Some brokers carry insurance that supplements the carrier's insurance. You might check to see if the broker had any additional insurance on the cargo. It is a gray area when the broker puts a load on the truck that they know will exceed the insurance coverage. I had a load from a broker where the value of the cargo exceeded $1 million. The broker had insurance in place that covered anything over and above my insurance policy. Due to the type of cargo, there was little chance of a claim, but it was good to have the coverage, just in case. The broker used their insurance rather than having to pay for my getting a temporary policy that would cover the product.

Hi GMAN, yes I'm going to look into supplementary insurance myself. This broker was Transplace so they are big enough. I just don't like how everyone is acting. The adjusters for my insurance company seem like they are working for Transplace, the insurance company just seem not to care (I don't understand that). So they want to play, I'll play. In the end I might have to pay, but again they are now only claiming for the $100,000 which tells me they did something wrong. The BOLS never had the value of the freight. So I'll deal with the lawyer and learn a little. Nobody is ever in a hurry to pay us, why should I be in a hurry to pay them. Besides they already froze $24,000 which we just wrote off.

Had an accident last night, never trust anything until I see it but it seems like the other party admitted he fell asleep at the wheel. We are firing this guy anyway, he's been here two weeks and done nothing but complain.

We are thinking of opening up another terminal somewhere as we have plenty of freight around the country, well more mid-west and South East. We don't go out West much and avoid the East Coast. The logistics of hiring drivers out of another state and finding a place to park is going to be a process. We'd like to find a big enough Ryder where we can park some trucks.

Also we have the benefit of being able to offer Florida residents a job where they are in and out of Florida all year round. We won't have such an edge out there. It's a process...

Insurance renewal time. I am starting to understand these rates a bit more. First for the trucks and trailers from Ryder I pay them as part of my bill. Then the non owned Ryder trailers is through an outside Ryder program. I won't explain how it's set up but I have had it good. Now I am paying market rates for the non-Ryder equipment and my annual premium just jumped $47,000. I am basically in the worst place to insure vehicles (South Florida, with New York being second I'm told). I called my agent for the Intermodal company and went over a scenario if I pulled all insurance and got my own for all trucks and trailers on the market. He is in Georgia. Basically the rates I pay for the trucks are so low he said he would be doing me a disservice to even quote me. For example for a new truck I am paying (off the top of my head) about $439 a month for liability and Comp and Collision. On the trailers I am paying just $87 per trailer.

I am moving along with the intermodal business. We have customers, insurance all set up and now the chassis is the next thing. I signed up for one of those pools but come to find out they only serve two lines. So it looks like I am just going to buy one to start out. Again we already have work. Besides that I hear the key is to know the Longshoreman so I will work on that so these trucks aren't sitting.

We have outgrown our phone system and now I also have to figure out what to do next. We have 4 lines and I walk into the office it is non stop. I call in sometimes and it's busy. I know nothing of this stuff which just makes it harder. I am also now working on getting health insurance for everyone. I never dreamed things would have gotten to this size, and yet we are still a small company relatively. I am going to hire a couple more for the office and if all keeps going the way it's going should be up to 50 trucks by the end of the year. Unfortunately I need to have my other hip done next month, but at least I know what to expect and even now I can run around quicker then most. I just want to get it fixed now so I don't need a hip replacement later in life.

Hi Merrick4, this is off topic. I read your 2007 posts when you started out and I wonder if you have any advice for me 7 years later. Would you do it again or did it just become a case of "buying a job." Are the conditions for Owner Operator Authority much changed since you began or basically the same. When you started lots of folks gave you the names of good loadboards and companies/brokers; can you post a similar list? Can I start with a reliable old tractor and dry van and keep the truck rolling as I get experience? Can you recommend a good insurance company or two? You see, a lot of the same questions you had, especially "Can I do this without losing my shirt or falling on my face." My kids are grown so I have some freedom to try. What do think? Sorry bout typos, using Android with fat fingers.

