Tango Transport

Update on lease info...

Don't do it, unless you're ready to go broke.

Before I discuss the lease. I'll discuss the down payment assist. Tango will LOAN you $2000 (interest free) on a truck that you work your own financing out on, independently. If you need down payment assistance.

Payments can vary, depending on the year model. They currently offer No down payment no credit check through Quality. They have other options, that require money as a down from you.

On average, payments are $500 a week, with .09 per mile going to an "warranty fund". This fund replaces the escrow account...per se. And takes care of warranty work through the life of the lease. Along with tires, oil changes, etc etc. They KEEP what's left at the end of the lease, since it's a warranty payment and not a true escrow account.

Running the hard numbers on this, through a CPA. Most of the drivers who have leased a truck, will be out of them within a year, if they do not have a healthy bank account going in.

Hard Numbers- with payments due EVERY week*. These total between $500 and $577 a week.

Lease payment*
Bob Tail Insurance*
Workmans Comp*
QualComm*
Prepass*

I may have missed something. I'll check my notes.

Running a best guess using 6 miles per gallon as a target, with fuel at $2.80 a gallon. And paying yourself $.30 a mile.

That's $.86 from every mile you run (this includes your warranty fee). BEFORE the above mentioned expenses.

Leaving you with .31 a mile to pay the above mentioned expenses. Current fuel surcharge is .27 a mile.

If you can not manage better than 5.5 per gallon, add another nickel to that figure for .91, leaving you .26 to make your payment

Keep in mind... This means you will NEVER idle your truck...to hold those numbers. And you STILL haven't done your taxes, nor do you have personal insurance.

 

The bad thing is...Tango doesn't have many O/O'S left. They are leaving in groups.

 

I see them every day. Lots of them, and I'm not speaking of lease ops.

 

I wish I could run up with some of them....I was at the west Memphis terminal today and 6 were getting decals off and qualcomm removed. I would like to know if they are OTR or Regional guys, our average length of haul has dropped WAY down.

 

I can't confirm or deny that in all fairness, your length of haul.

I see 4 or 5 O/Ops every time I hit the Mansfield mill. Which can be 2 or 3 times a week.

I run regional, so my average length of haul is only about 300 miles on a good day. So I have to hustle to squeak those miles, and it gets tough some days. Especially when I'm looking at Campti or Mansfield.

I have noted an increase in empty trucks over the past couple of weeks at the Sibley yard. Not sure if it's old trucks being taken off the road, drivers quitting, or drivers taking the lease route.

One thing I have had to learn since starting with Tango.

Planning...and lots of it. I'm not speaking about a pre-plan. I talking about a personal plan for getting the hell out.

If you don't have a plan when you hit Campti or Mansfield...you're toast. And you're going to lose miles, and loads.

While they may scream about the 10 break. I haven't had an issue with the logging department about running in a split, although it drives my DM nuts.

I do often wonder if the load planners are smoking crack some days

 

You are very correct on the planning!! OTR'S length of haul has dropped to the point whereas you are glad to get a 500 or 600 mile trip...and ever since they started paying detention at mansfield...what a couple months ago...I havent been back!! It also seems that Tango isn't a true OTR company...every weekend I end up sitting on Sunday in MS,LA,OR TX, yea I get a 34 but I live in NC...I can sit at the house, while I still like Tango I'm starting to wonder if it is just a regional company for guys living in states around LA.

 

Detention ?? What's that ?

Strictly rumor mind you. Detention doesn't start, until you have that time stamped weight ticket. I'm believing this, because since they announced paying it. Mansfield stacks us up outside the scales...not letting us in. Safety concerns and all....you know.

Just like you, I like the company. Would I change some things? Sure, who wouldn't. Length of haul would be the first thing.

As a regional driver, I don't expect any changes. Nor do I really want them. But OTR needs those increased miles IMHO. I have noticed O/O are getting some nice loads out of Mansfield. But, they're having to live load more often.

I do believe things would be different for me if I lived somewhere else. I'm fortunate enough to live close to one of the box plants, centrally located between mills.

I've yet to miss a weekend home. Although a buddy of mine that lives less than 30 miles from me, has missed 3 weekends in the past 3 months. Still a good average, if you ask me. He whines from time to time about miles. But I'm quick to point out he is making more money here, than his last job running more miles.

One of my real concerns about the company. Is the number of roll overs that are occurring. I know this isn't the company's fault. But it will eventually trickle down throughout the company and it's drivers, having a negative effect on us all.

Sadly, I believe they will have to increase their experience requirements and be a bit more selective when it comes to hiring drivers. Years driving doesn't necessarily reflect practical experience. IE ALL of my experience combined, doesn't equal the ability to pull over-sized loads. I pointed this out during orientation when they requested I list flatbed in past experience, and I refused. I have past experience with a low-boy, hauling heavy equipment....that IS NOT flat bed experience in my book.

 

I'm starting orientation on Aug 2nd. I sure hope this is a good move. finding a trucking job that fits is hard. With 9 out of 10 companies that are crooks. I get worn thin, most of the good owners are gone. The gov is taking our industry over,what a shame. So here I go.

 

I notice you haven't posted since this one. How did things go ??


BTW, updating on the detention. Been getting paid for it....lots of it LMAO.

 

RED ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!

Have been informed Tango has inked a deal for the USA Trucking terminal located in Shreveport, LA. Tango will start moving into facility in Oct or Nov. I am sure there will be more changes at Tango regarding this facility.

Also, Tango is now using CSA 2010 scores, along with the usual stuff, to evaluate new recruits. 25 new recruits were in orientation and only 12 survived due to CSA 2010. Now more than ever, PROTECT YOUR CSA 2010 SCORE!!! It will effect what company will or will not hire you.

Was also told Tango goal for 2011 is 922 trucks. Don't know if this includes Owner Operators or just company trucks.

Tango is also looking to hire around 20 new driver managers to lower the driver manager/truck ratio down from 50-60 trucks to about 20-30 trucks per manager. I personally think this part of it is a great idea.

They are also supposed to start a full fledged "breakdown" service that will be staffed 24/7 by people that actually know what they are doing. Not sure when this will be implemented.