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How is life different as an Expediter?

Discussion in 'Expediter and Hot Shot Trucking Forum' started by WiseOne, Oct 9, 2008.

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Rick_C Light Load Member

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Larry13 said: ↑

Expediter to myself is freedom of the road,frist of all. Sometimes i sit a day but usally run 5 out of 7 days which makes a nice check and thats solo. I get paid by load miles of which average 600 700 miles and are unloaded in 1 day or 2 either way can be done safely and not aggressively if your smart. I love my work and love to drive safe and defenceively. With my current health and physical conditation the Lord willing till i'am in late 70's now 65 yrs old and thankfull, doesen't mean things can't change but might do owner operator. Those down days can help one make future descissions, be posivative. Lets see where it goes............. been doing for 9 months steady maybe 2 wks off throughout that time.
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Larry, you're in the position now where I will be in a few years. I'm curious about a couple of things:
What size vehicle do you drive (cargo van or straight truck)?
How far away from home do you run?
Do you own your vehicle or do you drive for another person (fleet owner)?

Feedback from other Expediters is greatly appreciated as well
Thanks in advance!
Rick

Last edited: May 31, 2013

Rick_C, May 30, 2013

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worldtrvlr Medium Load Member

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takteam said: ↑

We are a 53 foot van and started out expediting, but we wanted to try the more planned trip process with Landstar. We loved the expediting! It was exciting to get load alerts and scramble off into the night...often without showers. You have to be well rested and eat when you are able, so you are ready for the unexpected. We always had to be within 15 minutes for deliveries and communication is so important. We had one error when we had bad batteries in Quebec, and they replaced our batteries with bad inappropriate batteries...at a Volvo Dealer! It is challenging getting loads in directions you may wish to go...like to events or home runs. We were 600 miles away from home when our daughter had her baby and received no help to get home. We had to deadhead! They would not allow us to back haul.[/QUOTE

I noticed you used a past-tense verb (loved) which must mean you do not do it anymore. Expediting is just another term for sit and then run like crazy, then sit.
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worldtrvlr, Jun 5, 2013

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msviolet Bobtail Member

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kingsson said: ↑

I am sure that if I read for a long time all the threads here, I would find answers... but I only on a ten hour break - and it would be nice to sleep sometime!
Kids are gone. Two empty nesters looking for something new and interesting to do. I have a CDL. My wife does not. I have been OTR for about seven years. The two of us are thinking of hitting the road together - with her as a rider, as well as being lovely and beautiful company! We also have a couple dogs (small ones). This would be something we could do together instead of me doing all the driving. We do not own a truck to lease on to a company. Are there companies that lease trucks/vans to drivers - like lease ops in OTR? I see talk about a LOT of sitting around, and 1,000 mile weeks. So does it pay? We would enjoy being able to go to church, etc. where we can't take the big rig. Just interested in checking this out. Both of us have good driving records.
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I LOVE the expedite bizz,I think your wife would like it too.I dont know of any comps that do a lease purchase but most of them deal with a truck selling comp that will give you some kind of deal.Usually you work for a fleet owner that has trucks to put teams in and you work your deal out your deal with the owner of the fleet.I f I could find a good co driver I would still be out there!!!

msviolet, Aug 30, 2013

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Vamvakas Light Load Member

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Do you have to own your own truck to do this? I would like to start driving a straight truck otr with sleeper but as a company driver with out experience then do the big semi after 1 year.

Vamvakas, Oct 3, 2013

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TennTrucker Light Load Member

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Vamvakas said: ↑

Do you have to own your own truck to do this? I would like to start driving a straight truck otr with sleeper but as a company driver with out experience then do the big semi after 1 year.
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No you don't have to own to start, I think its best to start out driving for a fleet owner for at least 6 months before buying to learn and see if its for you.

TennTrucker, Oct 4, 2013

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paradox13 Bobtail Member

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I'm interested in doing this. I tried out driving a combination vehicle for a week and didn't like it much. I just didn't like manuevering and backing such long 53 foot trailers. I would like to drive a straight OTR if possible.

paradox13, Jan 21, 2014

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Bluedew and Vamvakas Thank this.
Vamvakas Light Load Member

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paradox13 said: ↑

I'm interested in doing this. I tried out driving a combination vehicle for a week and didn't like it much. I just didn't like manuevering and backing such long 53 foot trailers. I would like to drive a straight OTR if possible.
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I hear that.. Also, it doesn't help how schools have such tight courses with no room for error or fix, 1 mistake and it's impossible to fix your error with the limited amount of space. I would know cause I failed it 2 times already and waiting for a call from the school but I haven't heard anything and it's been a month since I been in a truck!

Vamvakas, Jan 21, 2014

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Ridgeline Road Train Member

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Sometimes you don't get second chances on the road. Do overs when backing in some situations isn't going to happen.

Ridgeline, Jan 23, 2014

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the vagabond and Moving Forward Thank this.
duke8076 Bobtail Member

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Hi Gypse,I've been driving a rig a few years..I was considering expediting work,what would be a good Company to start with?..bob

duke8076, May 9, 2014

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truckertrey Light Load Member

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What do you guys bring home a week. I was talkin to a O/O recruiter and he said they only run 1900-3000 miles a week. And that was teams so how you make any money?

truckertrey, Feb 27, 2015

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