Dart Transit, Eagan, Mn- not too shabby!

Well, I've survived ok.

Came here in 1994, burned out and frustrated by an abusive, incompetent Mega-Carrier.

It took several months to put together a plan. Talked to all the O/O's I could find to get their opinions. It looked like the success rate for a new O/O in trucking was about three percent. In other words, I suspect a maximum of 3% of the O/O's that buy their first truck were still O/O's two years later- so I designed my best plan that made sure the first and only effort would be successful. Then I made a plan B to make sure I would still succeed if plan A went wrong. Then I figured out how to make it work if both plans fell through. (Hint- it involved pantyhose and a gun.)

So I called them, made arrangements to go to orientation, and started looking for a lease- purchase truck. One of the best selling points Dart had was a lease that you could walk away from. Even though failure was not an option, I wanted to be able to walk away in case I just got in over my head and was about to get into serious trouble. Then I made a list on an 8" X 14" legal pad of all my strengths and weaknesses and designed a business plan that fit them. Because I had some experience as a light repair mechanic, I asked for a wrecked truck that no one wanted any more. And I had the ability to stay awake and drive around the clock for days and days on end without sleep.

Boy did they exceed my expectations on a wrecked truck that no one wanted..

This old International cabover had been wrecked and sat for about a year waiting for the lawsuits to clear up. Meanwhile, drivers were stealing parts off of it in the yard. It had been a fleet tractor for "MNX", and those trucks were known for having problems due to poor maintenance.

It had a brand new Annual inspection sticker on it and all the brakes were out of adjustment. Waaaayy out of adjustment. (In those days, the company shop was not owned by Dart, they were business associates). Someone had ripped out all the weatherstripping from the driver's door and window. The A/C would not work. The shop put capped trailer tires on the drives. And it was mid February in St Paul, Minnesota in vicious winter temps.

So I adjusted the brakes, bought a set of heavy insulated coveralls and started delivering loads. Had to wear those coveralls to bed and to drive, the heater hardly worked and the wind came right through the driver's door with no weatherstrip around it. I had to wipe the frost from the windshield to see through it.

Two days later I picked up a nail in a steer tire. Because the maintenance account wasn't built up yet, there was no money for a new steer tire. So I gave $40.00 to a tire guy to patch it and forget he had seen me. No receipt and a "Thank You" and another on time delivery. And another. And another.

Eight solid weeks of nonstop, hard driving. Remember, in 1994 everyone used paper logs and you could still run lots of miles. But, man I made some good money! Fixed the tire, found some weatherstrip for the door, fixed the A/C when it warmed up, and kept driving.

No, it wasn't easy to keep that truck rolling. I spent a lot of time under it plugging up leaks, adjusting the worn out clutch and slacks, I changed the oil myself at home to save a few bucks, did my own overheads, anything to save money on maintenance and repairs. The next thing I knew it was paid off and I was still leased to Dart.

That's the time I took one day off to celebrate.

Ten months later, I traded that wagon in on a brand new Western Star. That truck was FAST, so I drove it hard and built a good reputation working here. That truck was overpowered and never slowed down. It kept me on time and looking good.

Five years later, I had worn it down driving hard and fuel prices had started to rise. At 5.2 MPG's it was time to change iron horses. So I bought an older FLD (another beat up lease purchase), paid cash for it when the buyout option came up, and drove it until it literally fell apart and couldn't be fixed any more.

The next truck was the one I'm in now, a 2005 Columbia with a Mercedes engine. It's been four years since I started this lease and now I have the option to buy it.

Now- let me mention that Dart didn't build this truck, it's pretty much the same Columbia model that most of the big companies leased or bought at the time. Four hundred HP engine, automated trans with no clutch pedal and 3.91 rears. A good regional and city delivery truck.

As it turned out, this was not Freightliner's best model.

Like I said before, Dart didn't build this truck, and it has had more problems than I ever anticipated.

