Got a job offer.....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gatorgrl, Oct 24, 2018.

  1. Gatorgrl

    Gatorgrl Light Load Member

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    Got a job offer and we don't even have our CDL's or truck yet. An acquaintance of ours is a classic car auctioneer and wants to hire us to transport the cars he auctions to their new owners cross country. Now since I am still not even "new" to the industry...still stuck in the "wannabe" section...what are the seasoned drivers thoughts on this?

    It would be an enclosed car hauler or some variety. Sounds like a liability nightmare to me, but what do I know?
     
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  3. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Can he train you? If not, don’t take that job. High end freight is biiiiig bucks. Claims may be lethal.
     
  4. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    Sounds like he is trying to do things on the cheap. He doesn't like paying market rates, so he is trying to DIY it, using/abusing inexperienced works.

    I would think long and hard before accepting.
     
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  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    He offered you and your husband a job because he knows both your mechanical backgrounds and driving backgrounds. You'll be ok as long as you're the driver and not some type of lease driver that gets hit with liability if something happens.
    I'd reconsider it though if there's no benefits. Time flies and you don't need to be caught old and gray with nothing to fall back on.
     
  6. Gatorgrl

    Gatorgrl Light Load Member

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    He said it pays $5000 coast to coast. I have no clue if that's good or not. I also don't know if he is wanting/needing a tractor trailer or just a super duty truck and an enclosed car trailer.
     
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  7. Gatorgrl

    Gatorgrl Light Load Member

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    He also knows my husbands background of working, driving and transporting for a Ferrari shop on Long Island. They seem to know the same car people. I am guessing as an auctioneer, it builds his reputation to have his own transportation team?
     
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  8. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I would be very very very watchful.

    I tell you why. I once was given a oppertunity to run a carhauler between the ports of Baltimore and Miami. The owner of that rig and trailer told me it's unlimited in every way and I am expected in Miami within 12 hours.

    Any damage to the vehicles is my problem. The Pay offered was let's say more than sufficient one round trip would have paid more than what I took home in two weeks.... Not a enclosed vehicle and generally classic cars. Truck was good for 150+ No computer anywhere except satellite. I told him that he must be pretty desperate to put me a total no experienced man in that truck.

    I don't know what in the world happened to him and really don't want to know. I can do Atlanta in 10 without too much trouble but Miami in 12? yeesh. That would mean leaving her buried at a buck 50 for large sections of patrolled 95. Even I am not that crazy.

    That's my story anyway.

    5000 dollars for a coast to coast is what the owner will take home after fuel I don't see where you will be paid 5K The fuel alone would be around 2500 dollars or so one way coast to coast. Probably not that much, but a round trip in fuel will be almost 5K.

    You can always try it. See how you like it. But it's not for me. I have zero attraction to that kind of freighting because of the personal liability for damage to vehicles which will either be classic cars or exotic machines worth millions. That's the second thought, I would not be able to sleep anywhere with those things on my 5th wheel in some of the places we would have to stop at. It will need to be a full team operation so that truck does not stop much for anything.

    I did not take the job. I thought about it carefully.
     
  9. Gatorgrl

    Gatorgrl Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the input. We would be team driving to lessen our need to stop and also running in a plain Jane truck and enclosed trailer, as to not arouse suspicion. And thanks for breaking down the fuel cost...hadn't considered that...yet.
     
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  10. Wargames

    Wargames Captain Crusty

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    you guys are good, great advice, only on TheTruckersReport.
     
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  11. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    The fuel costs is just back of napkin.

    When Spouse and I teamed coast to coast with FFE specifically LA to Avenel NJ and back to LA in 6 days and change, we were filling every 20 to 30 hours at 300+ gallons over 1300 miles give or take some. $3.50 is a conservative estimate.

    9-11 was the worst day of our fuel life. Our company (Not FFE) paid without complaint nearly 7.00 a gallon mid day in fuel for 280+ at Toledo-Stoneyridge new TA in Ohio. Close to two thousand that day. Even today the fitgures are rough. You would think I would remember that stuff perfectly, but age and memory are the two things I hate most in life. I curse one for getting old and I do a slow burn at the other knowing that it's worse with each year. Maybe its best I don't recall anythng at all. lolz.

    That's where my fuel figures came from.

    As far as enclosed, that tells me high value cars. VERY highvalue cars. If you showed up with say a Bugatti's Latest Car worth 5 or 6 million US and have to unload that in a public place that has never seen that model, your situation just got pretty intense.

    The only two things I can think of for enclosed is either racing NASCAR etc or BMW out of Spartansburg where their trailers encloused are really something. They have the long under bar from the aft trailer going under the tractor and it's box to hook on somehow and whereever you go with your tractor and it's first car in the box followed by trailer two wih it's own car things get interesting.

    Like I say, you can give it a go. IF you do, do your best and follow your gut more than anything. If something or someplace does not feel right, do not go there. Do something else entirely different. (Within reason)

    Maybe I am one of those worn out old coots where 5 grand in clean 100 dollar bills in tinted gold will not increase my pulse much. It would be very good money for what is out there in more ordinary trucking. Whatever you two do, do not spend anymore than you have to. Ina year or two or even three, you should then be in a position where you can pick a peice of land, build your home the way you like it free and clear with the intent of security knowing that place is forever in your family for generations to come. Based on that hard work now. You are not going to be doing this kind of trucking (Or any kind) for too many years once the body starts accumulating problems like a older truck would need constant shop attention etc.
     
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