For The New Guys and Gals Going Into Driving Straight Trucks

So Jimmy, what's the turnover rate at Panther??

(I have a thread here on Gordon Trucking, also currently participating on Surfer Joe's thread, OTR Pay Poverty Wages.)

 

Some info on Panther. Lost $3.4 million in 2011. I've always had a high regard for ABF. "The acquisition combines two radically different types of transport operator in one portfolio." Complete article that follows found at: http://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/arkansas-best-buys-panther-expedited-180-million_20120614.html

Arkansas Best, parent of less-than-truckload operator ABF Freight System, is acquiring non-asset carrier Panther Expedited Services for $180 million.
The transaction, possibly the largest trucking acquisition in a year of accelerated merger activity, is expected to close June 14, the companies said.
The acquisition gives $1.9 billion Arkansas Best a presence in the non-asset expedited logistics arena, a new fast-growing market for the holding company.
Panther, a $215 million company, offers on-demand expedited transportation in the U.S. and worldwide. It’s a fast-growing field fueled by lean supply chains.
The Seville, Ohio-based company is the second-largest expedited carrier in the U.S., after FedEx Custom Critical, according to data from SJ Consulting Group.
That data indicates Panther increased its expedited revenue about 5 percent in 2011, while the total top five expedited carriers increased combined expedited revenue 9.3 percent.
Panther Expedited is an “excellent strategic fit” for Arkansas Best as it works to offer end-to-end logistics solutions, said President and CEO Judy R. McReynolds.
“We are very enthusiastic about this unique transaction, which met all of our criteria for growth among many options we analyzed for several years,” she said.
The acquisition will push the Fort Smith, Ark.-based holding company beyond the $2 billion revenue mark in 2012 and accelerate Arkansas Best’s diversification.
“With Panther operating as a sister company to ABF Freight, our core LTL business, we are better positioned to serve as a premier one-source logistics partner.”
The acquisition combines two radically different types of transport operator in one portfolio.
ABF is a unionized carrier with about 10,000 employees, mostly Teamsters, that moves palletized freight on a scheduled basis through its terminal network.
The carrier, founded in 1923, is the sixth-largest U.S. LTL carrier, according to SJ Consulting Group data, ranked just below Old Dominion Freight Line.
Panther, founded in 1992, provides door-to-door service through a network of 5,000 ground and air line-haul carriers, all independent contractors.
Both companies are struggling to maintain profitability in the wake of the recession.
Last year, ABF Freight reported a $4.7 million operating profit on $1.73 billion in revenue, but the carrier lost $22 million in the first quarter of 2012.
Panther lost $3.4 million in 2011, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and other charges of $23.5 million, according to data released by the companies.
Contact William B. Cassidy at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @wbcassidy_joc



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So why is this website even in existence? If we should figure it out for ourselves?

According to you, we should find out about the likes of WERNER, CRST, and CRE all by ourselves, not listen to someone who has experienced it first hand.

I've known people who drove for Panther contractors. Some liked it, some hated it. But I've also known about Panther and other expediter dispatchers, who own trucks. Guess whose trucks are the first to move?

 

I take most everything I read around here, with a grain o' salt. Many people just vent after having a bad day, week, month, etc. Or they thought they were lied to, or let go unfairly.

But, when you see the same company names coming up again, and again, and again, then most people figure there has to be a problem with the company itself. And, most of those companies are the CRE's, the Werner's, the CRST's. For some, that's their only chance to get started in the industry.

I've worked for a few "klinkers', but that was before the Web became popular. I've also had day's, weeks, etc, where I would have said some of the same things others are harping about. But I would try to present it as my individual case. This is what happened to me. And why I thought I was wronged. Then, if someone else reads into it that the whole company is bad, that's their prerogative. When I meant one person, or several persons, or events, is why I'm griping.

 

I agree with jimmy. Ive seen guys bash the company I work for, and though I am still in training I have yet to come across anything I couldn't handle or would keep me feom reccomending my company. But its all abouf perspective and attitude. You have drivers that come in saying I will not drive the northeast and i will not do this or that. Or they wont take one crap load to get the good run that they have wanted. Then you have other drivers who take whatever load given. Drive till the can. Shut down for ten hours and then get going again. Ive been in training for four weeks of an eight week program and we have sat on one Sunday waiting for a load. No biggie we found a restaurant showing football ate and then went to the truckstop for our ten hours. Me...I have come from an office environment. Ive been laid off, lisd to, cursed at etc....trucking is my dream job. So, maybe I am biased, but you cant believe everything you read.

 

This thread is one day old, and no one has accused him of being a recruiter yet? You guy's are slipping.