rip-off john christner

these cats that run a footrace out of JCT orientation with other drivers to select a nice looking lease truck after a quick glimpse would probably buy a truck sight unseen from select trucks and post on here about how screwed they are

 

We have a few mentors to assist us in making good trucking decisions. Like in this scenario, what would you do. We have more than one because it helps to cover the gaps in knowledge. One of them works for JCT....

We were discussing taxes and using an accountant... after working for 8 months last years we (each) more than doubled what he made last year. After all his payments and fuel... etc. He ended the year with about 30k. But, he's buying his truck so he feels like it's ok because he loves trucking. We don't think that's even remotely acceptable.

But, if you owned a cute little boutique in a strip mall and made 30k after expenses you could still call that a win if your debt structure allows you to live on that much money.

There's really no difference. It's all personal choice. Would I work for 30k a year in trucking. No.

 

I helped a JCT guy a few years ago who needed a battery jump. He in turn bought me breakfast, which was pretty cool of him. Anyways, he told me he was running 2 log books (don't know if they are still on paper now) and over 5k miles a week to make any money because all of his associated costs vs the revenue per mile were pretty out of whack. Maybe it's a lot better now?

Having run under the authority of and doing a walk away lease for a smaller regional company in Oregon, I never intended on owning the truck, the truck to me was just a tool to generate revenue. They were pretty fair about things and I consistently made a decent living. When I walked away, I got all monies owed to me in escrow accounts etc.

I obtained my own authority in 2015, purchased my own truck and trailer and do my own thing now. Being truly (for me) independent is what I like.

You are not truly independent when leasing another companies truck, running their freight in their trailers. Categorizing it as being just a "glorified employee" is a little harsh, in my opinion. Some guys like it that way. I have friends who lease and consistently clear (before income taxes) $1,800 to $2,200 a week. You'd be hard pressed to do that as a company driver.

Other drivers will say to me, "you must be making big bucks now?" When they say that, I know immediately they don't understand the real reasons behind being an owner operator in the first place.

 

JCT was forced to go to elog years ago.

 

Figured as much. Most leasing companies have made that a requirement now.

A lot of the guys at the company I used to lease under are having a cow because the owner has started transitioning them onto elogs. I reminded them they really aren't independent and if the company stipulates that as a requirement to run under their authority, they only have 2 options. Submit or leave.

 

Not part of the argument here. Just want to clairify on some of the math.

Turnover percentage is usually based on the number of trucks versus the number of hires per year.

Example. Let's say jct has 1000 trucks (I have no idea how many they actually have). For there to be a 400% turnover they would have to hire 4000 people per year. Not necessarily losing 4 for every 1 hired.

 

Yes... You are correct
They are averaging about 500 drivers now
(lowest due to rep) They are averaging 15 to 35 new hires a week times 52 weeks and by extrapolation taking a Gallup of the higher and higher letters on the L0000 series seen out on the road.... The math works out to roughly 369%
I guess we could argue differences in percentages but facts are facts. My inside mole there states they are recovering more and more trucks per week that it's overwhelming. Some 2017 FLD'S s are already at D and E.
but.... Oh well
The way automation and platooning are exploding. Soon there won't be a need for fleecing. But these lease purchase companies who also handle freight will try to squeeze blood out of a turnip and then when theres nothing left......
Robots

Lol

 

We don't have FLDs. Not a single one.

 

Wow those numbers are rediculous.

 

Turn over is extremely high within any trucking company. You have to look at the reasons WHY drivers are leaving. Everyone is so quick to blame their last company for their departure.

No one will ever hear me say that I think JCT has the best opportunities as far as leasing is concerned. They do, however, offer a great program that is geared to ensuring that a business owner succeeds.

Notice those key words? Business owner. Too many drivers delve into starting their own business without taking the necessary steps to ensure that they succeed. This IS NOT a company driver opportunity.

I have spoken to dozens, if not hundreds of current and former drivers at/from JCT. Some are honest enough to realize that they messed up, but by far, the vast majority blame the company rather than accept that the failure lies with their decisions.

Proper planning, smart purchasing, diligent awareness, and COMMON SENSE all go a long way to ensuring a driver's success with JCT's program.

The biggest contributing factor to the failure of contractors, in my opinion, is their lack of managing their business.

You CANNOT simply pick up a load, haul ### to your delivery point, rinse, repeat acid expect to be successful. If you're not taking a full 20-30 minutes to review a load offer before deciding to take it or not, you're already starting off badly.

You need to:
- know your destinations
- plan at least 2 routes (minimum) to reach those destinations.
- calculate hours needed with a realistic average driving speed.
- compare fuel costs along the different routes
- be aware of weather conditions along the different routes. Maybe it's more profitable to run nights when winds are less volatile?
- consider the terrain along the different routes.
- drive your vehicle for maximizing profitability. Hammering down is not the way.
- plan your fuel purchases yourself (don't allow the fuel suggestion to make your business decisions)
- stay in communication with dispatch, whether running ahead or behind. If drop or swap is not possible, is a 34 do you can keep moving after this load? If running a few hours behind, DO NOT drive faster to make up that time. You'll just throw profit in the garbage. If you can't make it, you can't make it. If it's due to your hours or scheduling, you're not doing anyone favors by increasing your expenses in fuel.
- understand that more miles doesn't always mean more net profit. (I'll argue this point into the ground with anyone that doesn't understand this)
- understand that this is YOUR BUSINESS and you're not a company driver. You work for yourself and you simply contract your services and truck to JCT.

Have all the drivers that have left voluntarily/involuntarily religiously done these steps at minimum? I'm sure some have, but the majority probably didn't even have a clue. Is that JCT's fault or a reflection of their program? Of course not.

Get real folks. The burden of success is on YOU, not the company. As mentioned above, they have a pretty good program for drivers. There are only 2 things JCT requires drivers to flip the bill for, besides the reasonable fixed expenses. 1. Fuel - which is always 100% in your control
2. Maintenance - which if you don't do at the required intervals may cost you even more money in the long run
Everything else, JCT pays for.....EVERYTHING ELSE.

I've mentored many drivers over the years and in some instances, their personal finances automatically set them up for failure, not JCT. They have 3 or 3 car payments, excessive child support, a dozen credit card bills, and/or a significant other that sits at home and doesn't work. Is that JCT or ANY company's responsibility or obligation to fix your personal debt crisis? Personal responsibility goes a long way in determining if your business will be a success or not.

Is JCT the best? Do they pay the most? Does JCT have the best program? Hell no! But they do offer an extremely fair program.

On a personal note: I drive slow, slower than most. I drive at the opportune performance level for my fuel economy. That speed is 62-64 mph. I drive a 2017 Cascsdia auto. Driving any faster in the same model truck is simply wasting fuel. I get passed all day long by other JCT drivers, sometimes several times a day. That's their choice, but they are also throwing away potential profits. I rarely turn in more than 2500 - 2800 miles per week and take an exorbitant amount of time off and I can say that I'm profitable. Could I make more elsewhere? Probably. If I go thru a financial hardship, then it's on me, not JCT. I CANNOT possibly be ignorant or naive enough to blame anyone other than myself.