Quote:
Originally Posted by jedfxg
just looking for some reliable info on the company. good bad etc. what kinda miles, are they consistent, and are recruiter full of it or stick to their word.
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To answer your question, if you're still interested:
The company is solid been in business 75 years, not stillin business by taking advantage of people.
They now own a company called Dartco, formerly known as All Points. They merged All Points and Major (recently perchased) and made Dartco. Consists of 350 company trucks. All trucks leased to the dart pool of freight.
You can make a living at dart if you don't sit still. If your knew to O/O and think you're going to pay for a truck and sit at the house, you'll fail. If your willing to work, you can make it.
I did the lease perchase through Highways sales. If I was to do it over again, I'd chose not to do that. But thats not because I think I'm getting screwed. You lease the truck through Highway sales, and end up taking care of almost all the dealer end stuff (warenty issues) directly through the dealers anyways. Why not just lease there in the first place?
I would never lease one of the used trucks from Highway sales. If you are not making it at dart, one of two things has happened. A: your sitting around too much (your choice not the company's) or B: you got yourself a lemmon and it's in the shop alot.
Getting into this business with nothing down and no money in the bank is the fastest way out of business. I did it, but I wouldn't do it again. I was running on a prayer for little more then a year. I went with a brand new truck so at least my issues were all warrenty, and I know how to hold on to money so in times of down time, I had was able to roll expenses and such.
As far as money made, depends on what your payments are. Know your expenses going in. As GMAN usualy says..save money and pay cash.. I didn't listen, so I make less money then I would make if I had listened.
I have my truck payment $1900/mo + a generator payment $332/mo and all the other operation costs anyone else does, and I make a living.
Wifes a stay at home mom, homeschooling our boys. We support our family off the income I generate from this truck, from this company.
Keep in mind we know how to manage money, and we keep our overhead as low as possable. I plan to to pay the truck off, have a maintenance account big enough to pay for the repairs the truck needs, and drive enough to pay the bills, build a replacement fun, and build a group of investment accounts while spending much more time at home.
I currently know several drivers that have paid off trucks at dart that drive two weeks and are home two weeks. They didn't intend to build "Trucking Companys" but be self employed.
Thats my goal. I didn't want to be a full bore O/O like some of these guys do. I love driving truck, but when it's time to go home, it's time to go home, and working for a company you have to listen to all the "you're not getting enough miles" crap. I don't have to deal with that. Dart to cry, and I make a living.
Everyone wants to know numbers. well, my Uncle and I both came to dart at the same time. last year he did 160k Gross I did 125K gross. He ran like 130k miles, I ran 98k miles. I have kids and a wife I want to be home, he has a wife that goes with him so he likes to be out. On top of these numbers there is stop pay, detention pay and layover pay you pick up.
Bottom line, Darts got options, and they can be succesfful for you, but only if you learn how to work the system, play the game, and take ownership of your business and make smart decisions.
Oh did I mention I don't run at night, and I take a day off every week even when I'm on the road? I don't work hard, and I make a living.
My rate/mile over the year is low because I came in under 10k miles a month and everything is based on that. Basicaly I sit home WAY TOO MUCH while having a 2k a month truck payment.. Get up over 10k a month and your making pretty darn good money... even at 91cpm.
It all really comes down to what you end up with for equipment... Got a solid truck, your golden. if you don't, it's going to hurt.
And make sure you communicate well/clearly with your fleet manager.. get a crappy one or a personality conflict, change.. Mine rocks.
HOpe this helps... I'm sure I'll catch some flack with the numbers I tossed.. always someone doing better Finacially.. But then I never have measured success strictly in cash or cash flow.
Can you believe they pay us to drive around the country!?!? :P