How to get freight with a twist

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by LAJIT, Feb 2, 2013.

  1. Feb 2, 2013 #1
    LAJIT

    LAJIT Bobtail Member

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    I have a situation I do not no if will get the answer I am looking for. My Father is about to retire from Boeing in the next couple of months and we would like to start a trucking company to try to subsitute his income. My father was thinking that he could do the adminstation part while I drive the truck. Hear is the problem the admistration/office duty he wants to do would be dealing with brokers/shipper etc. and my father is DEAF not allowing him to use the phone. Is thier loadboards or some other way to get loads useing email/text or somthing on those line that any one knows about. I would really like to make this work for him if possible. I have talked to others where they think the answer is simple just hire a office girl to deal with the phones the problem is that we would be a very small company and we would not be able to afford this route.

    I would like to edit post a little. We would not like to hire anyone at this time not that we can not. I would like to keep it simple as I can for now. My father is able to hear for the most part face to face but not on phone. At this time I already have the means to purchase my truck and trailer outright and and have savings to support the business for at least six months. I would like to find away to include my father in this venture, we will have his pension, 401k, but this may be able to substitute his retirement.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2013
    LAJIT, Feb 2, 2013
    LAJIT, Feb 2, 2013
    #1
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  3. Feb 2, 2013 #2
    jdrentzjr

    jdrentzjr Road Train Member

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    There is an old saying, "How do you make a million dollars in the trucking industry? Start with two million."

    Like it or not it takes a lot of money to start a trucking company. Couple that with all the new regulations & liabilities in the event of an accident, makes the chances for someone, with no experience in this industry, slim to none for success. Whether deaf or not.

    I would suggest your dad consider spending his money on a less expensive hobby that he likes which may have a chance at producing extra income.

    Having said all this, I wish you success in what ever you decide.
     
    jdrentzjr, Feb 2, 2013
    jdrentzjr, Feb 2, 2013
    #2
  4. Feb 2, 2013 #3
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Agreed. An owner operator with one truck will likely not match the income of a Boeing employee on the verge of retirement, much less be able to support himself plus office staff on a full-time basis.
     
    windsmith, Feb 2, 2013
    windsmith, Feb 2, 2013
    #3
  5. Feb 2, 2013 #4
    rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    I agree with the guys but even worse is the deaf part. You LIVE on the phone in this business. There are so many thing that go haywire they can ONLY be fixed over the phone.
     
    rank, Feb 2, 2013
    rank, Feb 2, 2013
    #4
  7. Feb 2, 2013 #5
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    windsmith, Feb 2, 2013
    windsmith, Feb 2, 2013
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    jdrentzjr, BigBadBill, aiwiron and 1 other person Thank this.
  8. Feb 3, 2013 #6
    BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    I spent years teaching adaptive snow skiing and what I learned from those taking lessons and from the people that started the adaptive program is that you can always find a way. Call your business "Deaf Dad Trucking" and go look for businesses that will work with you via computer - email, text, IM, ect. Seems that you may even be able to find a way to promote businesses that work with you as "Supporting the Disabled".

    Will it be easy to find last minute loads on the load board and call on it? No but I am almost 100% positive that you will be able to find companies that will work with you so that you can set loads ahead of time and still get a decent rate.
     
    BigBadBill, Feb 3, 2013
    BigBadBill, Feb 3, 2013
    #6
    j3411 Thanks this.
  9. Feb 13, 2013 #7
    Marduk

    Marduk Bobtail Member

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    Sep 5, 2012
    Dallas, TX
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    How many trucks are you planning to run? If it's a small fleet that can be managed with fewer phone calls and more email communication, I could see it work.
     
    Marduk, Feb 13, 2013
    Marduk, Feb 13, 2013
    #7
  10. Feb 13, 2013 #8
    VisionLogistics

    VisionLogistics Road Train Member

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    Some load boards allow you to email your bid to the broker / agent. For instance, CH Robinson's load board has email links on each load posting. 99% of our CHR loads are bid on and secured via email. I think we've only called the agent once or twice.

    If the need arises where a phone call is absolutely necessary, Dad could always hand it off to you.

    Good luck.
     
    VisionLogistics, Feb 13, 2013
    VisionLogistics, Feb 13, 2013
    #8
  11. Feb 25, 2013 #9
    Hillrw3

    Hillrw3 Bobtail Member

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    Agreed. It's a good day where I go 10 minutes without being on the phone. I guess you could try email and text, but it would be difficult to manage.
     
    Hillrw3, Feb 25, 2013
    Hillrw3, Feb 25, 2013
    #9
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