Containers as an O/O ... help me decide..

Haulin containers, theres nothing to it. Just like a dry van just a lot more top heavy. You have four pins on all four corners that you hand turn to lock. May have to use hammer every now and then. Containers chassis will blow tires in the heat so be ready. I have blown four to five in one week but have also gone weeks with no blow out. I was a company driver so not sure what O/O make. If your looking for compaines try Intermodal Cartage in Memphis,Tn, and Comtrax also out of Memphis both are very good companies. BTT-(Bridge Terminal Transport) has terminals all over the US and hires only O/O I see them alot but not sure about the company.

 

I have hauled containers out of charleston, sc as an o/o and co driver as an o/o I was making about $1500 a week after expenses, I belive my best was just over $1800, however this was in 07 and 08. Then then economy went bad and my checks dropped big, I bailed out before I lost everything. The ports were slow and my checks went down to $1300 then $110 then 900 and so on all the way to $300. T knew then I had to get out. I kept thinking things would get better but they didn't. I have noticed the ports look to be picking up a little. I would recommened talking to a few companies and see what they say and talk to a few drivers pulling containers and see what they are talking about. Maybe work as a co driver for a bit and u can see the money in it. I will tell you I did a job with a tanker co about 8 months ago and the o/o told me they are still pocketing $2000 on a bad week might want to think about that. Hope this helps.

 

I used to haul freight out of the Port of Charleston and one local container outfit was bragging up their .85 cpm... while I was loading $1.85 mile freight at the same port... I guess I don't see how anyone can make it unless they have a 41500.00 tractor and never pay for repairs.

 

Haven't hauled cans in years, but I know it's much harder than it appears to be. I see alot of them running out of NO and Houston ports; mostly "minority" types running hard with crappy old equipment.

Cabovers are not that bad, we survived in em for alot of years. But they're gonna be labor intensive just because they're old and not a whole lot of parts available anymore; not many "old school" mechanic types around either.

 

I hauled cans for five years , had to bail , was about to lose everything , rates suck to much compitition from folks not from the states etc. I would look at sompthing diff if i were you . I still have friends that are doing it , if they didnt have so much money tied up in equipt they would be bailing also .

 

Depends on what you do...... I haul the ISO's as a diet for a common carrier. I'm a company hand. Suits me because I'm semi-retired.

In Houston she's right...the minorities have it solid on the box side. They cut you off, swap lines and generally don't look and drive junk. Rates are not to hot for that reason. Why pay when you don't have too ?

My gig is chemicals. Load 'em and return 'em to the ports and rails. Easy enough when you get what everybody wants like placard location etc.

Some things to consider: The Port Of Los Angeles is trying to bar O/O's because they allegedly can't afford cleaner better trucks. That's working it's way through the courts and if successful will bleed all over the country. ( eventually )

The Port Of Houston has formed a chassis pool of all lines ( for the boxes ) and the carriers are holding the O/O's financially responsible for everything found wrong when you turn it back in. $200 tires and $50. lights will eat you up quick. The O/O's are fighting back by changing carriers as this adopted so it hasn't stuck to the wall yet.

Clearly some challenges in the Ports but I believe with some research you can find a carrier to suit. Try Schneider or Mason Dixon to start. Yak with them on these points.
Their deep pockets will provide some insulation from blow back.

Good hunting.

 

"In Houston she's right..."

Uhhhh, Chalupa..... I ain't a "she".... in Houston or anywhere's else.