You sure have a lot going on, Merrick. I wish you well with the hip. I think the biggest challenge in any business is finding the right people. As you have found out, running a business is a constant learning experience. I just filled out the paperwork to renew my insurance. After the last couple of years, I just hope that my rates don't go up again. I moved my business to a different insurance company with Northland's last rate increase last year. There were no claims and good mvr and safety scores. Just greed. I have begun shopping my insurance with other companies. I find it helps to keep my insurance company more honest by telling them you are shopping rates.

Hi GMAN, yep a lot going on to say the least. The other night I took the phones for the first time and so much has changed I had a hell of a night. A rip off tow company took a drivers truck and then AGAIN, the Hialeah mafia struck and stole another trailer out of the yard full of meat. I can't put this one in insurance as I will never get insurance again so that's a $100,000 hit. But that's it. I'm getting my own yard and until then am going to hire a security company. It's ridiculous, we have cameras etc as it is; gated fence with key pad, but these people are just thieves down here.

I found a good lot, went there with my relator today and will go to the bank tomorrow. I mean at every turn I have to figure things out on my own. The tow truck company started being mouthy on the phone and telling me that no signs need to be posted. I pulled up the municipal code and started reading it to him. He shut up. I just have the weight of the world sometimes on me. I am 42 and most of the office are half my age and yet computers go down I have to fix them. I was close to pulling the plug the other day but it's hard to do. We have a good company. We have good accounts and just picked up another huge account down here in Florida. I have hard working office staff and you are always going to have your bad apple but the drivers are pretty good. I might hire a private investigator; usually these things are inside jobs but so many people park in that yard. Also we have the best equipment.

I can't believe you moved with Northland, I know you were with them for so long. They are putting people out of business left and right (the insurance companies) and the government with regulations that they have no idea what they are doing. I mean common sense dictated that you can't push all the trucks on the road in peak traffic hours with these new restart provisions and now the police are coming out against it. Well what can you do? Thanks for the well wishes on the hip. It should be fine. The technology is getting better and better. Up until recently I was doing yoga, cycling, lifting weights and swimming and that was after the last surgery. I am still wicked fit and look and feel much younger then 42.

Hello. This is a very tough question to answer. I don't know if I would do it again. If I did I would do things a bit differently. I had no idea what I was doing and was just and sometimes still am just winging it. If I did buy myself a job, it's a well paying job. I have been smart with the money. I could be driving a Jaguar but I drive a car worth less then most of the drivers have. And I would say a big YES as to the conditions for the owner operator. I don't see how an owner operator can survive in this environment. But it's a big country and I guess if people find a niche or a good lane. Also it all depends on what you want in life. I never did like trucking. Well let me rephrase that, I truly enjoyed my time seeing the country. It was an awesome experience. I am from little Massachusetts and actually not far from Boston so even Springfield seemed far to me. Imagine me standing in Montana or South Dakota?

As for your question about reliable old tractor, I started with one with a warranty still and a new reefer. I don't know and anything about dry vans though that's my next move I think. Honestly the best advise has come from GMAN in my opinion. Start with capital, reserve money etc. I have no idea how these people get into these lease purchase plans. I started when they were handing out credit cards like water. So even the reefer I put on a 0% credit card. I had at one point about $200,000 in credit card debt at either no interest or exceedingly low. But I got nervous and paid it all back. I could do it again but I wouldn't. As an established business I can just get a line of credit.


I am not mechanically inclined so an old tractor might suit you but it wouldn't suit me. I have a very intense personality and am constantly doing research on everything. This has helped me immensely in this business. Everyone around me says my mind goes 5 times faster then most. And I say that not trying to sound obnoxious. It's just what they say. In fact they have always told me that and I never liked it. I am a very plain spoken person, very non-assuming and a lot of the new drivers think I'm just another driver when I'm in the office.

I'm sorry if I went off topic but it's a hard question. I don't know you, where you are from, what your goals are in life. As for falling on your face, well failure is a good lesson. Everyone falls on their face, you just need to get back up and try again. As for losing your shirt, well watch your numbers and don't chase. By that I mean people go to the casinos, lose money and chase and chase trying to get it back. I live next to a casino and never go. But I buy lotto twice a week and when I always buy among the tickets a $10 scratch off. If I win I collect my money and move on. I don't chase. You have to know when to cut your losses. As for a good insurance agent I really like the one I found in GA


Interline Risk. Agent is Robert. Guy is wicked honest.