Three engine rebuilds that started with leaking head gaskets, it's on its' third turbo, second turbo brake, it just had its' second clutch installed (in four years). To top that off, I hit a deer in Pennsylvania last October. (The deer in Pa are SO RUDE, you know.. they walk around like they own the highway)..

Well, here's where I get to compliment Dart. As soon as this fleet of trucks started having problems, Dart anticipated the need for extended warranties. So the first half of a million miles of repairs were covered. Frankly, I spent the .08 CPM maintenance account on the deductibles for those repairs and they worked with me any time the maint account didn't have the funds in it.

Today, the engine runs strong and doesn't use oil (Thanks to the Detroit shop in Bloomington, Minnesota for doing the last rebuild). The hood, radiator and A/C condenser are new thanks to the RUDE DEER in Pa. Oh- and, Dart paid for ALL the damage with no deductible. About fourteen thousand dollars worth of wildlife vandalism. (I still had to come up with the funds for the hotel room for two weeks, but I handled it ok).

Over four years this wagon spent almost as much time behind wreckers being towed to shops as it did delivering freight. Somehow, we got here, today. The engine, the radiator and A/C (cooling package) is new, so is the turbo and turbo brake. And the clutch. The A/C could use some work, but all in all, it's mostly a new truck. You could say all the bugs have been worked out. And Dart worked with me- even when I almost panicked and wanted to jump ship.

My dispatcher is one of Dart's best, he has driving experience and actually cares about me. We have a great working relationship- he puts loads together and stacks them up for me, I get them delivered on time. Breakdowns have caused a lot of problems in four years, but they've been accommodating and worked around the shop time.

When the EOBR's were installed, Dart went into overcompliance mode. It got ridiculous for a while, but I chalked it up to growing pains. They're still in business and I'm still delivering loads for them.

What got me here today was preparation, determination, discipline and a solid business plan. And I was careful not to waste my maximum effort on an unprofessional trucking company. Dart seems to appreciate my efforts and my dispatcher supports me.

It was recently brought to my attention that I've been bashing the first OTR company that I worked for REALLY HARD. There is a reason for that, they were incompetent and apathetic- and still are. Between Dart and JB Hunt, there is no comparing. I gave both companies my best and Dart has always supported me. JB just threatened and intimidated me in a stupor of apathy, it makes no difference to them how a driver performs. They will always treat you with a lack of respect.

My business plan for Dart (and JB HUNT) included on time deliveries with no excuses and no compromises. And NO late deliveries, PERIOD. I anticipated what they needed and made sure they got my best. I treat customers with respect (even when they are demanding or abusive), I'm available to drive anywhere they want to send me, I fix and maintain my tractor on MY time, not theirs- I don't get tickets (knock on wood), and I NEVER complain to dispatch.

Honestly, Dart has been really good to me. They recognize what I have invested in this relationship and support my efforts. They always understood that this truck has less structural integrity than it should and forgave any delays related to breakdowns.

I've seen a LOT of drivers come and go here. Most didn't have all the tools they needed to survive. They just showed up and expected someone to give them too much money for owning a truck. It doesn't work that way.

So, this is where I get to tell everyone that leasing to Dart isn't a spiritual experience, but it works for me.

If you're about to try running a small business and lease a truck, do it expecting a real battle. Expect the worse. Have a plan that won't let you fail. Use your best strengths and don't look back.

And most of all, pick a winning company to work with. Do your due diligence and investigate everything about them, good and bad.

So, once again, Thank You, Dart. Sincerely.

 

No, that's not me- if my ugly mug was on trailer doors Dart would go out of business.

Really though, I used to think he was a model that they hired for the picture- then I met him at the terminal in Sellersburg, Indiana. He's the real deal. And a nice guy.

 

I see a lot of first time O/O's making repairs here, sometimes they embarrass themselves and it costs big bucks to fix. But, you have to admire ambition.

If you never accept challenges you'll never build character..