Expedited trucker life

Thanks, Baack. I know you and CyberGal know a LOT about Expediting. I am excited to see how this forum comes along to be sure as Expediters are so different from regular trucking. Thanks for the pics!

 

The work I do in this field is with the traditonal tractor and trailer(flatbed and drop deck).

 

You may not get too many expediters to respond because they pretty much have their own forum they hang out at . I've seen members there make good posts and get negative , sarcastic responses . This isn't very encouraging for them .
As for types of expediting vehicles carriers vary a little of classifications but here's a breakdown of classes
An A unit would be like a minivan and they aren't really used by expediting companies.
A B unit is a cargo van usually up to 10,000 lbs. GVWR . Staying at this weight allows drivers to be exempt from FMCSR logging requirements unless they haul hazmat .
A C unit is the most popular straight truck . As a rule it has a load capacity of up to 5,000 lbs.
A D unit is a larger straight truck with a tandem axle or air tag axle . Some of the twin screws are former road tractors that have had the frame extended . There are a few expediters that own a single axle sleeper tractor with a 28' pup they use as a D unit.
An E unit is a tandem axle road tractor that pulls trailers owned by the carrier . While there is usually an oversupply of other types of trucks there is always a demand for E units .
For revenue , cargo van drivers must own the truck and they can make a fair living . There is not enough revenue available with a cargo van for an owner to pay a driver a decent percentage.
On the other trucks the best situation is a husband -wife team . They can do very well either with their own truck or driving for a fleet owner . Usually they are an older couple with no mortgage and possibly a military or civil service pension to supplement their income . It's pretty well agreed that if a team consists of drivers from 2 different households the income won't be adequate . They'd be better off being solo . Some solos do well but fleet owners prefer to hire teams .
A benefit of driving for a fleet owner is you get to learn the business and get started without having to invest in a truck . The drivers get to select their loads and decide when they want time off as long as the truck is earning enough to give the owner acceptable revenue .
But if this gets you interested in expediting this is not a good time to get into it . The 3rd quarter is always slow . It would be best to wait at least until March and see what shape the industry is in then .
Expediters average 75% availability . For many this means they stay out 3 weeks then take a week off .

 

A neighbor of mine tried exp. trucking after he retired from the G.E. Jet engine plant here in Cincy...

He bought a used sprinter - and leased on to Panther II...


4 months later he was home and had the truck up for sale...


He is very vague about what happened - and what went wrong...

I am not saying it was panthers fault either...

As we all know - some people just do not last in this industry - no fault of their own - but they just do not have what it takes...


When I was a trainer for "the Skunk" years ago I had many trainee's that were getting into the industry for all of the wrong reasons - and as predicted - they did not last long.

I think because the exp. vehicles are typically smaller than a trac/trlr, people think it will be easy - when in fact the hurdles that face us are not usually the vehicle size - but rather the lifestyle and problems being away from home.

 

I would think it would actually be tougher than in a big truck. At least in a big truck, you have your "home" with you.

 

How is team expediting any different from regular team driving for one of the big carriers?

 

You run less miles , sit more , but make as much annual revenue because of higher rates . The majority of expediter trucks are straight trucks so parking is easier to find . Some campgrounds even accept them .
When you get empty with an expedite truck you could wait a couple of days for another load and when you get a call you are expected to respond within 15 minutes . That's what expedite is all about .
Since the loads are time critical solos usually won't get a run over 500 miles unless relay to another truck can be arranged . So in expediting a team run often just means a run over 500 miles .

 

Nice pictures as always. I finally recieved my first expedite magazine in the mail, less than a week ago! The business is an ontime thing, but evidently not the magazine. I still have the one you mailed me too. Thanks Baack.