Phone: 912-330-5250

Toll Free: 877-578-1516

FAX: 912-335-5741
Email: [email protected]

Merrick, it's always an inside job! I would suggest fifth wheel locks on your loaded trailers! Another feature is a GPS that tracks where the trailer was and everywhere that trailer passed, business camaras will capture the semi and faces of the thief's!

Not down here in South America, I mean South Florida. I asked the cops about the traffic cameras and they claim not to have access to those. Fingerprints take up to a year. In short the cops don't care. Well at night we have an armed guard. I went to check on him last night and he looks trigger happy. I told him who I was and he wanted my license before he would talk to me. I was more than happy to comply.

I put everything through insurance and actually though two of the claims won't hit until next year I did have this theft and my rates for cargo insurance didn't go up that much. Well Ryder came back with close to $100,000 in premium and I got it for I think it was $62,000 with a good company. I just have two agents now which is a pain.

Just about everyone is seeing increases this year. In fact, most have gotten increases for the last two or three years. I spoke with one insurance company and he told me that most new authorities are paying around $10-12,000. Man, that would be a killer starting out. Back when I hauled cars my premium was around $8,200, but that was with $250,000 cargo. It was a lot of money. I need to make a decision on my insurance this week. It still looks like my current agent will give the best rate and with my current insurance company. I am still waiting on a couple more quotes, but I don't want to have a lapse in coverage and I only have a couple of weeks until my current policy expires.

A hell of a week. A few weeks ago I had a Ryder unit go on me and cause a frozen flower load and then they gave me a bad reefer and I flipped (I never claimed to be some businessman and so apparently you can't say certain things or they get offended) I am a man and I express myself as such when people push me. Well big war with Ryder and this came to the point I was going to hand all the trucks back. I don't care, I was smart and made enough (not enough to retire but enough to last a long time while I find something else. Now they are flying down some Senior Vice President to see me.

The drivers knew nothing of this and all I hear is complaints. The refrigerator isn't working etc. I am going on a firing spree and putting some order to this. I got rid of the safety manager who was, well long story but I'm shaking things up.

I got a call also from the DOT or actually the Florida Highway Patrol which I guess merged with the DOT and I am being audited. I think I'll be good but I heard the drug books need to be under lock and key. Not sure if that is true.

This is some sh...t I got myself into. If it wasn't for my little girl I'd be out. Things are going well to. New customers left and right. Picking up customers almost daily mostly out of Florida. While I am not in the day to day of booking the trucks, from what I hear people are deadheading out of here. Yesterday we did a dry load for $1.48 to the Carolinas and a reefer load with a few picks in Miami to Chicago for $2500. I wasn't happy about the $1.48 load but we had a bunch of trucks down here.

I don't know how Ryder stays in business. I went to Penske but seems like they are going to be a lot more money. But I guess what you pay for. I hear their service level is the same anyway. Wish I had a few billion I'd like to start my own leasing company and provide good service.

Maybe a weekend in Key West is what you need. Sit by the water with a drink in your hand and clear your head.

i know you said before you are based out of south fl. not sure where but... it sounds like they BS'ed you. ryders headquarters is in miami. unless something has changed in the past few years last i heard everyone was based out of miami. if you are around the palm beach area... the location in riv. beach is a joke. thats where we used to get our trucks out of when i was working in fl. they were great when they were gator leasing. but once they took over.. it went down.. fast. there was a few good mechanics there but not many. the head guy there (when i was there anyway) was a joke. he was a bigger guy real bad attitude. after my EGR valve went in my truck i brought it in.. never was the same after and they told my boss at the time that it was me.. they are a joke. good moving to penskee.

