Life's been good to me at act-lease operator

Well I used to post on here alot but got burned out on it.I've read some of the post you guy's have sent in and it seems everbody is doing pretty well.I spent alot of my time last summer and fall recruiting driver's for ACT and did ok,but its alot of work and can actually almost drive you crazy.ACT is very picky about the driver's they hire and 9 out of 10 dont qualify.I dont have a problem with that and am actually glad,because everybody that works here is pretty good people.By that I mean that you're around good safe,competent driver's.

I had a great first year(I Think),I cleared 60k without counting recruit money.The truck I have has been the best truck I've ever drove.Have not been in the shop for any reason,other than pm's and minor things(a leaking power steering hose).Hope to God this keeps up(forever).I change my oil around 20k and dont wait till 35k between changes.

For you new ACT driver's or anyone for that matter,one of the best investments you can make is 500$ to save 6 to 7000$ a year is to do what I did.Get a good 2000 watt inverter installed.Take your passenger seat out and go to best buy and get a fridgidaire refrigerator,not a tiny one but actual apartment size about 3 1/2 ft tall with a nice size freezer.It's very easy to mount(2 ratchet straps) and then buy a microwave.200 for inverter,230 for fridge(with 2 yr ext warranty) and 70 for a microwave.

By doing this I have saved over 3000 in food cost in the last 6 months.Cheapest most effective investment I have made on this truck.I have coffee and a sausage biscuit for 75cents, truckstop 4$ so on with lunch and dinner.The thing is to have a big freezer.If you go look in walmart at the frozen food section,nowaday's you can get anything you like that's ready to go and really good,but it has to stay frozen.

And no I don't do dishes.Everthing I use is throw away.Plates,forks,bowls etc.I havent been in a truck stop resturant in 4 months.Another great thing is I can park anywhere and I have every thing I need.I love it!You also save alot of fuel by not getting of the road and finding a truckstop to park and go in and eat or get a cold drink.The fridge doors face the drivers seat,so when I want a drink or a snack i just reach in while i'm cruising down the road.

Elog drivers will save maybe 4 or 5 hrs a week by being able to park right at receiver or shipper and having eeverything you need.
Like I said,very easy to do and can be done in an hour or so with a socket and a wrench(4 Bolts hold the seat and one nut on seat belt).My buddy Blacklions has the same setup as I do and is also loving it.It's all about the bottom line and this is a easy way to save alot of money and really eat better than any resturant or fast food.Also a great way for you overweight guys to buy healthier food and lose some weight.

I ran 3200 miles this week,but am sitting in Wentzville MO after dropping yesterday here at 1600 and I was #1 at 0700 this am on the list but its 1000 and no loads yet,bummer.Will be posting on here and trying to keep up better with you guy's

 

Thanks pattj,I agree with you on most small fridges fall apart in a truck(same thing i was told) thats why i went with the big one with a warranty at best buy so if it goes bad I can just swap it out anywhere theres a bestbuy.I guess you guy's cant do that because you need the passenger seat.I looked into those portable freezers too and they're very expensive but probably worth every penny.I found a good selection on ebay(I hate buying stuff at truck stops because the rip a driver off so bad)I dont know if you go to truck shows but a couple of the companys that make those portable freezers were at MATS 4 yrs ago when I went and thats where I first saw them and they were running some pretty good sales on them there.Its coming up in a month in Louisville.If you havent been to that one GO because there are alot of great products for truckers there.I'm going to try my hardest to go for a couple days this year.

 

Didn't get a load mon and was kind of shocked,first time i've had to sit in a while and I was first up on the board.Took a load from Bloomfield,MO(yuk)tues at noon to Ottawa,IL it was the shortest load of the choices but I like going to Ottawa because of the good loads out of there.Sure enough got a preplan for TX with 3 stops for fri morning,just what I was hoping for,only going to have 1450 miles fri morning but who knows,might get lucky and catch something good and end up ok for the week.

ACT's been great so far this winter and last also.I've been here 15 months and frieght was pretty good through both winters with not to many slow weeks.We have a great customer base and that is the key.I go out of my way to be nice to all our regular customers,without them and having to rely on brokered frieght,I think we would all be screwed.

 

Hey ghettochild,see you started with another company.Hope you like it,you still need to come back here.I've been doing everything the same and staying pretty busy,can't complain.It's trucking, you have those weeks every once and a while.Just got hold your head up and keep pushing.