Get us out of Denver!

Actually, Panther takes 15 percent of loads the driver books. It got to the point I was booking 40 percent of my own freight and I started thinking "What do I need Panther for"? New contractors need to start networking immediatly and develop relationships w/ brokers. I used CH Robinson alot and knew who to call for a backhaul when I went to an unproductive freight region. But sometimes that backhaul only pays for fuel, and in those instances I would get an empty move from Panther - why run cheap freight when the outcome is the same? I wonder if the OP started looking for a backhaul the minute they were dispatched to Miami?

 

I also disagree w/ the "Lets accumulate money on our fuel card" thought process. That money is yours. Get it out of that account asap because Panther controls that card! If ya piss 'em off, guess what happens? And don't buy into the "Its an awesome board - it generates 15 loads a day" scheme. What they'll fail to tell you is that 12 of them loads are less than 200 miles. I called it the "TRIPLE A VORTEX" because it sucks you in and its difficult to break the pattern. Most loads having to do with Automotive, Appliances, or Airports generated poor miles out of areas like Chicago, Columbus, Romulus, and Atlanta. I have 4 yrs of data to back this statement up.

 

Yes they take 15% but it pays for a lot more as you know. 40% of your loads, I wouldn't mind doing more than that, as long as they let me do that, I would do as much as I could.

Of course the back haul would pay for only fuel, it is better than sitting and waiting and losing money. But hand holding by the company causes part of the problem, what I mean is waiting for a paid move to somewhere else seems to be a losing battle when it comes to the bottom line especially sitting for three or four days.

Cheap freight is only cheap when you take it all the time and can't afford it. If your operation can afford $1/mile loads, then it is cheap to a lot of others but how much do paid moves get? $1.50 a mile? $1.20 a mile?

I don't know what power Panther has on the card, I work with companies that don't touch the card money once it is on there unless there is a big mistake. I used that system for a long time, it works well. The problem is money management of teams and a lack of other resources for money but paying with your fuel card at say T/A where you get cost plus discount is a bit better than using a credit card and paying $50 more. Thinking about it, if Panther has that much power to take money off the card that isn't used, then I seriously think that it would be a mistake working with them as an O/O.

I do agree with you on the load board, it is like any other thing to make money, you have to have multiple sources of loads.

 

Your right about those not able to set money aside. I always pulled my money off the card and kept it in a safe in my truck. When it got to 3k I would deposit it. I work my taxes the same if Im W2. Why let the government sit on your over paid taxes for a year? Claim 2 and come out even. If ya lack the discipline to not squander that $, you'll never make it as an O/O...

 

You said it. It is amazing how many drivers would make good owners but ... they lack all discipline to keep a buck in their pocket.

 

Denver has been a horrible place for freight since the beginning of time. Heavy loads and cheap rates. Sounds like you're dispatcher saw you coming with the stipulations on no deadbeats and such. Personally I wouldn't be treated that way but your mileage may vary

 

Denver can sometimes be hard to get out of.