Addicted to Transportation

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by VetsJetsnGuns, Feb 1, 2009.

  1. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Owensboro , KY
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    When you get ready to become an O/O and see the country with your wife consider expediting . The trucks have bigger , more luxurious sleepers and you have more control over what loads you choose . As a rule expediters have 75% availability , usually 3 weeks on then a week off . Rather than go home many of them get a load to a part of the country they'd like to see then take the time to enjoy it . You can't do that with any OTR carrier .
     
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  3. VetsJetsnGuns

    VetsJetsnGuns Bobtail Member

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    Feb 1, 2009
    Jackson, Wi
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    What is expediting? Are those huge sleeper trucks that much harder to handle? Does turning radius suffer?

    I ran into a trucker when I was out looking for a flying job (5,000 miles in 10 days- the closest I ever got to going on spring break*) and he gave me similiar advice. I've had it in the back of my head for a decade-and-a-half. He said he never picked up a load without talking to a travel agent first.

    I also think owner-operator is the way to go. This country is designed to help the self-employed a lot more than just the employees. One thing I've always complained about being in the airlines: you can't strike out on your own and start one in your garage. The margins are razor thin, anyway.


    *that was an interesting trip. I had a CB and used it to poll truckers on who had the best showers. I took a couple of #####'s baths and I also learned to sneak into marina showers- they don't usually charge. I had a briefcase full of resumes, a sectional (flying map) and an atlas. I got free state maps from all the state waysides. I slept in my pickup. I had a cooler with ice, milk, peanut butter and jelly and bread. I started in Grand Forks ND, down to Jacksonville, FL to New Orleans then just east of the TX border and finally back up to Grand Forks.
     
  4. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
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    Expediters range from cargo vans that can run without logbooks unless they carry hazmat to class 8 tractors but yeah , the majority are straight trucks with the big sleepers . There is an oversupply of cargo vans and their rates were cut to about $.80 a mile . Straight trucks are doing fair but getting better because carriers are letting them find loads through brokers . There is always a need for expedite tractors because most O/O's choose expedite to avoid driving a semi . Many expedite trucks are husband/wife teams and the women are more comfortable driving the smaller truck . The smaller truck also allows easier parking away from truckstops .
     
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