with those folks in 09. I thought I had done my due diligence by reading up on them here on EO and the web. Drove there and interviewed the owner and his son. Saw some numbers, later realized they were company trucks. Duh, shame on me.

My last 10th days I grossed $245.00. Needless to say, I shipped their QC and paper goods back to them. Not afraid to cut my loses and take my licks.

It is refreshing now to have folks like John Clark and John Elliot come on here and lay their reputation on the line and tell it like it is and how they operate.

My question is, where are the other great owners of companies that advertise on here or are just members? Maybe afraid of etching it in stone! This can be a hard bunch.

But, there's that but again, I don't want to believe that of all the Expedite companies out there, only two take the time and have the gonads to hang it all out for all to see.

Thank you both for sharing!

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WAIT!! I know of one big owner out there advertising that is more worried about showing off his design suits at conferences than who's stuck in a BFE town in upstate NY. Or ALL STATES that dont have freight.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

That's the proper way to run a operation. And we always pay a bonus when it's busy time of year, and always pay out of our pocket when the time arises. I also will not move a truck just to move it. Leaving the "midwest" and our dedicated lanes such as TX and AR, and Ok where we have freight is O/O suicide. At least our business model says NO east of OHIO, unless you charge the customer back to Ohio!!

So Mr Clark....with all this said...

Do you subscribe to the idea that this industry is headed in the direction of being volume orientated?
Another company owner came on awhile ago and said that that is what is current among most of the bigger carriers and that was his business plan.
He also stated that O/O's were to him a commodity...

 

[greg334]

I get a kick out of these threads.

First this is not Trucking, it is Expediting ... sort of ...

36 hours and you are complaining?

That seems to be an average for most in all types of vehicles.

Contract with guaranteed revenue, really?

This is a business where you are a resource that is called capacity. You are part of a chain to service a customer. There are no guarantees in this business as much as there are no "great" companies that fit all who are in their fleet.

The bidding on loads is simple, it is no more complex once you are setup in the system than eBay. The only problem that I can see is when it comes to the contractor, and this seems to be why a lot of carriers have high turnover, they don't depend on a sales staff but rather a number of people who spend time looking for loads to fill their capacity.

Do you subscribe to the idea that this industry is headed in the direction of being volume orientated?

Headed?

OVM, we are already there.

Some companies are shedding the exclusive use concept and putting two and three loads on a truck. Volume with multiple stops seems to work for a lot of people who make the really good money.

 

[JOHNCLARK]

So Mr Clark....with all this said...

Do you subscribe to the idea that this industry is headed in the direction of being volume orientated?
Another company owner came on awhile ago and said that that is what is current among most of the bigger carriers and that was his business plan.
He also stated that O/O's were to him a commodity...

LMAO watching the 3 stooges with my kids, this is some old school funny T.V.

Wow, ummm, help me out I'm a little confused with the big words. Do I believe that we need more trucks than the volume of freight we have?? Sorry put it into 5th grade terms, I must warn you, I don't do very well when it comes to that game show either

 

[OntarioVanMan]

LMAO watching the 3 stooges with my kids, this is some old school funny T.V.

Wow, ummm, help me out I'm a little confused with the big words. Do I believe that we need more trucks than the volume of freight we have?? Sorry put it into 5th grade terms, I must warn you, I don't do very well when it comes to that game show either

Sorry if i am over your head..watching the 3 Stooges will do that....*lol*

Kinda like Walmart marketing....Volume sales...

offer a ton of miles at smaller rates and make your profit from the sheer volume of total miles..

from my point of view...do I want to drive 11,000 miles a month and make $9,000...or drive 9,000 miles and make $11,000?

 

[JOHNCLARK]

I get a kick out of these threads.

First this is not Trucking, it is Expediting ... sort of ...

36 hours and you are complaining?

That seems to be an average for most in all types of vehicles.

Contract with guaranteed revenue, really?

This is a business where you are a resource that is called capacity. You are part of a chain to service a customer. There are no guarantees in this business as much as there are no "great" companies that fit all who are in their fleet.