I went to the Keys once, in my head it's like going to the Cape. I'm only 15 minutes from the beach now (believe it or not I like the beaches up there better. Nothing like Nantasket Beach up there. I'll be good, I just need a couple more years and then I can liquidate with a lot more and a bit more orderly. (barring nothing major happening). The main thing is my daughter. Me and my wife are providing her with a life I never would have dreamed possible for me.

No I'm sure he's out of Atlanta but you are right HQ is in Miami. I've been there once. Beautiful building I'll say that. But I think they told me they put another place in Atlanta about 15 years ago. It's called Ryder Shared Center that's where the billing and a lot of other stuff is done.

I actually didn't like Gator, but that's when I was driving local and dealt with the shop out of Ft Lauderdale. The Ryder employees aren't rude to me (well I'm not rude either) but as I'm the one paying the bills they act all nice. I got wind of one treating one of my drivers once rudely and I told them that everyone in this company is your customer so I expect everyone to be treated the same. Again real situation I got myself into.

I'm thinking of buying a yard. A big one with a wall and an office etc. Plenty of room for parking for a lot of trucks. But I wouldn't rent out to locals I'd rather have one of the big companies use it as a drop yard, after all it is South Florida; hard to park, safety etc. I wouldn't even know what to charge.

I contacted my insurance agency this week. I want to buy excess liability insurance. I figure it's just a matter of time, well let's hope not but with this many trucks on the road something is bound to happen.

Merrick, let us know how your Audit by the DOT- FHP. went. That right there would have a lot of people nervous.

It was a mistake. I had to open the intermodal company and it was a new entrant audit. I called the cop and he was overwhelmed and said he would get back to me.

Actually I wasn't that nervous. I called a compliance person and he started asking me questions (like the random driver drug test ratio for last year) and I knew the number off the top of my head. So I think I would have been alright.

Besides I'm at the point where I just don't care anymore. What I mean is shut me down I don't care. We run legit but with the drivers complaining and all the other BS that goes in this business I just don't care.

The meeting with the Senior Vice President went well. He was out of Atlanta but was from my home state of Mass and we hit it off instantly. He even said if he'd know I was from up there he would have understood the complaints Ryder employees had against me better. He also seemed upset and said I had viable complaints. Upset with the shops that is. They fix and fix and fix the same thing over and over.

Merrick, I noticed that you are about to pull the plug on this Company. Last time you said you almost pull it but cooled off. I remember one time when I was Company Driver here in Florida for Commercial Carrier Corporation, and I was complaining that I wanted more loads and having a bad attitude and behind the scenes, there was a major slow down in business and the Manager that I was complaining to was asking the dispatchers who are we going to let go, and that was happening behind doors and after the storm passed, I was still employed and the reason was because I transferred to another terminal to pull Lime and drivers with more seniority than me lost their jobs. So those guys that complain in you company should be careful. They might see a big pad lock on the fence and you will be in Key West drinking margaritas with less headaches.

You have that right Driver of the Year, don't get me wrong I have a solid core group of good drivers, but these other ones do stupid things and then come back literally pleading for their job back. These are grown men and they can't face the consequences of their actions. I had another freaking surgery yesterday and I had some guy calling and texting me since I awoke saying he made a terrible mistake leaving and he would like to come back.

I don't even know this guy, he screwed up since when did I become Jesus Christ (I'm not religious or Christian but I think Jesus was know or believed to be a savior or redeemer or something. Anyway you get my point. ) Like I have said, I have been smart. I have not gone on spending sprees, live well below my means and have a wife with a 6 figure job. I could get out of this and find something else.

On top of that, again I'm appreciative I can provide my daughter with a life I never dreamed of, I am somewhat solitary. I have vendors calling me all day long. People think you own a business and you are a millionaire. It's all about attitude. Many people would love to be in my position, I know that. But I am not materialistic and don't like the title Owner, Boss, etc. I came to this state basically broke and well I'm not broke anymore I haven't changed one bit. The people around me (which I limit) well that's another story.

I read this and think back to the first business I started. 35 years later and it's the same problems. Won't say that you will ever get used to it, just get a more jaded view of things. I do think that the general attitude of employees is far worse now than back then.

