Gonna try ATS for a year

Discussion in 'Anderson' started by Linte_Loco, Mar 30, 2018.

  1. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    Apr 24, 2011
    LA (lower Alabama)
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    Been with a flatbed company for 8 years now as a company driver. Everything is fine with them as far as a company driver goes, but I need to step up now.

    Thought about getting my own truck and leasing to current company but I need some exp as a O/O without too much invested. I have done tons of research on leasing and feel it best for me to give it a year to get hands on operating costs and such before I take the final step.

    Best for me to stick with flatbed for now even though I hate it some days :( And would like to move up my skill some with bigger loads. Doing that 1 big load a week as opposed to many bs loads is my goal down the road. I feel ATSgives me a chance to test more unique challenges.

    My main goal for the year is to learn more about operating costs. My personal income I’m hoping to gross about 800 a week for me personally. It’s all up and down I know week to week, but I’m more concerned about monthly take home then weekly. I would like to save as much as possible of course, that is goal 2

    I will start financial secure from a personal standpoint. I’ve covered my personal obligations for 2 months to start. Have 4 credit cards with a limit of 15k. Paid off and a few grand in bank. Not a great start imo to get my own truck yet plus I need a little exp operation wise before I get my own truck.

    I know I’ll make the year, I’m just hoping I can squirrel some cash aside as well. But the exp is priority
    I understand I have to work smarter not harder, but I also know I may be out for weeks on end. I’m prepared

    I will update when I can. The odds are against me, but I always get the job done no matter what
     
    x1Heavy and Robert Eroica Dupea Thank this.
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  3. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    Throw all but maybe one of the credit cards away they're nothing but a hole you're circling if you ask me
     
  4. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    Apr 24, 2011
    LA (lower Alabama)
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    I’ve been circling that hole for almost 30 years on one and 10 on the other 3. I know how to handle them. I get what you mean

    It’s all good believe that:biggrin_255:
     
    Trucker61016 Thanks this.
  5. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    Finished orientation last Friday. Very nice facility and lodging. Was delayed for orientation due to my plane being grounded Sunday for a broken windshield wiper;) had a connecting flight from Baltimore that I would have missed. They got me a rental car within minutes from Tampa international and a efs code for 250 for gas. Very well handled considering. Cudos to John my recruiter. A couple others were delayed due to weather. So we essentially started Tuesday and ended noon Friday instead of Thursday.

    Started with 10 people and ended up with 7. 4 flat and 3 van. Didn’t lose any van drivers.

    They of course logged class time and I ended up with about 35 hours Friday left to work with. I needed to grab some stuff from home for truck( Florida ). So I got a load going to port Everglades that ended up netting me $2,400 when it’s all said and done. Had 1 minute on my 70 when I parked Monday afternoon and will reset 2 a.m Wednesday. Will get 1 more load this week. It was a tough decision to bite a long load resetting Monday, but I wanted to hit the ground running and grab some stuff.

    Ended up with a 2014 579 isx. With 344,000 miles. They gave me a full service record before signing and I read all of it. 1 accident that involved replacing hood. ECM replaced at 130,000 miles.Flwaless trip and fuel mileage was only 6.4 all miles(1800) Had to run hard due to time. Once I get caught up and running normal I’ll dial in on expenses. Was supposed to deliver Tuesday but I got it off Monday. Needed to get reset Wednesday instead of recapping. No hours available Tuesday anyway. So might as well push to get reset by early Wednesday.

    Really good people at St. Cloud. Terminal is right down road from main office. They even have truck parking at main office. Right off 94. Very convenient if passing through and need something. So far on the up and up with me. Sign on bonus pays out at 5 payments. Got EFS code for first payment on first dispatch. They set you up well, now it’s up to me.
     
    CoryScott Thanks this.
  6. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    Jackson Center Ohio
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    My buddy jesse is over at ats about to finish his initial lease with the company. Hes sticking around and ordering his truck from their freightliner dealer. This is his 4th lease thats hes been in, and the only one where hes been able to make money and not be in the hole weeks at a time.
     
    t bird and Linte_Loco Thank this.
  7. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    LA (lower Alabama)
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    Good to hear. I’ve already had 3 load offers for Wednesday all requiring GA bounce. Held my ground for now though. They allow us to use Sureway board if needed. I’m searching today for a so so load from here to GA. Some decent options
     
  8. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    Apr 24, 2011
    LA (lower Alabama)
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    Gonna grab a rental car and pop home today. 120 miles. Might be out of my way for next load. 18 bucks

    Almost made it home for reset:(
     
  9. Rooster1291979

    Rooster1291979 Road Train Member

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    NOLA
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    Who did you get for a fm?
     
  10. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Earth
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    $800 a week? That's pretty #### low. What was the CPM at the last company that would get you 800? Oh, are you talking about paying yourself $800/week as an O/O?
     
  11. Linte_Loco

    Linte_Loco Road Train Member

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    Apr 24, 2011
    LA (lower Alabama)
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    Brittany
     
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