How do you become a Pilot/Escort vehicle for oversized loads?

Had a guy telling a tale about the time he bootlegged a crane that was 24ft wide 70 miles one night.

"Lemme guess...you found the walking stick that Moses used to part the Red Sea, and you made this stick into the shifter in your truck."

 

"I got off the plane from 'nam with ears draped around my neck"

"I decked a cop so they sent me to the army. Green beret, recon. Did solo missions in cuba."

"I was gonna go in the marines but...."

 

So I won't mention the fact that I'm thinking of trying the pilot car thing when I'm finally tired of delivering gasoline after 30 year's. I have to admit, that getting into the pilot car business seems a good fit for a guy like me who likes the road.

I guess after reading all 9 pages of this forum, I'm still concerned about what operators do to get a good night sleep at the end of the day when the sun goes down and forces everyone to a wide spot on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere?

Secondly, as you seem to be partial to pickup trucks for pilot vehicles, I was wondering why? I guess I figured a van would be more suitable, though a pickup truck seems like a good fit, except there is no where to stretch out and wait for sun up.

 

I'm just starting out, still in the business planning phases of jumping over to pilot car work from an unrelated career. I've gotten my Washington state cert and talked with of folks here and elsewhere in the business. Take my advice and thoughts with a grain of salt, but here they are:

In some cases, a load will pay an overnight/motel/retention fee if it is multi-day. Will be $65+ depending on where in the country you are. Many pilots budget use it towards an actual motel/hotel (after the fact- most loads pay 7 days or more out from completion, so you have to have a decent amount of upfront cash for gas and living).

Some drivers will put their pilots up in a whatever hotel they are staying (from what I've read, this is experienced drivers that knew to budget for it as part of the pilot cost when they bid the load, and/or drivers with solid and established relationships with a pilot).

Some pilots don't do a whole lot of long distance work and stay close to home, so they just crash in their backseat when they do an overnight. They probably don't make as much as those who hustle, unless wind is big near their home base or they have a relationship with some kind of dedicated-like route.

I plan to take my F150 and toss a cap on the back and run to and from everywhere that pays. If you go to YouTube and search for "truck camping" and "truck boondocking" and similar searches, you'll find a ton of ideas on how to setup a truck for living on the road. I'm starting simple, but long-term (after I know better what I want/need) I'll add deep cycle batteries so I can use more than a couple 12v accessories.

Vans are also becoming popular, but there is a lot of talk on one of the Facebook groups about which states require back or side windows. I haven't really followed it because my desired cap style is for windows to give me as much visibility as possible while working. Vans do a much higher end finish available (you'll see some amazing stuff on YouTube).

Add a cheap gym membership to grab showers and keep fit when time allows, pop over to a Wal-Mart for groceries and overnighting in their lot (many allow RVs and similar, even if they prohibit truckers) you can live on the road for a few hundred a month if you aren't moving much.

 

Thank you gorckat for that helpful response. I'm looking a year or two ahead. I see many modular homes and equipment moves here in Vermont/NY/NH. Only recently (past several months) have I started thinking very seriously about escorting. I'm a gasoline tanker driver going on 68 yrs old. I like the road and escorting has my interest for the future. I've seen mostly cars and some vans and pickup trucks doing the escorting and so many of them are "shabby" looking. I've wondered why such junky equipment? Every now and then, I'll see something that looks like they are serious and professional. I have a lot more questions and lots of time to sort it all out and your thoughtful reply was very helpful! Thanks!

 

Sure thing!

Some people do it as cheap as possible. They undercut other pilots for cheap, run their vehicle into the dirt without maintenance and (if you read the stories on here) can't tell their head from their ###.

There are about a half dozen threads here with a lot of pilot discussion. One started by a guy asking why load drivers don't listen to him, one by "JeepGirl" or some name like that...find them and absorb all the criticisms the drivers here have. Find the posts where they praise pilots and know why.

You have a huge leg up on a guy like me that never drove and wants to do this pilot work as is, and if you can gain the knowledge that is already here for the taking, then you get an even bigger head start.

 

I saw a couple of those posts and thought the responses were kinda cruel. I was hesitant to ask a question in fear of that kind of response and needless to say pleasantly surprised by your comments.

On the other hand I have noticed some encouraging responses which point to something which seems to ring true in just about any kind of job, like show up on time, have a good attitude and so on.

I wonder about some comments though, like "loading the trailer for the driver?" That seemed way out of line... unless it pays the pilot car driver (PCD) more. Those kinds of things make me apprehensive. I'm driving many years and would NEVER expect someone to load my truck. That asside maybe I just miss understood as it just seemed bazaar.

Then, about how the mileage is figured. I understand POST OFFICE to POST OFFICE but, there seems to me to be a lot of grey area when it comes to shuttling drivers around or errand running during a trip. I guess you just have to work that out ahead of time?? An example of that might be running around to pick up parts for the load carrier in the event of a breakdown. In other word's, is the PCD to be a free taxi or free delivery vehicle?? At what point does helping out stop and getting paid additional begin. I'm not opposed to helping but I don't want to be taken advantage of. I'll go out of my way for free TO-A-POINT.

 

It’s my understanding, after talking with a seasoned, trusted pilot, that the pilot vehicle has to have clear 360 degree vision. That being said, there are some truck bed toppers that have windows all around them & a passenger van does too.

There is one of our pilots that does have a passenger van & he has it decked out real nicely so he doesn’t have to burn his motel money. Our pilots get $100 a night for hotel. The only thing he lacks is a restroom & shower.

The base to his bed is designed with pull out drawers, 2 out the rear doors, 1 out the side doors for stowing tools & gear. A small cabinet/chest of drawers for his clothes. His generator is mounted on a platform which uses the receiver hitch for mounting purposes. A small refrigerator & TV on a wall mount swivel base, Direct TV, small propane grill & microwave for cooking. A roof mounted enclosed carrier for additional storage.

If I ever decide to go the pilot route in my retirement years, I’m probably going to go with a similar setup.

 

Yes soloflyr, Ive heard the same thing about the 360 view. I'd like to see that van and it's set up. Sounds like the guy is serious about comfort as well as serious about the business. Thanks for your response.

 

You’re welcome. I’ll see if I can get some pics next time he is on one of my runs.