Know I said it before, booze helps :)

I tried the booze, I never drank in my life either. But then I gained weight (more then ever in my life; I have always been fit) and that's what got me back into the gym and I lost my weight wicked fast but all this injuries that I probably had came to light (I was on steroids as a teen and off and on always training very hard). I just had a hernia operation two days ago. Anyway no more drinking but what works for me is Xan... you know.

This is definitely jading me. I've seen a lot in life too, a real lot. But I was never responsible for anyone but myself. Now I have like 50 employees. They all look to me for the answers to everything. I walk in the other day to the office and the internet and server was down. I walk back and something fell and it was all just unplugged. I mean good lord do I really have to fix that too.

I don't know, I have a good business model, I need to keep this going and find competent hands and do something else. I'm not spending the rest of my life in something I don't like. I could get real big then accidents and claims are par for the course, but like I said I have a good solid core of drivers and I like having an open door policy for them.

I don't know, I'm only 42, well 43 in a week or so, I still have my whole life ahead of me. Who knows the future.

I have a customer whom I am fairly good friends with, family owned with 300+ employees. When I feel the need to relax I go see them and just sit in the office and listen to all that happens. Puts my problems in perspective.

How many drivers do you have now?

In the low 40's but we made some changes and will be resuming hiring again. Why I don't know. I just signed for 10 more trailers and need more trucks. Again why I don't stop I don't know. I guess you would understand more than anyone. Well maybe not. You don't realize the culture up there until you leave. But the pace is very fast and I'm hyper as it is.

I believe you. I don't delude myself that any business is easy. My wife just switched jobs and there are two partners and now her and one other. One of the owners loves the industry they are in (as does my wife), they just hate the clients (it is a consulting business) and these are people that are of very high net worth. But sometimes those people have generational wealth, others maybe smart in one sense and stupid in another. I don't know.

By the way I am using that lawyer again up in your state on one of these theft claims. This guy is a miracle worker. It's not looking so good for them. I don't understand it all but as you know the Carmack amendment works against us but this company that is claiming us on their own contract limited our exposure. The adjuster who was useless is gone and the insurance company is now letting the lawyer handle the claim.

What a ride!!
 

First time poster...

What an amazing story, Merrick! THANK YOU for sharing it. I am a 55 yr old business man who has done everything from start a Nationally Chartered bank, built a document scanning company from 8 employees to 150 to owning a large internet service provider and several other things.

My experience that most mirrors yours was my document scanning company. It got to a point where my day was filled with putting out fires. That was all I did. I was always behind on something. I don't get a sense that you're behind on anything you need to do, but I still get a sense that you feel that your company is unwieldy and a hassle.

We grew from 75-80 employees to 140 employees in the course of a year or so. We were able to do that because I hired a guy who was experienced running large factories with 600-900 employees. He knew how to set policies. He knew how to build teams that could develop and implement policies. My stress factor went DOWN, even though we doubled in size.

I think that is what is missing from your company. And let me say, finding that key person isn't easy, but there has to be someone out there who can take the calls that you shouldn't be taking and dealing with the issues that you shouldn't be dealing with. You will be able to grow bigger with an acceptable level of stress.

The reason I am here and the reason why I read this entire thread is I am considering getting started in the trucking business. I have meetings with FedEx today to discuss some programs they have available. Based on what I'm reading, I'm not likely to start there, but I wanted to have the conversation with them.

Great stuff Merrick and I wish you well as you go forward.

Texan59

Finished my meeting with FedEx yesterday. They have a lot of opportunities for teams here in DFW, but it appears that there is a major shortage of drivers. I could buy a truck no problem, but I would be worried about being able to hire a team.

Merrick, would it be possible to communicate with you offline, either by email or by phone? I tried to private message you, but as a new forum member, I don't think I have those privileges.

