Expedited trucker life

[Baack]

Wow this is exciting
Many people are interested in what expediting is all about
I have much interest in the subject but like most of us I am very interested in the lifestyle and what it takes
I am going to start with some pictures of the different types of expedited trucks, you all know how I love pictures LOL





And a couple pictures of a Sprinter with interior shots
Notice the pull down bed, generator and cabinet to keep personal items in on the left behind drivers seat

[WiseOne]

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!

[Coonass]

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

[RickG]

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 .

[latanea]

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.

[Big Don]

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.

[25(2)+2]

I watched an Expediter 1 day shortly after I started driving big trucks, he passed me probably 10 times on a trip up I 55 and 39 in IL, I presume he was making deliveries along a route, LTL Expedited. He was driving about 75 or maybe faster.

I did a little LTL with a big truck, and have done some peddle runs with refrigerated. It's alright once in a while, but I wouldn't want to do it all of the time. It's a good way to meet law enforcement while on the job.

[AspiringTrucker]

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

[RickG]

Originally Posted by AspiringTrucker

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 .

[prisonerofthehwy]

Originally Posted by Baack

Wow this is exciting
Many people are interested in what expediting is all about
I have much interest in the subject but like most of us I am very interested in the lifestyle and what it takes
I am going to start with some pictures of the different types of expedited trucks, you all know how I love pictures LOL





And a couple pictures of a Sprinter with interior shots
Notice the pull down bed, generator and cabinet to keep personal items in on the left behind drivers seat

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.