Is it possible to make good money hauling containers (intermodal)?

I couldn't make money hauling containers around Jersey. I make money in tankers.

 

How is that going for you so far? If it is anything like the Chicago market, I am thinking, your home in your own bed everynight, but, not making a ton of $.

 

What is your mechanics company

 

Lam trucking

 

Some of those rates are under $2 mi and on some rather short runs. Will it take you all day to gross $400-$500? The run to Buffalo doesn't sound bad...$2 mi on a pretty long trip.

You need to consider how much time you are going to spend in and out of rail yards as well as live load/unload at customer. Is there any guarantee for detention should you get stuck somewhere?

I know rates on the east coast vary. I try to not go east...while the rates may be good going in, coming out usually sucks, as does the traffic, and the cost of tolls have gotten ridiculous. The IN toll road has gotten expensive...and, it isn't like it is a nice, smooth wide open road. It is filled with holes, ruts and terrible construction lane changes. I'll head into MI if it isn't snowing. Otherwise, I don't go east unless the money is so freaking ridiculous, it's worth it.

So, besides looking at your rate per mile and ancillary costs like tolls, consider your time too. And, will you be forced to using an ELD? Or, can you run a paper log? Nothing worse than being an hour from home but you can't get there because you ran out of hours.

Good luck to you, and, Happy New Year to all!

 

Thank you for inquiring about the UPS Freight owner-operator program, there are numerous advantages of signing on with our program. At UPS Freight, we provide you a legitimate opportunity to be a successful owner-operator.

Starting pay is 1.15 cents per mile for all miles,empty and loaded. Pay increases to 1.16 cents per mile after one year, 1.165 cents per mile at 18 months and to 1.17 cents per mile at two years of service. We pay practical routing miles by PC Miler instead of the shorter computer miles most carriers pay their owner-operators. We pay for your base plate, all permits and fuel tax and road tax. Additionally, we reimburse you for all tolls and scales. As of this week, the fuel surcharge we pay our owner operators is 30 cents.

Nobody is paying a decent wage anymore. It seems like a 1.25 is extremely good paying at this point. Even as a tanker you probably will make 1.75 but you have the extra scrutiny by dot. I might have to activate my authority again

 

PC Miler? Is typically 10% less then actual miles.

 

and that's why I like getting paid by the load and not by the mile and let me determine if the load is worth my time. a lot of the loads even at percentage are really low for example savannah to Brunswick,ga and back for 362 and its 160 miles round trip that 2.26 a mile all in... really good but you can only do one and may be 2 if all the stars align that's 220 after fuel and maintenance fund... compare to the xpo and rose and some other companies is fair but you still have to deal with the ports, old chassis etc etc etc. the rest of those are below the 2 dollar a mile round trip.....
btw I don't work for that company or have any association with them they are just the only company with posted rates that it doesn't seem otr or bottom feeder money

 

The reimbursement is old hat.

Back when the GWB was 12.50 Ive gone 150 into the hole on that Bridge plus associated tolls along there before the gates were removed prior to Ct. Weekly.

It would be way better not to offer reimbursement, but to cough up a transponder for all of the toll agencies in your turf and charge it once and done. Nothing to make the driver juggle cash. And you get a hard record of date time, paid etc.

 

Wow...they will give a whole $0.02 a mi raise after 2 years??? How outstandingly pathetic!!! That is an entire 0.85% raise per year! Not even 1% per year. Sheesh. The good news is, you'd never see it because you'll be bankrupt long before then!

How the hell can anyone expect to make money at $1.15 a mi plus FSC and the piddly few expenses they pay?

It costs an O/O darn near a $1 a mi to operate a truck, all in, with wear and tear, insurance, replacement costs. Let's assume someone is real good and can figure out how to run a truck for $0.85 per mile. That means, with what is left over, assuming no catastrophe, they are paying themselves $0.65 a mile to drive their own truck for UPS, they receive NO benefits, plus pay an extra 7.75% to Social Security (the employer's half), besides federal and state income taxes. I know UPS only hires union company drivers...is UPS Freight somehow not in the Teamsters?

As I said from the beginning, there is NO money in container work...there is no money in hauling for UPS Freight or most mega carriers...and, if you want to work for one, you'd be better off being a company driver and sticking with it. If you can't get on with a company as a seasoned driver making $0.65 a mile, or darn close to it, you are in the wrong market.

How is it that companies get away with this low pay...that Owner Ops actually accept it? Is it that GLORIOUS to own your own job...I mean truck? Are O/O that desperate???