Thanks,

Texan59

Good luck on him responding back... I sent him a pm 4 yrs ago and no response back... Still waiting lol

You need to post 25 posts before you can pm. At least I think it is still 25. Merrick does check in regularly. I have had drivers and can tell you that they are your greatest asset and worst nightmare. If you get a good one, you do what you can to keep him. There is still a high turnover for drivers in this industry, but it is down from a few years ago. It was around 136%. I read somewhere that is is down to 76%. It is still high, but half what is was a few years ago. There are a lot of drivers in your neck of the woods. Recruiting is usually a continuing struggle for most who own trucks. I have had some success using the state employment office. I will add something else. Contrary to what you may be reading about driver shortage, I don't see it. We are told there is a shortage of 20,000 drivers. That is less than 1% of the total drivers in the nation. We have between 3-5 million drivers in this country. Having a shortage of 20,000 is not a shortage. The situation is complicated by the CSA and some of the nonsense we see coming out of Washington. Some of the more experience and best drivers are retiring of finding other things to do. This is likely to create a real shortage in the next decade. Since you sound as though you want to lease your trucks to another carrier rather than get your own authority, you might want to look at other carriers than FedEx. Most will help you find qualified drivers to fill your seats. I have had trucks leased to other carriers and my experience has been mixed. Either way, you can expect to have driver turnover. It is an unfortunate cost of doing business. Good luck to you, texan59

GMAN-

Thank you very kindly for your reply. It was very helpful. My background is in finance / accounting and I *think* I have a handle the cost of operating a tractor for FedEx. The big question mark is drivers. FedEx has several slots available in my area for team units. They have a few solo slots, but they said they will probably get filled by contractors who are already working for FedEx because of the points they have. As I mentioned, in my past, I ran a company with 140+ employees. What made it workable was I had a supervisor who hired and fired and I had a back office do all the paperwork and grunt work. Now, I have a couple employees in another business who can handle the paperwork, but I will be the person responsible for hiring and firing.

I go on Craigslist (for DFW) and I see numerous ads from other FedEx contractors looking for drivers. And, the local linehaul manager told me that there are several contractors' trucks sitting without drivers. That doesn't sound good. The only way to fill the seats in my trucks would be to pay more or structure it differently and that cuts into the bottom line. It is supply and demand. Right now, for FedEx linehaul drivers in DFW, the demand is greater than the supply.

I enjoy the trucking business and drove a flatbed 18 wheeler many, many moons ago for my parents' company. If I go in this direction, I would go to truck driving school, get my CDL and be a relief driver.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to attract good driving teams, I would love the input.

I have also owned other businesses that are not related to trucking and had a lot of employees. I never had the turnover in any other business as I have had in trucking and I have always paid drivers well. I pay percentage and that offers a higher potential income to a good driver. Some prefer mileage pay. You will hear that low pay is the primary reason for driver turnover, but that is not really the case, at least in most instances. Pay can be a factor, but there are other reasons that seem to be more important. If I were looking for teams I would try to first find a husband and wife team who both had their CDL and several years experience. A couple in a truck will either enjoy the closeness or kill one another. lol. It will be challenging to find a team that is compatible. For instance, if one is a smoker and the other isn't, there could be some serious conflicts. When two people are confined in such a small space for days at a time, it can add a lot of extra stress. Are you only interested in FedEx or have you considered other carriers? What is FedEx offering these days?

I'm open to any IC opportunity. I would like to build a small fleet of trucks. I'm following Malaki86's thread and Schneider looks interesting. I understand you're CRST Malone has potential. Like I said, I've made no commitments and am open.

As to FedEx, their program isn't too bad, at least to this uniformed person. For teams, it is $1.285 mileage, 2.5 cent "Mileage Plus", 33.8 cent Fuel surcharge. It works out to $1.648 plus there is a 3.2 cpm safety bonus that is possible. No touch freight, solos are getting 8 cpm less. Truck on the "board" are getting ~2500 miles / week solo and ~5000 miles/week team.

EDIT: Also, diesel is available at the hubs for about $0.30 / gallon less than on the open market. With a 5MPG tractor, that works out to a $0.06 per mile saving. Add that to $1.648 and you're at $1.708 gross.

