Owning but not driving

just took a job at Kenan Advantage as a company driver start in two weeks, sound good they were very nice through the process.they pay buy the mile and the load,
if anyone works are worked for them would like to know the pros and cons. thanks

 

Where I live it is simpler to buy a tractor and shed 10% of gross for dispatch and what not. They dispatch, give your their trailer and repair it, provide parking when home, no authority to worry about,will even help to find a decent driver and place to repair. How can you beat that value for your one truck operation? With a flatbed rates generally higher than dry van you should make as much or little less than your driver,1000-1300 a week after expenses. Provided that you get a reliable truck,a good driver, why not?

 

Why not? Because you are relying on someone else to negotiate rates and book freight for you. You really think they will give two ****s about the rate? And most drivers don't take home $1300 so why would you put that out there. I'd say closer to $800-$1000 take home. You might have 1 or 2 really good weeks but take the average, not the exception.

 

In chicagoland a flatbed trucker or a reefer driver make 50 cpm. I know because 42 cpm is what they pay for dry van. 1300 dollars is easy.
They also care about the rate if you actually own the equipment.Would you stay with the company if you you are owner operator and did not make good money? They have the same dispatchers for owners and contract drivers -they try to make everybody happy.
Yes,some guys here will call it an Euro co with Volvos and drivers who barely speak English and wear striped sweat pants. Others will see an opportunity to drive new equipment 70+ mph, 3000+ m per week, 42 cpm. Here is your 1300 $, yes you still have to pay taxes but it is another skill.

 

Your wife might be better off taking a truck brokerage course and running a freight brokerage firm. There would be less time involved and it would be something she can do at home.

 

It's a really lazy, sloppy way to run a truck and no, they really don't care as much as you do about the rates to your truck. They make money on volume all the same. No-one is going to work as hard as #1 on getting the best rate possible, you're crazy if you think otherwise. An owner pulling a dry van needing someone to hold their hand and "take care of everything" will never see anything other than subpar rates.

 

I like lazy. I cant park a truck next to my house, I dont know how to rebuild an engine with a buddy on Sat night-I envy those who can though, I dont want to pay for my own authority or buy and maintain a trailer,etc.. I like the asshauling part, so that is what I specialize in. You are right,there is definitely some money left on the table,for me it is not worth it. As long as their dispatch averages 1.9 per mile ,I say bring on the volume. I just turned 26, for me trucking is just another step, after a few years of good investment, it will not matter much.

 

Good luck getting a $1.90 with that outlook. Have to question where that number even comes from. No "dispatch" out there does a real breakdown showing an average rate on a $1.90 with empty miles included cause then the ugly truth would be known. These companies don't have a clue what the true average their operators earn. You'll never suffer for a lack of freight or miles. Go buy gold you'll get a much better return.

 

I am about the best paying gig around and know the numbers in this business backwards and forwards. What you are describing can only be done with a small shop that has a spare trailer and looking for an extra truck or two to cover excess freight. They are looking for people that are no hassle.

The dispatch part is the killer. You just can't afford the type of person you need to get those rates with those miles. And if they could, why would they be giving it away? Not saying they have to cheat a driver with $1.40/mile or 70% of gross range but everyone could make a good, fair living at 80% range.

 

Look at it this way- the company pays to contract drivers 42cpm, 50cpm for flatbed and reefer, it costs at least 1.10 to run equipment =1.6$. Believable so far? Boss nets of those contract drivers around 45 cpm which allowed to replace 75 % of fleet with brand new I Shift Volvos and new Utility trailers .They have to average close to 2$ per mile otherwise I am hallucinating every time I come to yard. My old dispatcher quit, she told me on the phone she averaged 2.2 per mile for a dispatched mile - practical route. Another similar Co - Arka - said averages 1.95 also, that is 200+ truck company ,the same location, must be a good enough sample.
There is always one last resort left- to do your own math. My paid miles are off no more than 50 from odometer miles on any given week.
And yes, 10% still needs to be taken out from that but the reduced costs make it worth.
I used to be with 2 mega carriers before. And those are exactly the kind of folks I would call ' THESE COMPANIES'