New... Again to pilot escort... Advice

Don't bring your personal history with another Pilot to a job. I stopped using a guy when he decided to run his mouth about another Pilot that my company has used for years. I don't care about personal feelings somebody might have towards another guy or if they think he screwed you on another job.

That guy also bailed on me in the middle of the run because he had already booked another job the next morning and we ran into a delay causing me to need him for a additional overnight and a couple hours in the morning. I had used this guy for nearly a dozen short runs and had every intention of continuing to use him. Instantly blacklisted and never again.

 

Hi Paul
Don't get a van or SUV, they are not the proper vehicle for a professional pilot. Some people use vans to try to sleep on board rather than using a motel and getting proper rest, and usually charge the trucking company for the overnight which is supposed to pay for the motel, and pocket the money. Vans and SUVs are not easily recognized by the motoring public as escort vehicles, another negative. And not all jurisdictions allow them as pilot cars, as well.
If you are going into the business, do it right. You will need certifications in many jurisdictions to pilot, and the right equipment, figure many thousands of dollars, plus several thousand more for cash flow until your first receivable invoice comes in.. A Class 1 or "A" license is a benefit, as mentioned in another post Good luck!

 

There’s almost nothing in this post that’s true.

 

What's not true? I have over 28 years as a heavy haul driver, company owner, and lease operator and have utilized probably over 200 pilot cars in my career, I think I know the difference between a clown in an old rattletrap farm truck like some are and a top of the line pilot operation.

 

I've always hated having a van in front of me. I am always looking WAY out in front of the load, sometimes reacting to something before the escort even keys up the mic. Some of these larger vans that the escorts like to use just block my view...

Also, being familiar with the way a big truck goes around a corner is a plus. A few of my favorite escorts were former drivers, so I knew I could trust them to tell me the way the load was tracking around a corner.

I like to stay calm before an oversize move, so don't TRY to stress me out...

 

There’s nothing wrong with a van or SUV as an escort vehicle, strobes and banners make it plenty recognizable. As far as sleeping in the van and charging the company that’s their decision as a business owner, did you drop your rates when you paid your truck off? After all that part of your price was to go to the truck payment and now you don’t have it.

 

You know, I have thought about this a bit in passing. To add to what you have suggested, and because all of my vehicles are 1 ton pickups with 105 gallon bulk tanks that we use for fueling equipment:

Carry 105 gallons of on road fuel for those occasions when it is difficult for the tractor to get to fuel without unhooking and bobtailing.

I carry quite an array of tools, air line, fittings, etc. for those situations that can sneak up on a fellow.

Chains and straps for what ifs.

I guess I look at this more from the side of a driver, but one may as well be prepared for as many situations as possible to help out the driver should the need arise. Having experience driving and hauling heavy and wide couldn't hurt either, as @truckdad suggested.

Edit to add: I have flat towed, with my pickup, 105,000lb. gross grain train about five miles to where he could get off the road. I don't recommend it, but for emergencies it is possible. Fortunately he had plenty of air!

 

I like my Pilot Car’s to show up early be well rested I don’t want to hear your life story and I usually like a pickip that’s well lit up and you’re not afraid to shut down skinny bridges! If you’re late and you show up with a yugo with one little light on top you’re done!

 

Lmao