Thank you for the kind words texan59 (and sorry xcarsalesman for not responding. I don't remember but nonetheless I apologize). Honestly you are going to get the best advice from GMAN. You mentioned that it seems the best way to get the drivers is pay more. It doesn't matter how much you pay a guy with a bad attitude in life. It's never enough.

We just had a guy who was fine and happy with the job, but he tried to get over on me claiming I make a lot of money. (He's fired btw). But like GMAN said, there are good ones because another driver commented about the whole thing, "I come here to drink the milk, not count the cows". He has a great attitude and I appreciate him as much as he appreciates the job.

I assume a degree in accounting would help in general in life, but you can budget to the penny and next thing you know a driver ends up on a yellow pole at a truck stop (how we don't know). In my opinion, and I was explaining this to a guy who was fired for log violations but humbled himself extremely and right now is shuttling trucks for me until he earns my trust back (he has) that people think I am the "boss" or I own a business. In truth in my opinion, it's all a delusion. I have to answer to insurance companies, vendors which includes not only the trucks and trailers but even the software in my office. Yes I make a decent living but they have to allow that or nobody would even bother. I am not into conspiracies or politics but more and more these are my thoughts. Buy a 7-11 franchise and you think you own something but they tell you exactly what to do including how many days you have to be in the store.

But I digressed. GMAN was right about the driver shortage. It was a good point. Seems like everyday a new rule pops up. The funny thing is everyone talks about a national shutdown which will never happen, when in truth you just need to boycott someone like Swift (and I have nothing against them and respect Jerry Moyers for becoming a billionaire) but he's running a publicly traded company and HAS to answer to shareholders (you see billionaire that he is, he still needs to keep Wall Street happy). You take them down, you hurt Walmart in the process and then we will see all the rest fall into line rethinking our time is free at the dock or all the other things they get out of drivers and small carriers. You take out the biggest and the rest will fold. Just one publicly traded company. Just 14,000 drivers and more damage will be done than 100,000 drivers shutting down (which will never happen anyway).

Transplace was owned by Swift, Covenant, US Express, I think JB Hunt, but during the downturn they needed to keep their shareholders happy so they sold it.

Anyway, sorry again for the digression. GMAN is right. That team thing is tricky. I have had good luck with it. But there are plenty of stories where drivers were "forgotten" at the truck stop. But you are right about one thing Texan59, you get the right person in place and this can go far. I never managed grown adults that act like kids. I never had people think I was a bank and ask for loans even though I don't even know them (some of the newer drivers). I know how to manage money. I just got 10 new trailers this week and now have over 50. I never thought it would get this far and to be honest I feel I should be farther along.

Like GMAN I pay percentage and at this point I refuse to stop and explain why people aren't deadheading for free if it pays over $2 a mile ALL MILES. Some just wont get it. I'll close by saying right now I'm trying to get health insurance for the drivers, but I can't get all of them to fill out the census. Legally I'm not even obligated to do it right now and I get it free through my wife's work, it's just something I want to do. But I can't because they wont fill out the forms (which by the way takes 15 minutes and can be done on line. ).

Well good luck. Ask away any questions. I am very open and the people on the board here are very helpful.

The pay is about what I expected at FedEx. Discounts on fuel also helps the bottom line. I don't know if you have been able to look at your potential operating costs, but that would be a good place to start planning. OOIDA has a spreadsheet that you can download from their website Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (www.ooida.com). The letters stand for "Owner Operator Independent Driver Association." It is the closest thing drivers, owner operators and fleet owners have to a trade association. They are a good resource. Membership is $45/year and only $25/year towards the end of the year and at the trucking shows. I don't think you have to be a member to access the spreadsheet. It isn't perfect, but is a good basis to use. The spreadsheet will allow you to plug in your own numbers and play with them. It can be helpful to look at the numbers in black and white. It could help you build some pro forma's for your own business model.

