Truck Topics
Expediter: Enhance Your Revenue
An expanding segment of expedited trucking is in the transportation of high-value, special-handling freight. These shipments include freight from the medical, scientific and other high-tech industries along with a growing number of government shipments comprised of arms, ammunition and explosives.
The drivers involved in the transport of this high-dollar, sensitive freight are considered to be the "best of the best" of expedited trucking because of the equipment, training and background security checks required.
To be sure, one of the primary reasons that owner-operators enter the world of specialized handling freight is the increased revenue, but some drivers involved in the field would suggest that this service is also a "calling." They contend that there is a definite sense of satisfaction that can be derived from handling this specialized, hi-value freight.
White Glove
FedEx Custom Critical's White Glove Services was established in the late 1980's and as Tammy Robertson, Operations Manager of White Glove explains, "Our services encompass hi-value freight, temperature-control, Hazardous Material that's not covered by the surface expedite division such as Arms, Ammunition & Explosives (AA&E), radioactive, poisons, etc."
"It also includes over-dimensional freight that's hauled on flatbeds and a variety of transportation protective services that require satellite monitoring to trucks that have a panic button."
Robertson says that typically, White Glove taps into the FedEx Custom Critical fleet to find contractors or drivers with at least 6 months of service with Custom Critical. She says, "Of course, this represents an additional equipment investment with lift gates, temperature control, etc. and we're looking for folks who are willing to make that investment."
Obviously, the basic rates for these special services are higher than for the standard expedited shipment along with the accessorial charges for inside deliveries, lift gate and so on.
In addition to the increased revenue, Robertson says that the work is very interesting:
"White Glove offers additional learning opportunities, addtional training and experiences. It also offers the opportunity to handle some pretty interesting shipments. White Glove contractors can go from an art museum to moving a rock and roll show."
Matt and Katy Foscue are 5-year veteran White Glove contractors who agree with that characterization of the business as a "calling."
"With White Glove, the freight is different and the people we meet are very engaging. That's what makes this type of work so interesting and rewarding."
When asked for a breakdown of his loads, Foscue says that around 20 percent are temperature-controlled, 20 percent require a liftgate, but possibly as high as 75-80 percent are "fingerprint"type loads or hand load/unload.
"We enjoy doing the best job we can, meeting the customers' demands at a higher level and being compensated for it , so I would have to say that is a big part of the White Glove experience. It is a 'calling.'"
"When you're at a dock and there are guys in jump suits loading the freight with guys in lab coats fretting over it and guys in business suits taking pictures of it, you know it's important."
Panther II Transportation
Panther II Transportation of Seville, OH is one of those expedited carriers involved in this niche area of the emergency freight business. Its "Elite Services" Department was established just two years ago and has grown to include a staff of 15 specialists in just the last year, says Chris Koehring, head of the department.
Koehring has a fifteen-year history of working with special handling freight, both with Panther II and other carriers, and he tells us that this type of freight usually requires team operations.
He states, "Many of the loads in Elite Services are in the 700-1000 mile range, so, obviously, it's preferable to have a team in the truck. We already have a number of tractor-trailer owner-operators in this department, so our recruiting efforts are currently focused on building our straight truck fleet."
He continues, "We're going to keep the Elite Services fleet small; we're not adding a lot of equipment, but this is still a great opportunity for the owner-operator with the right truck and professional attitude."
Chris Koehring says that fifty percent of the Elite Services freight includes government loads that quite often require a SECRET clearance and background security checks.
About a third of the loads with Elite Services require temperature control and this includes high-value freight like pharmaceuticals, fragile machines, computer tapes, chemical compounds such as paint, etc. Shipments requiring liftgates are also part of Special Services' responsibilities.
"Our customers request Special Services trucks for a number of reasons, one of which is their loads require a lot of handling. For example, we haul a lot of hospital beds, some of which can cost up to $10,000. The customers are quite particular about how they're loaded - they insist that the beds are wrapped and strapped securely."
Panther II Transportation's Recruiting Manager Adam Walter says that the temperature-control expedited freight market is expanding and that reefer-equipped contractors will find a variety of freight possibilities with Panther II.
"Generally speaking, any time an owner-operator can offer a wider variety of equipment to his carrier, he better enhances his freight opportunities and temperature-control is certainly a part of that."
"Panther II is always looking for contractors with the skills and experience that go into flatbedding, special services, government freight, temp control, etc., because it expands their ability to expand their revenue."
Ben and Melanie Easters are Panther II contractors who have been with Special Services since its inception. The Texas-based couple operates a reefer-equipped tractor-trailer and Ben Easters says that their Special Services qualification is, "all about expanding the freight opportunities."
"Our loads can run in the 10,000-15,000 lbs range but we also carry much smaller freight as well. We had one load of 150 lbs. that we transported from Kansas to Maine. That was a nice little trip."
"We can recommend Special Services to any teams out there who don't mind the extra hands-on requirement for this type of
freight. It simply opens up the load possibilities for you, and should increase your revenue."
They have been pulling a temperature-controlled wagon for three and a half years and when asked, 'is it worth it?' Ben replies, "Yes, and actually, it's getting better. We do a lot of work for paint companies, several chemical companies and some U.S. government loads. These loads have produced very good revenue."
LEA
While Landstar Express America does not have a dedicated division that deals with special handling freight, Director of Recruiting Darin Mark says that many of the company's loads do fit under an umbrella that includes many U.S. Government loads requiring special handling.
"Those loads require the drivers (team operations only) to possess government clearances and special handling techniques. Of course, some shipments will require the specialized equipment common to such loads, such as liftgates, pads and straps, etc., but the simple fact is, the more equipment our BCO's have available, the more freight opportunities."
"We love this kind of work," says Ben Easters of specialized handling. "The money makes it well worth the extra effort. There's extra handling involved in this type of freight, but we see it as a challenge."