Pilot Cars

Alot of escort guys are using vans, but they have to have windows so the escort guy has clear vision all around. And have little homes set up in them. Contact the big heavy guys and send them your insurance, certifications, etc. then wait by the phone. I do know that there are brokers that set loads up for you, they will take a percentage,but lets say you end up in southern Calif, instead of going home, they will set you up with a load as near to where you are, so you don't have all of that dead heading. And lots of time you may have a new job, before your finished with the last. Try this number.. I don't even know if it still works.. 256-278-1896 they are in Alabama .good luck

 

good post. very informative as to what you all expect.

i just did my first rodeo with wide and pilot. this post adds to that learning experience.

thanks guys.

 

I'm also new to the pilot/escort business, although I have over 30 years OTL. I'm in SWFL and am having a hard time getting jobs, I'd be willing to travel to get a job done. Is it really that slow out there?

 

Yes it is that slow out there for pilots. A few years back when wind projects were going crazy the demand for pilots was way up and a lot of people got into the business. Now that wind has died there's an abundance of pilots looking for work. For example, I'm loading a 15' wide load in Seattle, WA tomorrow going to Miami, FL and I have pilots from as far away as Dallas, TX fighting for the run. 4 years ago I might have had to wait several days just to get a pilot.

 

Thanks for the info, I guess I'll just keep on plugging and hope for the best.

 

Try Bennett. They're pulling quite a few nacells out of Pensacola to Ulysses,Kansas. JKHackl too. I figure with Bennett being owner OP, if you can get in on a gig like that and develop a good working relationship with a driver, you should have a good steady gig for a bit.

 

Triplesix, Why aren't you guys doing the nacelles now?
They were out of there steady

 

Thank you for the information, how do I locate Bennett?

 

The pilot car business requires you to be a go-getter. Nobody is going to just hand you work because you attended a certification class, which I hope you did. Start out slow by signing up with the big trucking companies that haul oversize loads and contacting escort brokers. Remember this, escort brokers are not regulated like truck brokers and scams are abundant. Yahoo has pilot car groups you can join to learn and post your availability. They also have a BadBoy list that notes non payer brokers and truck companies. I just totaled up the BadBoy list yesterday and it's over $375,750.00 in unpaid escort bills in 4 years from various truckers and brokers. Somebody mentioned a pay to join site that can supply pilot car work and it has proven to be a loss for those paying the join fee of 10.00 per month.
I've been either in a big truck or escort vehicle since 1976 and do very well with the established companies I work for. Do the best job you can, heed the advice given by others in these postings and you'll be OK. If somebody gives you an escorting job don't make the mistake of trying to steal that customer (giving the driver your business cards) you will be blackballed quickly by other escorts and word travels very quickly among established escorts. Good Luck and Remember Your Job is SAFETY

 

I heard yesterday.. Now it's wasn't verified by me so it's just a rumor on my part.. That all windmills have come to a complete stop. So there went allof those escorts back into general OD loads, so the competion might be rather tight for the industry.