Panther Expedited Services, Inc. - Seville, Oh.?

lil may · Nov 1, 2010

rf1712 said: ↑

You may need to speak to the carrier
Click to expand...

Hello what post are you quoting ?????

jvar4001 · Mar 6, 2011

Email me jvar7829@yahoo.com . Are they still looking for experience drivrs (single) what about unexperience drivrs .

jvar4001 · Mar 6, 2011

how can i apply or contact an owner fleet here in salt lake city utah or any one who its in need for a driver ASAP/ send me an email jvar7829@yahoo.com

jvar4001 · Mar 6, 2011

chasedoggy said: ↑

I currently drive a big truck for Panther and I love it. I've been with them for almost two years now.

Panther is a 100% owner operator company. You will get no help from the company when buying or leasing your truck. That is your responsibility and you will be expected to have that handled when you arive in Seville, OH for orientation. The big money is made by those who own their own rig, however, you may work for a fleet owner, which isn't a bad idea if you've never owned your own rig and want to give Panther a test drive. I've also heard good stories about certain fleet owners making side arrangements with drivers allowing them to eventually purchase the trucks they drive and then lease on directly as an o/o with Panther. I can't speak about straight trucks or vans because I've never driven them.

So here's the deal: you must be a big boy. There's no crying in trucking, or so they say. Handle yourself professionally and treat your interactions with Panther like a serious business. Because that is exactly what it is. Just like any other trucking company, Panther is in business to make money. And so are you. Panther makes an effort to be fair, but that doesn't mean there won't be issues you have to deal with or times when you will feel like throwing your qc unit out the window. Things usually work out for me. Stay professional. Don't ever swear over the phone at a dispatcher. No sexual innuendos. All calls incoming and outgoing are recorded. I have a go to guy at Panther who is high enough up that he can handle big issues. I'll call his cell phone and it usually gets handled. Don't ask me to name him here because I won't. I've learned not to waste his time with the little crap. Let the little crap slide off your back and get back to earning money. You will develop relationships with those you trust at Panther. There is a jerk or two I don't enjoy dealing with so I don't. This is no different than every other trucking company out there. Be smart.

It took me awhile to figure out the most profitable lanes, and it will take you awhile also. If you stay in the Milwaukee/Detroit to South Carolina corridors you will do very well. Chicago is on fire for us presently. Anywhere in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio are fantastic. Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan are real good. If you will/can go to Canada you will knock it out of the friggen' park money-wise! I grossed $10,000 in November and $12,000 in December. Let me be clear. I am talking money that I deposited into my bank account after I paid for fuel and maintenance, and my insurance and qualcomm deductions (which amount to about $95/week). This is my taxable income. I will earn well in excess of 100K in '09, after all my expenses are paid. I own my truck outright so I have no truck payment. You probably will to start, so plan ahead. Not every month is that good for me, especially if my truck is in the shop or I go home. I see a gal near Chicago so I can get my mail at her place and can chill there if I need a quick break. I've been known to run loads for 20-30 straight days without a chill. You will run 1800-2200 miles per week so get used to it. If you are coming from a company that threw you 3000+ miles per week you'd better find a hobby or buy a puppy. I did both. But you will make more with Panther and your truck won't work as hard so your maintenance bill will be lower.

So how do I do it? To start, I work almost all the time. I am a legal resident of Texas, but I go home maybe four times per year. Why? Because the last time I checked, Texas wasn't in that corridor I've been talking about. If you get to Texas good luck getting a good paying Panther load out. Ain't gonna happen. Also I run lots of loads. I save my load offer turn downs for the seaboard or out West or to parts of Canada that are impossible to get out of.

This is expediting. Which means the freight needs to be there soon. Very soon. And our biggest and most profitable customers are the auto manufacturers. Probably 75% of my shippers and consignees are either the Big Three, Honda, etc. or their suppliers. And if it doesn't get there on time then their lines go down, which costs them thousands. So they pay Panther handsomely to be on time, and in turn Panther will pay their driver handsomely to be on time. Panther keeps stats. My on time % is 100. I am never late! My rate is $1.45 per loaded mile plus a fuel surcharge. I average around $1.80 per loaded mile. I am also paid .35 per deadhead mile. Tolls can be reimbursed but you must negotiate that with the dispatcher. I get $170 extra every time I run a load to Canada. And $50 extra on the return trip. Why? Because freight doesn't pay as much coming out of Canada. I also get paid $25/hour detention after the first two hours. And if I ever touch freight I get paid extra. It's happened three times in two years. There is also $75/night layover pay, which usually only comes into play over weekends.

