What would you do?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by AlphaEMandy, Oct 13, 2011.

  1. Oct 13, 2011 #1
    AlphaEMandy

    AlphaEMandy Bobtail Member

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    Oct 13, 2011
    Waterloo, IA
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    Ladies and gentlemen I need a question answered honestly. I am a dispatcher (please don't stone me, I am a nice lady I promise!) and my drivers are super frustrated. I work for an expediting company that has flatbed trailers as well as cargo vans. We don't have a semi tractor but we do pull flatbed trailers (we have a 20, 26, 30, and 40 ft) with a dually or with a pickup truck.

    The cargo van freight we have been getting has all but dried up. My guys are upset because they can't make ends me. I am frustrated for them. The owners I don't know if they don't care or if they are scared to make a move (in regards to buying a semi tractor and getting some business in the door). I do have some O/O's (they own cargo vans or pick up trucks).

    Here's my question, if you were an O/O, would you go out and a semi tractor, dump the current employer, ect? I feel bad for my guys. They are bleeding financially and I want to help.
     
    AlphaEMandy, Oct 13, 2011
    AlphaEMandy, Oct 13, 2011
    #1
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  3. Oct 14, 2011 #2
    Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    Nov 30, 2008
    Sioux Falls, SD
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    As an O/O I have a responsiblility to look after my own company. I pull freight, if you don't have it I will find companies that do. That's life. The fact that your company can't provide enough freight is sad but I will do everything to be sure it doesn't effect my company. I would tell you to call me when you do have freight..bye. If your guys just have pickups/CVs and your asking should they buy class 8 tractors? There are many more factors that go into that decision and I certainly wouldn't buy one and tie myself to a company based on a slight hope that freight will increase.

    Lots of companies are hurting, I hope it works out for you guys.
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2011
    Dryver, Oct 14, 2011
    Dryver, Oct 14, 2011
    #2
    AlphaEMandy Thanks this.
  4. Oct 14, 2011 #3
    SHC

    SHC Spoiled Rotten Brat O/O

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    Feb 26, 2011
    Westville, IN
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    It is up to your O/O to make ends meet, not yours. If you don't have freight, and you have told them this, and they don't go elsewhere, then it is their own stupidity for not finding the money. All you can do is tell them the truth and they have to put on their big boy undies and go to work.

    Not sure why they have not already to be honest..... maybe there is just no other work out there in the boonies???

    Also, if you want to inform them that the "camper hauler" industry is back into full swing again here in the Elkhart, IN area, that might help. Since they already have the pick-up trucks.

    The cargo van guys will prob need to call Fed-Ex Custom Critical

    But to all of them, they won't be home each night like they were before, prob have to stay out a week or two at a time, just like the big rig's.
     
    SHC, Oct 14, 2011
    SHC, Oct 14, 2011
    #3
  5. Oct 20, 2011 #4
    AlphaEMandy

    AlphaEMandy Bobtail Member

    8
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    Oct 13, 2011
    Waterloo, IA
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    Thanks SHC. The O/O have said something to me several times. I am honest with them and tell them things have dried up for now. They seem to just want to yell at me for it (like I am preventing customers from calling or something). I have suggested to the cargo guys to sign onto someone else as well as us but they don't seem to want to. I will just tell them what you guys told me :)
     
    AlphaEMandy, Oct 20, 2011
    AlphaEMandy, Oct 20, 2011
    #4
  7. Jan 17, 2012 #5
    jinxutoo

    jinxutoo Light Load Member

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    Jan 17, 2012
    Illinois
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    Hello to all you owner operators.

    My husband is going to buy a semi within a few months. He is thinking about leasing on to Universal Am-CAN. Is this a good company to do this with? Is there any advice you can offer I would really appreciate it. He knows alot about what he has to do ofcourse. We are not walking into this with blinders on. It would be great just to talk with some owner operators with experience also.

    Thanks,
    Debbie
     
    jinxutoo, Jan 17, 2012
    jinxutoo, Jan 17, 2012
    #5
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