pulling containers in St.Louis as an owner op?

I haul containers in minnesota, we get our slow time of the year. Its bee slow for almost 3 months now, but in the summer you cant keep up with freight.

 

from what I've researched in my neck of the woods (norfolk, va). from about 1500 to 2000 after fuel and then you have to pay all of your other expenses (maintenance, replacement, ss taxes, income taxes, medical, retirement, etc.) I've been looking into it as well. Schneider intermodal offers 98 centers per mile plus fuel surcharge (about 42 cents currently and supposedly adjusted each week) to total 1.40 per mile. Other area companies are in that ballpark. still crunching my numbers to see if i can make it work. hope this helps

 

I'll save your fingertips some time/effort wasted punching numbers - it won't work. If you do take the leap, once you're in and you realize how foolish it is.... .....you will not ever get excited about seeing $1,500 or $2,000 on the outrageously excessive amount of miles you'll end up running and wearing out a good truck in the process to get it. Another thing, that $1,500 to $2,000 is not "driver pay" and none of those guys telling you about the easy money are mentioning that part either are they?...

 

yeah, i figured that 1500 to 2000 week before taxes, medical, retirement, etc wouldn't leave anything left for paycheck. I guess most of those can haulers have a wife with medical or are retired from military so they don't have all of the expenses to contend with. the best thing to do would probably get your own truck and trailer and lease on with someone on percentage (landstar, malone) or take the big step and go out on your own. I would love to be able to reap more of the benefits of my labor.

 

Not trying to come across as a smart alleck.. I'm speaking from experience, similar rate, but not pulling cans... When I think of all the headaches port drivers have dealing with that I cant believe anyone would do it, must be gluttons for punishment. But I know people who do it and have done it for years, and like it, they've figured out a system.. I just dont like working for peanuts or less than peanuts personally...

 

whats wrong with your LTL job? No hours, or you an extraboard guy?

 

rollin is spot on. im in it everyday and its alotta time and energy spent for what u get back out of it.

 

Same old story- you get paid only for a small percentage of your time and labor. Waiting in line with the engine idling to get the box that came in late then rushing it to a customer- and running the gauntlet as a "compliance target" on the highway while trying to make a living. In other words you make big money to get it from point A to point B (minus 10 to 15 percent of pay miles). No detention pay, compensation for passing through the X-Ray shack several times a day on the way into the yard, no pay for standing in line, for waiting to get in and leave..