Average wait time for a return trip ?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by holy roller, May 11, 2008.

  1. holy roller

    holy roller Bobtail Member

    35
    2
    Nov 3, 2007
    hampton va
    0
    How long is the average wait time to find good frieght for a return trip, ? maybe im wording it wrong. How long should i expect to wait at a truck stop or dropp to find a decent load back before throwing in the towell and taking cheap frieght or deadheading back 2-300 miles,. I understand there are alot of variables involved just looking for some past experience advice from other 0/0. i am currently leased on with a company but tired of their crap. Going to start pulling my own frieght from load boards, brokers, shippers ect.. thanks in advanced for any and all input
     
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  3. OverDrive

    OverDrive "A Watchman on the Walls"

    It really is dependent upon you! Do you need to be home? How long can you sit? How much $ are you willing to spend on fuel if Dhead? No really good answer--depends on the situation at the time.
     
  4. slowpoke1967

    slowpoke1967 Light Load Member

    61
    1
    May 8, 2008
    somewhere fl
    0
    get a laptop with the cell card so you can keep up on loads and book them for your for your next trip.
     
  5. Socy Grad

    Socy Grad Medium Load Member

    Don't the companies usually arrange return freight or is it up to the driver?
     
  6. elharrison

    elharrison "Iam on my way"

    650
    33
    Feb 8, 2007
    WV
    0
    depends on company

    i take a load somewhere and dead head back, sometimes might pick up a return load but mostly empty on the way back

    all paid miles:yes2557:
     
  7. Socy Grad

    Socy Grad Medium Load Member

    So if they pay for your miles anyways, do you get more pay if you have a load as opposed to dead heading?

    Thanks guys.
     
  8. cluck-cluck

    cluck-cluck Light Load Member

    73
    8
    Apr 8, 2008
    walnut ridge, ar.
    0
    If you are a company driver you get paid to come back empty most of the time. Most o/o leased to a company dont have to look for a reload but some do. If you run on your own authority then you pretty much find all your own loads. Sometimes the rate you negotiated allows for you to come back empty but that is the exception. Unless you have really good paying freight out you dont want to eat the fuel to come back empty.
     
  9. jlkklj777

    jlkklj777 20 Year Truckload Veteran

    1,871
    1,089
    Oct 1, 2007
    Duncannon, Pa
    0
    In alot of cases return freight and loads are booked in advance. The driver will have an appointment in a certain area and based on that customers profile (the record for the average unload time) the driver (or carrier) will attempt to secure freight in the same area (or as close as possible) to reload that now empty truck.

    If there are no pre-established contacts then brokers are contacted to see what they have available.

    Deadheading back usually is counter productive to the bottom line as it cuts the pay per mile in half.
     
  10. Socy Grad

    Socy Grad Medium Load Member

    Makes sense.
     
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