The bidding on loads is simple, it is no more complex once you are setup in the system than eBay. The only problem that I can see is when it comes to the contractor, and this seems to be why a lot of carriers have high turnover, they don't depend on a sales staff but rather a number of people who spend time looking for loads to fill their capacity.

Headed?

OVM, we are already there.

Some companies are shedding the exclusive use concept and putting two and three loads on a truck. Volume with multiple stops seems to work for a lot of people who make the really good money.

I will argue this point all day. To some it may be easier than Ebay. To the really advanced dispatchers it's totally complex. My day shift is lucky to cover 10% of my fleet, and then 60% afternoons and the big loads on midnights.

It's a matter of time, location, size of vehicle, destination, capacity within 200 miles of delivery, charges due to destination of delivery, charging back to a volume area, timing that fits within a 10hr break and knowing that you are able to have that truck pre planned when it's ready and then back to the drawing board. I have 4 dispatchers on the afternoons now just because I can't afford for more than 1 person to work on more than 1 load per minute. There are specific notes, reasons, tariffs, l/h,d/h TEAMS to consider, so much goes in I would challenge the average person to keep 30 units happy 24/7/365. Let's not forget about time home, repairs, recoveries, cross docks, international shipments, and ALL the calls in between for directions, phone numbers, short ships, ******* shippers,consignees, that wont unload a shipment because your early, they dont need the freight right now, lunches, dinners, weather, traffic, accidents, delays, pushing times forward, backwards. etc. So I rather be on Ebay any day. Hmmm. I want to buy a car--my bid $6000. It's that easy? NO WAY.

 

[JOHNCLARK]

Sorry, my explanation probably makes it look easy.

 

[JOHNCLARK]

Sorry if i am over your head..watching the 3 Stooges will do that....*lol*

Kinda like Walmart marketing....Volume sales...

offer a ton of miles at smaller rates and make your profit from the sheer volume of total miles..

from my point of view...do I want to drive 11,000 miles a month and make $9,000...or drive 9,000 miles and make $11,000?

Ok, much easier, No way on that. Our motto is "quality vs. quanity!! Example who can afford to do a straight truck mini for $100?? I would'nt turn the key. I would however do a mini for $500. If I can't get it I dont need it and my O/O does not either. I rather book him MI to GA for a solid l/h rate and pay him a good d/h rate back to TN to be in a position to get reloaded when ready! Why stay in GA and wait. I dont pay .25cents a mile d/h I average about .85 a mile ALL D/H miles. So do the math. Also, tolls are a neccesary evil,bridge crossings,international crossings. We pay those. And no lumper shipments done here!! lumper means time consuming,expedite means front of the line!! Say NO to B.S. loads!! If your a quality company you work hard to make your guys and yourself $. Yes, it does slow down and everyone knows when those times are, But it's what your company makes of it!! I'm not perfect, but I am burned out from working 18hrs a day. It's ok, 1 day I can be like STU!!

 

[golfournut]

Sorry, my explanation probably makes it look easy.

Those 4 dispatches must buy a lot of cars John! lol


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[OntarioVanMan]

Ok, much easier, No way on that. Our motto is "quality vs. quanity!! Example who can afford to do a straight truck mini for $100?? I would'nt turn the key. I would however do a mini for $500. If I can't get it I dont need it and my O/O does not either. I rather book him MI to GA for a solid l/h rate and pay him a good d/h rate back to TN to be in a position to get reloaded when ready! Why stay in GA and wait. I dont pay .25cents a mile d/h I average about .85 a mile ALL D/H miles. So do the math. Also, tolls are a neccesary evil,bridge crossings,international crossings. We pay those. And no lumper shipments done here!! lumper means time consuming,expedite means front of the line!! Say NO to B.S. loads!! If your a quality company you work hard to make your guys and yourself $. Yes, it does slow down and everyone knows when those times are, But it's what your company makes of it!! I'm not perfect, but I am burned out from working 18hrs a day. It's ok, 1 day I can be like STU!!

Now if we can persuade even more carriers to think this way...we could make the volume carriers really start sweating....*LOL*