Pilot Car Rates?

I agree with your theory of stopping cheap freight. But man rates sure have hit the crapper within the last two weeks

 

I dont like pilot cars.

Pilot cars are just like truckers. Some are really good at what they do. Some are absolutely terrible. The worst thing about using a really good pilot car is that you get so used to them being your second set of eyes and ears that you almost feel handicapped when the run is over and they leave.

Story time:

Had one of my guys have a front car that kept missing turns. The driver and the rear car couldnt hear him on the radio. They went down a narrow two lane with a big load and the front car didnt call out anything. When they got parked, I talked to this pilot car.

"Do you have a CB?"
He had a handheld.
"Thats not going to work. You need a real radio. Go to WalMart or any truckstop and pick one up."
"Do you have a commercial vehicle road atlas?"
He pointed at his GPS
"Get a road atlas. Do you have a pilot car directory?"
No, they didnt tell him at whatever pilot car school he went to that he needed this stuff.
"Okay, then I will tell you. If you dont have the tools to do the job, dont bother coming back on Monday."

(Monday)
"Did you read the permit and do you understand the routing?"
Yes
"Theres a curfew in Oklahoma county until 0900. Where is Oklahoma County from here?"
He didnt know.
"You didnt do your homework. Go sit in your truck and look on the map or anything else you have and figure out how many miles we are from the Oklahoma County line."
(30 minutes later) 3 miles.
"Do you know the route like the back of your hand? I40w,I240w,I44e,I40w"
Yes.

He missed the first turn. My driver sat on the side of the road on 240w for 15 minutes waiting for his front car to return back to him. How on earth do you miss the 240 Loop off I40w? If my driver had been a rookie, he would have followed this guy right through the middle of Okie City and got jammed up in all that construction at the 35/40 junction.

So guys, if you get a piloted load, dont take it for granted that your pilot car knows what he/she is doing. You'd better do your own homework. Mess up on a big load and your career is over. And you pilot cars, always give 100%. Because my career and truck and everything is on the line, I have to be able to trust my car(s). For that reason, on the really big loads, I normally use cars that I know only.

 

I do not miss needing pilot cars all the time now.
When I ran my 13axle I was allways using pilot cars. But I had one that ran with me quite a bit. Got to trust him and we worked well together. Yes he would mess up from time to time, just like me..
Picked one up last Thurs. Gave him a copy of the permit. Told him how we were going. Got it, I ask? Yep. Well the third turn he blew right by it, even when I told him where the turn was.
My rule used to be, you miss the turn. You are buying dinner for all people in the move..
Miss 3 turns and you are looking for new work. Sat a few times waiting for replacement car.
Yes we all make mistakes, but moving the big stuff we all need to be on top of our game.

 

Boy do i hear you load and clear.
It is much better having a previous trucker than someone puts an amber light on the roof and wants money.
I always liked knowing my pilot cars.
With the experience we have and the equipment we run as pilot cars we don't work cheap. handhelds, VHF and CB Ect ect
Pilot Cars are like truck drivers there are good and bad unfortunately the bad ones stand out. If I hired a pilot car and he did not have proper insurance or proper certification he's gone ( fired ) my bonuses and safety record are worth more than someones feelings
I take pride in taking the stress off the driver when I am piloting if not then I did not do the job correctly.
Thank You for your comments it was interesting to hear your point of view,and i respect it

 

That should have said LOUD not load

 

Does anyone know of a escort/pilot car forum board? I'm looking at more info on doing pilot car work. I live in NY and would prefer to stay on east coast, but thats not very important.

thanks

 

try yahoo. pilotcarsunlimted.com
I believe that's the website.
There are others, but they do alot of posting plus bickering like old ladies on a saturday night..

 

Thats no different than any truck forum, or any forum period.

thanks

 

Looks like you might be in luck. I used to be a good truck driver and I am starting a pilot car service and I know what you are talking about. Hope I can help you out some time soon when I am all geared up and ready to go. I am looking to offer some killer rates too.

 

Pilot car rates have hit the toliet as with trk rates.
There are people running rear car for 1.00 a mile. Pole for 1.15.

Too many sitting around now that the wind stuff has died down..