Everything is negotiable and there is no forced dispatch. Obviously you will not run a load to Manhattan or Long Island for $1.80/mile. So you must learn to negotiate. In fact, I rarely go to the Eastern seaboard. It is not in that Milwaukee/Detroit to South Carolina lane. I will go to Ontario and sometimes even to Montreal. They pay great. Montreal can be tough to get loads out of so I keep a stash of about 7-10 Quebec brokers I've developed a relationship with that I can call to book my own loads. Panther allows that and they only keep 15% of backhaul revenue, meaning the driver keeps 85%. That is very fair, after all it is their trailer and liability insurance.

Payday is every Friday via a deposit to the drivers' Comdata card. You are paid 15 days in arrears so plan ahead. And hawk your paycheck detail. I have discovered errors. Call driver relations and they will get the mistake handled.

If you can, get yourself Canada approved. That means buying a tractor with a wheel base no more that 244 inches. Pete 379, KW W900, FL Coronado won't cut it. Buy something with a Detroit engine if you can because we run lots of light loads and getting 8 miles per gallon will make you smile every time you fill up. Get your hazmat endorsement, get your TWIC so you are cleared to pu and deliver to ports. Get airport approved through Panther. I have all of these and it improves my revenue possibilities. There is nothing better than being 10th on a certain board and leaping over everyone to get a load offer because you are the only one with hazmat or a TWIC. If you are a team get military approved so you can run loads for Elite Services. Put yourself into the best possible position to succeed. And run lots of loads. Panther will take notice of you and treat you great. If you ##### and moan and turn down lots of loads you will be treated accordingly.

In closing, a little story for you. Last month I was at the TA in Lodi, OH. On any given day it looks like a Panther convention there because Panther headquarters is like five miles away. So I'm holding court out in the parking lot with four Panther rookies who just finished orientation, telling them what they can expect and how they can succeed, and a crusty veteran-looking driver pulls up next to us pulling a Panther trailer. He must have had more total driving experience than the five of us combined. He asks us if we run for Panther. And I said yes, all of us. He proceeded to rip Panther to shreads throwing F-bombs everywhere, and announcing he was returning the trailer in the morning and quitting. We listened to all of it and when he was finished I asked him what happened. He said his first Panther load was to Roanoke, VA and then he got stuck there for five days. When he drove on I turned to the rooks and said what a shame because first of all, you don't go to the Seaboard or inland VA (unless paid handsomely) and second, why would you not either empty move yourself out of a very poor area or at least book a backhaul. Once again, be smart. And be proactive.

Hopefully no one who reads this will ever make that horrible mistake. Good luck to everyone no matter who you decide to drive for.

Mark
Click to expand...

How can i contact panther owner fleet . jvar7829@yahoo.com

roadqueen · Mar 8, 2011

Chasedoggy, my boyfriend is leaving for indiana to go pick up a truck for orientation in ohio. What can he expect as far as picking up his truck, orientation, getting loads, and payment for the laods he runs? Thank you for your help chasedoggy, I appreciate it.

roadqueen · Mar 8, 2011

Hi chasedoggy, my boyfriend is going to pick up his truck in indian then go to ohio for orientation with panther. What can we expect as far as picking up the truck, orientation in ohio, how to get loads, and getting paid? Thank you for any advice road queen.

jvar4001 · Apr 21, 2011

xzoomed66 said: ↑

If the driver was in a cargo van theres no way you can run illegal as hell no logs for cargo vans as far for strieght trucks and tractor trailers they have paperless logs system form qual com the new ones have a count down clock for your hours on the screen I drove for a owner this was a big mistake. own your own truck they treat you better (panther does)
Click to expand...

so tell me driver i spoke with a recruiter this week . looks like ive been pre aprove . i dont like to work 1099 becuse you dont paid unemployment in case somthing happens . also is that really true that you dont log on straigth truccks?. my third question is i dont have credit at all what happen when you get aproval as an owner operator do you have any problem on the credit history ? jvar7829@hotmail.com

jvar4001 · Apr 21, 2011

chasedoggy said: ↑

I currently drive a big truck for Panther and I love it. I've been with them for almost two years now.

Panther is a 100% owner operator company. You will get no help from the company when buying or leasing your truck. That is your responsibility and you will be expected to have that handled when you arive in Seville, OH for orientation. The big money is made by those who own their own rig, however, you may work for a fleet owner, which isn't a bad idea if you've never owned your own rig and want to give Panther a test drive. I've also heard good stories about certain fleet owners making side arrangements with drivers allowing them to eventually purchase the trucks they drive and then lease on directly as an o/o with Panther. I can't speak about straight trucks or vans because I've never driven them.

