Looking for thoughts on intermodal?

[Super 8]

As I've posted before, I've been considering buying a truck and flatbed, getting my own authority and running around the upper mid-west. I spoke recently with a guy who has a bunch of trucks on the road and used to run flats and he basically told me to steer clear of it. All of his trucks are hauling intermodal containers now for a company out of Rochelle Illinois called Roadlink. He spoke highly of them. So, now I'm thinking about leasing to them holding off on the idea of getting my own authority for now. Saves me the trouble of buying a trailer+tarps+chains+whatnot, and it's leasing is less to bite off than getting authority.

I don't know anything about intermodal so I'm looking for any info/advice to help me make an informed decision. Also, any info or experience anyone has had with Roadlink would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

[shyykatt]

I have a friend who hauls intermodal. I am only speaking from what ONE person has told me, but she has been driving truck since the mid 70's, and has done most everything; she has been doing intermodal for several years now, and is about to be done with it. My understanding is that it can be much harder on your body & the truck b/c the containers can cause a lot more jerking motion on your truck. Replacing trannys is usually problem. The pay can be quite good, but, as my friend has stated to me, "Not worth the wear & tear" (to self and truck lol)

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

I ran intermodal for 5 years. the problem with Roadlink is that you have to load/unload the trailer from your flat. Meaning that when you get to the BNSF yard in Rochelle, you will have to sit and wait in line (sometimes can take 3hrs) then you have to have them set the box on the trailer and then you get to secure it down and throw chains (oh yippie) then you haul it to where ever it's going, then come back and do it all over again to get it off.

I know it doesn't sound like a huge help, but Schneider runs comapny trucks out of Rochelle (and some O/O but last I checked, they weren't taking any on) the boxes are already on the chassis so there is no waiting, DOT tends to leave alone the chassis/box guys more than they do the flat/box guys just due to securement and equipment designs, and I know for a fact the company guys are BRINGING HOME, after taxes about $800 a week and home every day/night..... just some FYI.

Plus, at Roadlink you will be driving with 95% Polish/Russian/Romanian drivers

I was leased to Schneider from 2003-2008 as a O/O on the Rail Division. I left for family reasons and when I tried to re-hire, they were not taking guys on the O/O board, but I can tell you I LOVED IT!!!!!
I worked Mon-Thurs from 8pm-5am and never brought home a check under $1,800 a week........ too bad that gravy-train left the station LOL

[Super 8]

I ran intermodal for 5 years. the problem with Roadlink is that you have to load/unload the trailer from your flat. Meaning that when you get to the BNSF yard in Rochelle, you will have to sit and wait in line (sometimes can take 3hrs) then you have to have them set the box on the trailer and then you get to secure it down and throw chains (oh yippie) then you haul it to where ever it's going, then come back and do it all over again to get it off.

Assume that I know nothing about intermodal (which I don't).
How do you secure a container?
How do you use your chains on a container?
And lastly, what does a typical day running intermodal look like?

Thanks

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Assume that I know nothing about intermodal (which I don't).
How do you secure a container?
How do you use your chains on a container?
And lastly, what does a typical day running intermodal look like?

Thanks

Well securing a container to a "container" chassis take about 3 mins. All you do is walk to the 4 corners and turn the locking pins.....

Chaining one to a flat will require you running a chain thru the pocket corners of the chassis then thru your flats rails and around the frame on each end of the box, then length-wise too.

A regular day of hauling containers? Depends on who you work for, where they go and where they come from (yards)

Daytime work is the worst by far. LONG LINES, and even longer waits to have a chassis swap or repairs.
If you decide to go this route, I highly suggest working nights, but with roadlink you will most likely not have a choice and will be OTR for 5 days

[Super 8]

Chaining one to a flat will require you running a chain thru the pocket corners of the chassis then thru your flats rails and around the frame on each end of the box, then length-wise too.

Are you certain of this? I just saw a Roadlink driver hauling a short container on Friday and it didn't look chained to me. It wasn't on a flatbed.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Are you certain of this? I just saw a Roadlink driver hauling a short container on Friday and it didn't look chained to me. It wasn't on a flatbed.

I'm sorry, i thought you said you were going to run a flat and haul containers....... I was pretty sure Roadlink ran just standard Intermodal Chassis. If thats what it is, then there is money to be made and is much easier. You will still have to wait in line most days to get your box, but a lot easier than running a flat with a container.

[geeshock]

the big thing with most intermodal gigs is the wait, quality of the chasis, and (I know I'm going to get flamed for this) most ports are union. If the chasis I huled were worth something and not garbage I'd probably still consider hauling containers. I HAVE found the rail yards I ocationaly pulled from were beter than the port chasis but that might have to do with the mentality of the crowd going in and out of the ports as well.

[Super 8]

I'm sorry, i thought you said you were going to run a flat and haul containers....... I was pretty sure Roadlink ran just standard Intermodal Chassis. If thats what it is, then there is money to be made and is much easier. You will still have to wait in line most days to get your box, but a lot easier than running a flat with a container.

No, I'm not looking to get a flat right now. I just want to buy a tractor and pull intermodal chassis. That is, after I first make sure I know what I'm doing and getting into. So, the way you're describing this it sounds kind of promising. The waiting is a downer, but we see a lot of that with hauling anything.
You said there is money to be made. Can you elaborate on that? Thanks!

