Anyone running the van load board?

It's all over the place. The board is terrible. I have been able to average $1.30 to $2.00 a mile depending on the load I choose, and these rates are after Celadon take their 30% cut. Many loads pay around $1 a mile. But I watch the board very closely. I know what area to be in and when to be there.

Here is a screenshot of my paycheck after truck payment and fuel. It's not bad, but not great either. These results are not typical of what many other driver's are making here, but I'm just showing what's possible if you pick your loads right.

 

For a lease purchase that's actually pretty darn good. Most are lucky to see 1500 after payment and fuel.

 

Oh, and that's including taking 1.5-2.5 days off every week as well at the house. So I could probably add another $500-$1000 extra every week if I stayed out, which I don't.

I have a 4 year old son at home and a pregnant wife with twins on the way. I value my 1.5-2.5 days off every week. I always slip a 34-hour restart in at a minimum, every single week.

 

a couple days off is pretty much mandatory. All of us can tough it up and go a few weeks straight, but running 7 days a week is not viable long term. A young single guy has the advantage of being able to take his time of pretty much anywhere. That lets him follow the markets and stay in them longer. But even he needs time out of the truck to be refresh everyone in a while.

I get a kick out of these guys that think they are going to work 350 days a year to make their lp work for them. Thart is such a ridiculous notion.

 

You would be surprised how many lease purchase guys here at Celadon I come across that are out 2-3 months at a time, taking home anywhere from $500-$1500 a week, doing recaps.

Then again, they just run whatever dispatch throws their way.

 

That's just stupid.