Drowning, can you make it on $1.50/ mile?

[Maniac]

I read Maniac's post several times. It was the way he said it that I took exception with.

Hmmm, interesting thread here.

I didn't mean to make you look or sound like an idiot, BUT I really couldn't believe you didn't watch your money, all of your posting and writing DO NOT sound like someone who would do that.

Talked to a few QC drivers this week, didn't hear any good news, they are cutting the FSC to the percentage guys, the rest like yourself are getting a mileage based FSC, and a mileage pay, and a LOW one at that, easy to see where you or anyone would be discouraged.

QC needs to make a 350 million loan payment by the end of the year, they have brought in a professional bean counter/hatchet man who helped straighten out Swift.

He is cutting corners EVERYWHERE, my advice is bail, get out of there, find out what they want to do about the equipment payments and get it done.

MY mistake 5 trucks since 1977 (when I started as an o/o) 3 of them pulled tanks only, NONE of the 3 ever had problems because of the weight or the surge, I rebuilt the 5th wheel on my 1990 KW (the only one of the 3 with a Fontaine 5th wheel) all the others have had Holland 5th wheels.

As far as computerizing the biz, go for it, of course I can't give advice on that because I DO NOT use a computer for it, (they didn't have them in 1977) so I devised my own system with notebooks and regular ink pens.

Also let me add, living in Fl, is NOT a good place for chemicals, there just isn't much going on there as far as chemicals, I'm sure Cyanide will agree.

And one more thing, I don't remember ever seeing a post about you going or considering QC, because I don't remember telling anyone to RUN, which is what I would have said now or 3 years ago.

QC began when they merged Montgomery tank lines and Chemical Leaman, Montgomery was the owner of the name and ICC number "Quality Carriers" they also used the Montgomery terminals mostly, because they were all independently owned by the terminal managers they have today, so they could sell off the property and keep the $$ from the sale of the Chemical Leaman properties and because the Chemical Leaman terminals were all union, couldn't have no pesky union hanging around now could they?

QC is also very very top heavy, with all there subsidiaries.

I NEVER worked for Montgomery, because of that, a 1 truck owner is not going to survive in a system where the terminal manager has trucks of his own, and lots of friends and relative that own trucks to.

Of course you would never know it, most o/o's over there would never tell you how they "know" some things, and how they get the best work.

Got to go and put in a wheel seal, before it rains, if I can help you I will, just ask Mike and Carlo (cyanide), if you need references :wink:

Maniac is home so much his wife even asks him to stay out sometimes just so he gets out of her hair

HMMM, on second thought........... :wink: :wink: :wink: 8)

Well Max my yellow lab is always happy to see me. :wink:

[lowrange]

I feel humbled, Maniac. When I saw you posted, I was willing to say anything to be nice after complaining about your post for three pages.

As it turns out, your above remarks were totally cool and spot on. The percentage guys are losing their regular fsc and they'll receive fsc the way I do, an adjustment based on the national average, loaded AND empty, only theirs is based on 5.8 mpg (unless they've changed, I believe ours is based on 6.0mpg, about 50 cpm right now)

Yeah, I asked a bit about QC. I wasn't encouraged to go with them but some thought their O/Os may have a little more control over the 'if', 'when', and 'where' like they do at Landstar. I went mileage because I really never know where I want to run, and I never once thought they'd let me go before they'd allow me to switch over to percentage. I'm a Florida resident because we have a trailer down there and because Florida has no income taxes but I can run just about anywhere- no wife and kids to get back to.

I plan to spend the next 5 days in KC, hopefully I can get LAST YEAR'S taxes done by somebody, get my own records straighted out, this mechanic doesn't think I need brakes so I'm good there. I may even haul freight for QC out of here and just stay in this system until I really know where I want to go and I know who will take me. I guess I'd just say to QC, 'send me a bill' and take care of it like that. At least I have a plan now and I no longer feel 'I owe my soul to the company store.'

[Rev.Vassago]

Your story is a valuable lesson for other hopeful O/O's who are unwilling or unable to accept that this is a business, and needs to be treated as such. Hopefully, you are able to turn this around and make a success out of it.

[lowrange]

Your story is a valuable lesson for other hopeful O/O's who are unwilling or unable to accept that this is a business, and needs to be treated as such. Hopefully, you are able to turn this around and make a success out of it.

Yeah, I'm just talking, not trying to hide anything or varnish anything.

My life's contribution to humanity: Don't let this happen to you.