[Super 8]

the big thing with most intermodal gigs is the wait, quality of the chasis, and (I know I'm going to get flamed for this) most ports are union.

I unload everyday at a union factory in my straight truck. For the most part they're pretty cool, although they all left me high-n-dry last week when they took off for a union vote and I was unable to get unloaded.

I'm assuming the chassis probably take a beating. How would this affect the driver though?

Is the driver just shuttleing these chassis between yards? Are we talking 3 hours to load and 3 to unload? I'm still trying to learn how this all works?

Thanks.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

You said there is money to be made. Can you elaborate on that? Thanks!

I have no idea what Roadlink pays, as I stated, I pulled as an O/O with Schneider on their Truck-Rail Division and I did very well. You should start talking to Roadlink drivers to see how they are doing.

[geeshock]

I unload everyday at a union factory in my straight truck. For the most part they're pretty cool, although they all left me high-n-dry last week when they took off for a union vote and I was unable to get unloaded.

I'm assuming the chassis probably take a beating. How would this affect the driver though?

Is the driver just shuttleing these chassis between yards? Are we talking 3 hours to load and 3 to unload? I'm still trying to learn how this all works?

Thanks.

guess if it's just in town thats ok, if you have to cross a scale then it DOES affect driving, also, with the CSA in effect now, potential points. As long as the port takes care of the chasis in the pool all is well, but I haven't had such luck.

[BanditsCousin]

Not that I know much, but based on what I have "heard from drivers, and my pown perception....

Long waits, terrible equipment chassis wise, and sometimes very very verrrryyyy heavy containers over gross. Also, mileage pay comparable to an OTR trucload carrier. The one guy I chatted with for a while was ecstatic the new company he leased onto paid $50 to scale a load. He also said he doesn't get hassled at scales because its railroad freight. MMmmmkk..

The upsides, IMHO, are loaded half the time, and empty the other half mostly, and hometime compared to OTR.

All in all, I'd do it as a company/local driver. With CSA hitting heavy, the wait times could hurt your HOS if you sit all day. I guess it all depends on what it pays, hometime, etc. I have seen some good equipment out there as well as bad. Hopefully more exeperienced drivers will chime in. I'm no expert in this niche.

[BoyNextDoor]

I do Intermodal out of port Newark, NJ. been doing it ever since I got my own truck september of last year. The company I'm least to is avaraging $1.25 empty or loaded including fsc. not good, but not bad either. they do keep me busy though, and on occasion i get a really sweet load that pays about $3 a mile. It is a pain in the ass to deal with the ports, so I avoid it as much as I can. They are union, and they don't care about anything, and most of the folks here could easily fit into the sopranos...

it is challenging at times, sometimes the chassis are really bad, and funy thing is the last couple of weeks/month or so they have been getting better with them. probably b/c next year they'll have to have DOT numbers on the chassis, so if something goes wrong, they get the ticket.

All in all, I'm always smiling abut my check at the end of the week, so no matter how hard the work actually is, it's worth it. Also might wanna consider that you'll need a TWIC card to enter piers.

I'll be happy to answer Q's if you want...

[BanditsCousin]

Right on, BND. Glad you chimed in. Also, pick my post if I'm wrong or vague, because I don't know much about it.

My question for you is, how do they compensate for tolls, assuming they do? My EZ Pass racks up a ton whin I run out there. Mainly NY, NJ, and MD. I can rack up 200 or more in a day doing LTL pickups and deliveries.

[geeshock]

well, it depends on the company I guess. Marine transport it was simple as turning in recipts and they reimbursedc you. If you needed the money up front they even loaded it on your fuel card but there are some companies such as westwind (cowan's intermodal) that figure it into the cost to haul the load already. I personaly prefer to have the tolls seperate, makes it easier to figure out how much the load pays IMHO.

[GMAN]

You may also need to have cards to enter different ports. New York and New Jersey ports require you to have their card in addition to a TWIC. Some other ports also require you to have a different card. It is a scam, but if you plan on doing business with the ports you will need to deal with it. I deal with them occasionally, but would hate to have to deal with them on a daily basis.

[BoyNextDoor]

Funny you mention it...

The NY ports need a separate card called a SeaLink card, and guess what, next year the truck will need a reg card tht we have to get... scams galore

Tolls depends on company. I only get reimbursed for the Gothals bridge, that takes me to the Howland Hook Container terminal on staten island. I pay for all other tools. It's basicly how you manage to negotiate...

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

I'm guessing he will be running out of the Rochelle, IL BNSF yard. It is probably the nicest one I have ever been to. I ran that yard (and all the holes in Chicago) for 5yrs. Pay was great and freight was steady. I was thinking about going back to it till I got this dedicated run......... now I ain't leaving here till they shooo me away LOL

[Super 8]

I'm guessing he will be running out of the Rochelle, IL BNSF yard. It is probably the nicest one I have ever been to. I ran that yard (and all the holes in Chicago) for 5yrs. Pay was great and freight was steady.

THAT'S what I was looking for. Thank you, sir! It is the Rochelle yard as you mentioned. I'm getting pretty close to doing this. Justy picked up a Truck Paper today.