Fleece/Purchase programs

Most lease ops are responsible for their costs - including fuel. I don't get "reimbursed" for fuel, its one of my costs. Buy low, don't use a lot.

"That fuel" is a commodity that I buy in bulk to support my business, and has nothing to do with "if I break down." Being broken down is a reason for "going negative" - through costs for repairs and lost revenue. The fuel in my tanks (especially if the price of #2 diesel goes up) has nothing to do with being broken down.

"Ending the week low on fuel" means that I'm gambling... that the price of #2 diesel doesn't go up, that I won't be dispatched into a region with high fuel prices, etc. Its also an excuse for viewing your settlement check as a paycheck - that's how you go broke.

If you want to be successful at this game, fuel is your number one controllable expense... its the low hanging fruit, and everything else is peanuts compared to it - unless you have employee costs. There are only a couple of ways to minimize it - by getting great fuel economy, and by paying the absolute lowest attainable cost for your fuel. Passing up a fuel stop with a low price just to maximize your weekly settlement means that you're leaving money on the table in the long run. PERIOD.

 

What IronPony said, 100%. Get as much cheap fuel as you can when you can and absolutely do not worry about carrying over from week to week. If you happen to do so it simply means one week's settlement will be lower and it will be made up the following week. If you purchase as much of the cheapest fuel you can wherever and whenever you can you'll end up saving more over the long run.

Good luck,

Jim

 

I dont think the lease will help you get away from creative logging, as long as your using paper dispatchers and load planners will always push to the limits. I might suggest you find a company that is using elogs. Not exactly the best answer but it helps. I've recently switch and the issue im having is the 70 hour rule but everything else seems the same. Good luck if you chose a lease, best advise I can give you is try to purchase the truck on your own through the dealer or bank.

 

That is one thing I argue about with my company I lease from. They only recommend getting enough fuel to do the next load you are assigned to and they recommend ending your week on empty every week to keep your settlements balanced every week. I don't agree at all. If I start a week with empty tanks and I know I can get a great price on fuel and fill up at the end of the week I am going to do it. I don't care if my settlement takes a hit that week because I will make more money in the long run. It doesn't matter to me if I make less this week and more next week because I keep enough money in my bank where it does not matter.

 

If you are running for a carrier that you have to "creatively log" in order to make money, you're at the wrong carrier.

Elogs only means that you'll be logging legally - and the bears know it. Keeps you out from behind the coop. That keeps the money in your pocket, and the CSA points reserved for those on paper logs with the creative flair.

 

Depends on the carrier, management, and your driver manager. That's part of the research you have to do before jumping in the deep end. IMO, you're probably better off driving for a carrier offering a lease or lease/purchase as an employee for awhile to get a feel for how the place works.

 

Well I wouldn't lease under your current DM since your relationship is so good with them

So now if you switch companies you are going to want to spend a good 6-8 months to see how your new dispatcher will work out and to see what kind of miles you will be getting. I don't think you quite have a grasp on how the industry works yet.

 

I finally gave in and signed on with C.R. England and I pick up my new truck on Wednesday. It's the best thing I've ever done--I'm confident I've made the right decision.

 

Did you note the part where I wrote.... "YOU ARE PROBABLY BETTER OFF"?

I've worked at creating good rapport with all of my FMs... there's no sense turning that into an adversarial relationship since their decisions have a great bearing on your financial future - unless you want the guy to screw you over. Or is it that you just enjoy that position???