So here's the deal: you must be a big boy. There's no crying in trucking, or so they say. Handle yourself professionally and treat your interactions with Panther like a serious business. Because that is exactly what it is. Just like any other trucking company, Panther is in business to make money. And so are you. Panther makes an effort to be fair, but that doesn't mean there won't be issues you have to deal with or times when you will feel like throwing your qc unit out the window. Things usually work out for me. Stay professional. Don't ever swear over the phone at a dispatcher. No sexual innuendos. All calls incoming and outgoing are recorded. I have a go to guy at Panther who is high enough up that he can handle big issues. I'll call his cell phone and it usually gets handled. Don't ask me to name him here because I won't. I've learned not to waste his time with the little crap. Let the little crap slide off your back and get back to earning money. You will develop relationships with those you trust at Panther. There is a jerk or two I don't enjoy dealing with so I don't. This is no different than every other trucking company out there. Be smart.

It took me awhile to figure out the most profitable lanes, and it will take you awhile also. If you stay in the Milwaukee/Detroit to South Carolina corridors you will do very well. Chicago is on fire for us presently. Anywhere in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio are fantastic. Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, Michigan are real good. If you will/can go to Canada you will knock it out of the friggen' park money-wise! I grossed $10,000 in November and $12,000 in December. Let me be clear. I am talking money that I deposited into my bank account after I paid for fuel and maintenance, and my insurance and qualcomm deductions (which amount to about $95/week). This is my taxable income. I will earn well in excess of 100K in '09, after all my expenses are paid. I own my truck outright so I have no truck payment. You probably will to start, so plan ahead. Not every month is that good for me, especially if my truck is in the shop or I go home. I see a gal near Chicago so I can get my mail at her place and can chill there if I need a quick break. I've been known to run loads for 20-30 straight days without a chill. You will run 1800-2200 miles per week so get used to it. If you are coming from a company that threw you 3000+ miles per week you'd better find a hobby or buy a puppy. I did both. But you will make more with Panther and your truck won't work as hard so your maintenance bill will be lower.

So how do I do it? To start, I work almost all the time. I am a legal resident of Texas, but I go home maybe four times per year. Why? Because the last time I checked, Texas wasn't in that corridor I've been talking about. If you get to Texas good luck getting a good paying Panther load out. Ain't gonna happen. Also I run lots of loads. I save my load offer turn downs for the seaboard or out West or to parts of Canada that are impossible to get out of.

This is expediting. Which means the freight needs to be there soon. Very soon. And our biggest and most profitable customers are the auto manufacturers. Probably 75% of my shippers and consignees are either the Big Three, Honda, etc. or their suppliers. And if it doesn't get there on time then their lines go down, which costs them thousands. So they pay Panther handsomely to be on time, and in turn Panther will pay their driver handsomely to be on time. Panther keeps stats. My on time % is 100. I am never late! My rate is $1.45 per loaded mile plus a fuel surcharge. I average around $1.80 per loaded mile. I am also paid .35 per deadhead mile. Tolls can be reimbursed but you must negotiate that with the dispatcher. I get $170 extra every time I run a load to Canada. And $50 extra on the return trip. Why? Because freight doesn't pay as much coming out of Canada. I also get paid $25/hour detention after the first two hours. And if I ever touch freight I get paid extra. It's happened three times in two years. There is also $75/night layover pay, which usually only comes into play over weekends.

Everything is negotiable and there is no forced dispatch. Obviously you will not run a load to Manhattan or Long Island for $1.80/mile. So you must learn to negotiate. In fact, I rarely go to the Eastern seaboard. It is not in that Milwaukee/Detroit to South Carolina lane. I will go to Ontario and sometimes even to Montreal. They pay great. Montreal can be tough to get loads out of so I keep a stash of about 7-10 Quebec brokers I've developed a relationship with that I can call to book my own loads. Panther allows that and they only keep 15% of backhaul revenue, meaning the driver keeps 85%. That is very fair, after all it is their trailer and liability insurance.

Payday is every Friday via a deposit to the drivers' Comdata card. You are paid 15 days in arrears so plan ahead. And hawk your paycheck detail. I have discovered errors. Call driver relations and they will get the mistake handled.