I would suggest you ask FedEx or any other carrier to whom you plan to lease on how they calculate their mileage pay. Most pay practical, hub or household miles. Few pay hub miles. I prefer practical. How they calculate miles can make a difference of 8-15% and that can make the difference between being profitable or losing your shirt. As someone who has owned trucks for some years, I can tell you that you will have times when part of your fleet will be sitting due to not having a driver. It is something that should be included in any business plan, but few take that into consideration. Merrick or any other truck owner will tell you the same thing. It would be great if we never had a vacancy or lost a good driver, but that isn't the way things go in this business. You can make good money in trucking and as a fleet owner. It takes a lot of time and effort to keep things running smoothly. I think it is a great idea for you to get your CDL and to be a relief driver. That could be very important if you lose a driver and have a critical load on the truck.

CRST Malone used to be a good company. Talking to a few of their current owner operators, most seem to still be happy with them. I think the last time I spoke with one of their recruiters they told me their trucks were averaging around $2/mile. But, pulling flats will require more of an investment for tarps, chains and other securement equipment and you will need to rent or purchase a flatbed trailer. They have them available for a weekly rental fee or you can get your own. They pay percentage, so the owner operator can earn more than most who run mileage. Running percentage can involve more of your time to find the better paying loads, but I think it is well worth the extra effort.

There are several fleet owners and small carrier owners who post on this forum. Merrick is one of our older posters who own multiple trucks. I think you will find that any of us are willing to share our experiences with you. Feel free to ask anything you wish. Once you get your post count up a little more, you can send a pm to any one of them or continue to post on the open forum.

Texan this is from a former Team driver so take it for what it is worth I ran Team in 97-98 and again 99-00 so I have a bit of an idea of what Teams might want. First off is a LARGE Bunk. I am not talking a 144 inch Sleeper but get the Largest Factory Sleeper Truck you can. 2nd have it Equipped with Extra Sound Insulation plus a High quality Memory Foam Mattress and a Very good Drivers Seat. Next Long Range Tanks Minimum 130 gallon on each Side the worst thing a team truck needs to do is be stopping for fuel every freaking 8 hours. Now equip that sucker with a Fridge Microwave and pay them Well and your going to get that Experienced Team you want to drive for you. Last thing give them the option to run at least 70 MPH why that fast so they can make time during the night and also pass about every Fleet truck out there.

Little off topic. But as far a driver shortage. I do believe it all comes down to pay. The only job I had where I was gone for a week at a time is when I worked on tugboats. I know it's two different industry but both jobs you are away from home. When I was a deck hand with no experience I started at 225 a day. The tug company paid for all your meals. Alot of the maritime industry is union. All I'm trying to say is. Them guys are away for weeks on end. Some even months. They had no where near the turn over as trucking does.

If you don't think it's pay, then what else could it be? ?

I don't know anything about tugboats, but I use to talk to people from Fall River and New Bedford Mass who were fisherman. That was hard work from what they said. Also very dangerous if I recall. You need work ethic for stuff like that and unfortunately that is missing in today's trucking. Also Fall River and New Bedford aren't the nicest of areas (or they weren't when I was up there), a lot of drugs etc, but people weren't going on those fishing boats with needles in their arms of that I can be assured. They would have been killed.

Also, people need fish or want fish to eat. This whole trucking system is against truckers. So much regulation, shippers and brokers and receivers that if they don't need the product will let you sit hours on end. Why should it be incumbent on the trucking companies to have to pay for their drivers and trucks to be sitting idle (unless they are actually being paid detention). Also we get detention, but we can't get the driver's to call in for it so we can get the process going. Also in truth sometimes they probably don't because they are lying down and sleeping.

To be honest, this thread might be coming to an end. I've had enough. I make money but I don't want to live my life and say I "made money". Everyday more I can't stand this business. I was smart, I didn't spend; I saved. I'm 43 with a brain in my head, I'll figure something out. I live way below my means so I have time to figure things out.

Oh I know what your saying. I wouldn't want no parts of owning a OTR trucking company. More power to ya

Now someone tells me I shouldn't have done this. Where were you a few years ago :)

The driver turnover would be the biggest reason why. Plus I like my trucks to come back to the barn everyday. So I can do repairs and maintenance on them. And stay on top of them. Just my 2 cents. Lol