Containers for Dummies

in the north jersey area rates are dirt cheap and chassis are a rolling accident waiting to happen and tires hehehe stare for too long and the will fall apart, the moment you get into Pennsylvania dot will be looking for you!!!(first and only shut down in my career) rates are pretty much the lowest but people do it just because they can be home everynight and can barely speak English mostly immigrants and they yearly inspection are done by on the fly like 5 minutes fast. theres nothing duck tape and wires cant fix for those guys.

 

Around here many guys only run about 10 miles from the Port. They stay in the metro area so very little interaction with DOT. The trucks are disposable so to speak. They run them into the ground and put as little money as absolutely possible into them and put it in their pockets instead. The overhead is practically non-existent. Sure makes running on low rates incredibly easy to make a good chunk of change. Easy to do $500 a day after fuel if you're willing to operate in such a manner and deal with all the issues from the pier. It really is a roach motel. Full of the bottom of the barrel people from all walks of life.

 

I've been at it for a couple of days...my company made the switch from running OTR dry van to hauling containers. I work for a small company as a company driver. Been there almost 5 years. I have to admit, unless company guys like daily home time, there is a ceiling just running around in Memphis. The boss man is getting good rates on each load, but the driver gets 10 percent. Yesterday I didn't make a dime. The first load I picked up I couldn't take because we didn't have the authority to haul an Evergreen can. The second I was dispatched on required me to pick up a container, load it, and take to Norfolk southern. The entire day was spent getting that one can repaired. Even if I were to get 3 off in a day, which seems to be a tall order, if I worked five days the most I can see is $750 after chikd support is taken out ($250 per week). My company is paying the drivers cheap and I'm already looking to get out. I don't really have the type of time to be patient and let it get better, not with all of my obligations. Earlier this I went through upstate NY in a snowstorm. I'd rather do that then haul containers. It's too chaotic for me, and those rail yards will tear your truck up if you're not careful

 

Sounds like your employer is on it's way out too. Stepping down to intermodal isn't a good sign IMO.

 

I'm getting that feeling. I'm already working to get out ASAP. I need to be in the road. I'm way better suited for the road.

 

The roach motel comparison couldn't have been more accurate lmao

 

It truly is. A couple days ago two skateboards took a wrong turn and were stuck at the exit of the Port. They looked terrified and they were surrounded in every direction. I felt for them. At first glance I found it very humorous but after wiping the smile from my face I called out on the radio, "looks like a couple skateboards are trapped inside the Roach Motel. Once you check in, you don't check out!" lol he was extremely apologetic about stepping onto our "turf". We both had a good laugh.