If you can, get yourself Canada approved. That means buying a tractor with a wheel base no more that 244 inches. Pete 379, KW W900, FL Coronado won't cut it. Buy something with a Detroit engine if you can because we run lots of light loads and getting 8 miles per gallon will make you smile every time you fill up. Get your hazmat endorsement, get your TWIC so you are cleared to pu and deliver to ports. Get airport approved through Panther. I have all of these and it improves my revenue possibilities. There is nothing better than being 10th on a certain board and leaping over everyone to get a load offer because you are the only one with hazmat or a TWIC. If you are a team get military approved so you can run loads for Elite Services. Put yourself into the best possible position to succeed. And run lots of loads. Panther will take notice of you and treat you great. If you ##### and moan and turn down lots of loads you will be treated accordingly.

In closing, a little story for you. Last month I was at the TA in Lodi, OH. On any given day it looks like a Panther convention there because Panther headquarters is like five miles away. So I'm holding court out in the parking lot with four Panther rookies who just finished orientation, telling them what they can expect and how they can succeed, and a crusty veteran-looking driver pulls up next to us pulling a Panther trailer. He must have had more total driving experience than the five of us combined. He asks us if we run for Panther. And I said yes, all of us. He proceeded to rip Panther to shreads throwing F-bombs everywhere, and announcing he was returning the trailer in the morning and quitting. We listened to all of it and when he was finished I asked him what happened. He said his first Panther load was to Roanoke, VA and then he got stuck there for five days. When he drove on I turned to the rooks and said what a shame because first of all, you don't go to the Seaboard or inland VA (unless paid handsomely) and second, why would you not either empty move yourself out of a very poor area or at least book a backhaul. Once again, be smart. And be proactive.

Hopefully no one who reads this will ever make that horrible mistake. Good luck to everyone no matter who you decide to drive for.

Mark
Click to expand...

i been pre- aprove at panther this week . if you or any northeast owners need a driver send me an email jvar7829@yahoo.com

scrap2do · Apr 21, 2011

Must say the long story the other fellow wrote sound alot like the orientation speach i heard. That being said.

The main problem with going with Panther is money. It takes 3 weeks to get your first paycheck unless you give them 10% then you get fast pay and it only takes 2 weeks. After you stop giving the 10% you have to wait the 3 weeks again. Advances are to cover your fuel and are 55% of your contract rate $1.35mi. You ONLY recieve advances on the loaded miles and only after your loaded. So if you deadhead 150mi to get a load you better have the fuel to get there, get loaded then get to truckstop to fuel. The advance ISN'T enough to cover your fuel for the load. So, you will need enough cash to cover your fuel cost for all MT miles and 25% of the loaded miles you run. They don't have any maint. plans so if you get a flat you are SOL unless you have the cash to fix-it on the side of the road yourself. There lease purchase doesn't exist. You lease a truck from Celadon out of Indy then drive it to OH for orientation.

If you sit for a day or two "and you will" waiting for a load, pray you don't idle out all of your fuel. Remember you get 55% of the loaded mi. so 1.35x.55= .7425 with fuel upto $4.58gl you better avg. 7mi a gallon and don't idle or sit in traffic.

Not a bad company if you have the money to float yourself for a month or two till you get going.

Then again if you had that kind of money you wouldn't need to read this.

chasedoggy · Apr 23, 2011

Howdy all. It's been over a year since I left Panther and I understand there's been a lot of changes. Like the base tractor rate has dropped from 1.45 to 1.35 and now they offer help in getting you a truck.

Look, there is no doubt Panther is a pain in the ### to deal with. I'm sure that hasn't changed. And I still believe they f'ed me at the end, but I learned more while being with them that has set me up for my future in trucking. Yes I came back after 6 months working in non-trucking.

If I could make a couple recommendations here. Don't worry about the rate drop. You should be negotiating every single load anyway. You should always be asking for more than is offered. And don't be afraid to lose a load here and there to make your point.

And with regards to using their help in getting a truck... don't! You will get a truck that was previously driven by a company driver. Most company drivers don't give a darn about the equipment. Truck paper dot com has over 77,000 trucks for sale right now. Find an owner operator who's selling his truck for like 30k and hammer the living you know what out of him. Offer him 18k cash... he'll take 20k. Or if you don't have the cash make him carry back the paper. It's a buyer's market right now and a lot of cats have their trucks sitting in their front yards gathering dust. The first truck I bought was $34,500. I gave the o/o $3k down and he carried back the $31,500 of paper at 12%. I paid it off in 51 weeks while at Panther and ran the final year with no truck payment. What a liberating feeling.

Good luck to all.

Mark

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