3 Months with Tri-State in a Cargo Van

The last good diesel E-350's had the 7.3 diesel . Most carriers wouldn't accept them because of their age .

 

Can you throw me some companies to look at? I'm very interested in this.

 

FedEx Custom Critical , Panther . They only hire O/O's but will refer you to fleet owners that hire drivers .

 

Yes, I called Tri-State yesterday and the rep told me everything about the business. I saw a cargo van on sale for a steal deal, and a couple of small straight trucks, but passed it by "why do I need a cargo van" I asked myself? Just trying to come up with a back up plan for a business just in case OTR doesn't suit me.

 

A very good post. Refreshing to see someone with a realistic outlook on the transportation business. You will go far

 

This was an old thread but nice to get someone's firsthand experience as an expedited van operator/driver. This is one option I'm considering when I retire from my "driving a desk," job. Biggest downside I've discovered from the companies I've talked to (Panther, Tri-State, Landstar) is that they could hire me but Colorado is not really in their hiring/operating lanes and hometime might be 6-8 weeks away (or I possibly DH 1000 miles or more home when I need to). Haven't talked to Fedex CC but suspect a similar response.

Previously (20+ years ago) drove for a local courier company in Denver with mostly in-town deliveries and the occasional hot delivery up to 200 miles away. Enjoyed the work variety. Courier now does PUD for several airfreight forwarding companies and that has some possible opportunity. Fortunately I didn't burn any bridges with them when I left and could possibly get back with them when I retire.

Too bad the OP is long gone; would like to see how the lifestyle has been for him.

 

Well the truth is this;

Van expedite should be done in vans owned only by the driver - having an average rate of a buck a mile, and paying for fuel (60/40 split) seems to be a quick way to lose money while trying to make money.

People do make money, I've know many who are hitting consistent $60k gross even in hard times. BUT those are experienced people who have listened or watch their pennies.

As for hiring, they don't hire, you are strictly a contractor. Where you live doesn't matter, and yes FedEx would be the same.

No matter, take 20% of what the recruiters say as true and then keep the other 80% in mind when someone asks about the work.

 

Point taken. I was using the term "hire" because it was faster to type than "owner operator contracter," but I understand what you're saying. As far as where I live, I didn't want to be in a position to DH 500+ miles to get into an expediter's operating market, run around for weeks or months at a time then finally having to DH 500 or so miles home only because they never have anything going near where I live. I have seen a few FECC Sprinters around home but haven't been in a position to talk with them directly.

That's true with almost every carrier, but thanks for the reminder

 

See the thing is it isn't about the market, there is freight everywhere. I was out west for four months and worked every week (not every day but close enough) but had to head home for personal reasons.

FedEx is one example of a company that doesn't use the freight it has to move people unless you are one of the kiss ##### special people, most of the time you will sit and wait for 'regular' work. Other companies have freight out west, like LS and Panther but it is still the problem with the 'load planners' or the dispatchers wanting to get of their butts and find work.

Much of the expedite work has come to being ltl work, not true expedite stuff. The companies put the restrictions on the time to be competitive within the market even when the customer doesn't care when it hits the dock.

 

@Rick_C ... Have you thought about hauling auto's? Very little DH and more home time if that is what you are looking for.