[Maniac]

I was willing to say anything to be nice after complaining about your post for three pages.

Well then next time you see THIS have your lunch money ready, I'll be hungry as usual :wink:

Your story is a valuable lesson for other hopeful O/O's who are unwilling or unable to accept that this is a business, and needs to be treated as such.

Without a doubt !!

[lowrange]

You bet, Maniac, without a doubt!

Lime green!?!?! I think I like it!

[mike3fan]

Lime green!?!?! I think I like it!

Looks like a tennis ball in person

Maniac how come you didn't take this load from Rose to La Porte so I wouldn't be the one waiting out this stupid hurricane?

[lowrange]

Whoa, breathing room...!!! :shock: Preliminary numbers for my first 10 weeks of driving- based on scratchings on a note pad and my statements- revenue of $1.60/mi hub from mileage, loading/unloading and layover.

Avg only 1900 hub mi/wk, though, working 4.5 days per week. (probably more like 5.5-6.0 days per week when you figure we still have work to do even when we are taking time off.

The good thing appears to be, I'm running profitably. That should mean I can stay put until such time as something truly better comes along.

I still need to computerize, and Mike's Fogline program seems to be the best value, just $120.

[Rev.Vassago]

My program was free. Free is the best value. :P

[GMAN]

Whoa, breathing room...!!! :shock: Preliminary numbers for my first 10 weeks of driving- based on scratchings on a note pad and my statements- revenue of $1.60/mi hub from mileage, loading/unloading and layover.

Avg only 1900 hub mi/wk, though, working 4.5 days per week. (probably more like 5.5-6.0 days per week when you figure we still have work to do even when we are taking time off.

The good thing appears to be, I'm running profitably. That should mean I can stay put until such time as something truly better comes along.

I still need to computerize, and Mike's Fogline program seems to be the best value, just $120.

It seems as though you are a little above where you thought, lowrange. If you use the Trucknpro program (foglinesoftware), it will give you your actual run rate immediately upon putting in all the information. If you input the information after each load, you can see immediately how well you are doing. It is a good program. Don't forget, if you are a member of OODIA you can get 10% off, if I remember correctly.

[lowrange]

My program was free. Free is the best value. :P

Free is a very good value, and that sounds like an endorsement. I'll try that one, first.

I don't have any experience with open source software, I was just a little leery about experimenting. Does it work? I'm going to try that one first. I'm going to have to learn my way through it, it's been a long time since I've touched a spreadsheet. But, I do like the idea of setting up my own 'program' just the way I will use it.

[lowrange]

It seems as though you are a little above where you thought, lowrange. If you use the Trucknpro program (foglinesoftware), it will give you your actual run rate immediately upon putting in all the information. If you input the information after each load, you can see immediately how well you are doing. It is a good program. Don't forget, if you are a member of OODIA you can get 10% off, if I remember correctly.

Now I am confused. There is definitely something to be said for a program that is already set up. So you're a Trucknpro guy, too, GMAN?

[Maniac]

Maniac how come you didn't take this load from Rose to La Porte so I wouldn't be the one waiting out this stupid hurricane?

If its the one out of Perth Amboy, you will find out when you get paid.

:dung:

I still have a few memories of the LAST time I went to Texas :wink:

[Rev.Vassago]

I don't have any experience with open source software, I was just a little leery about experimenting. Does it work? I'm going to try that one first. I'm going to have to learn my way through it, it's been a long time since I've touched a spreadsheet. But, I do like the idea of setting up my own 'program' just the way I will use it.

If you're not familiar with Excel or spreadsheets, I'd go with a pre-made one. I just like the ability to customize the program to fit my needs, but I know Excel.

[GMAN]

It seems as though you are a little above where you thought, lowrange. If you use the Trucknpro program (foglinesoftware), it will give you your actual run rate immediately upon putting in all the information. If you input the information after each load, you can see immediately how well you are doing. It is a good program. Don't forget, if you are a member of OODIA you can get 10% off, if I remember correctly.

Now I am confused. There is definitely something to be said for a program that is already set up. So you're a Trucknpro guy, too, GMAN?

I like the way Trucknpro is set up. It is very easy to learn and use. It was designed by an owner operator. I think that he is still leased to Landstar. It is a good program for the owner operator. It will track revenue, costs, miles, fuel, maintenance, etc., One nice feature is that it will track your paid and actual miles and give you an instant mileage rate. It is a good program for the money.