Hey Clint!
Keep up the good work man! I have been reading your posts from day one. I am very impressed in what you have accomplished in such a short time. If you are ever through the Evansville Indiana area, let me know. I will hook up with you and treat you to lunch or dinner. I will PM you my number if you would like. Keep the shiny side up!

DAN

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!

You're on!! I can think of a few islands.... like Green Turtle Cay, Eluthra, or some of the small cays down in the Turks and Caico's.....and then there's always Luperon, in the DR...... 8) 8) 8)

Umm, yeah. I am notorious for throwing a monkey wrench in the works :twisted: Sorry. I guess we'll just have to come up with another loser story to whine about :oops: Got any good ideas?

When I lived in Neosho, I was in one of our major shipping lanes. I could have went home a couple of times a month if I had wanted to. If you have a good idea of where you'll be running, you can probably make an easy go of it. It just depends on where you live and where you run. I was no where near a terminal, so I used to just drop the rig at the local Wally and 'tail it back to the hacienda.

BOL!

Did you grab any photos of your run in with the deer? Glad you're ok on that one.

Thanks, Dan! That is very kind of you to make the offer. Perhaps I shall take you up on it some day :D

Nope, sorry. No photo op's to be had. I was doing 65 mph, it was 06:15, and there was no room to pull over. I don't think that Bambi would have been too photogenic, had I the chance.

I do, however, have some cool photos of other stuff that I have been shooting along the hills and dales. I'll post a link when I have 'em up.

Til next...

I've seen plenty of dead deer silly. I meant any pics of the damage to the truck?

The word here in Suitability.

Even a good, fair lease purchase program is not for everyone. Putting someone fresh out of the CDL mill with little to no financial literacy into a L/P program is like selling a hot IPO tech-stock to an 85yr old widow.

You are single with little/no overhead; have elite mechanical skills and have operated your own businesses in the past. You have clear understanding of the risks and rewards of L/P versus being a company driver.

You found a fertile Oasis of flatbedding in the middle of the Swift dry van desert.

Hey samael9,
I have been one the "lukers that you referred to. Just wanted to let you know that I have been reading and enjoying you posts. Your positive attitude towards things is something that lacks in everyday life and not just the trucking industry. I myself left a very well paying (triple digit most years with bonus) management job with Firestone for the past 11 years due to what was becoming a very unethical company business plan from the company. Now I am waiting to begin my CDL training with Maverick. I hope that I am making the right career choice but I am at a time in life to do it. Anyways I just wanted to pop in and say "Hi" and that your posts are refreshing compared to some on this forum.

Best of luck and continued success,
Popeye

Hey Thanks!!!! :P

And best wishes with your adventure at Maverick! Everyone seems to like what they are doing (from what I've read here). It'll be interesting to see how it goes for you. As you may have noticed, I love pulling a flat. Feel free to PM me anytime.

Bad news always travels faster than good news. It sorta aligns itself with the "misery loves company" principal. Funny, it seems as though the ratio miserable-with-internet access outweighs content-with-internet access. Why is that?

Hey Dude,

Sorry for the belated "congratulations!" on your decision to move forward. I am happy that you changed your game plan and decided to stick with Swift.

Remember... It takes a few weeks for the greenbacks to start rolling in. Don't freak, it's just the nature of the start-up.

" i still have my doubts,but i believe this oppurtinity was handed to me for a reason"

It isn't just being handed to you. You went after *it*. Doubt only comes from lack of experience. The innate confidence you have in yourself carried you to the office to get started. Your success with the program, ultimately, rests upon your shoulders in that you need to keep the truck moving well.

Please keep us all posted as to how things go for you!!! :wink:

And certainly, if there is anything I can do to help, please feel free to ask.

Thanks and I will let you know once I get started.

Clint-O....what's the latest?

:twisted: 8) :twisted:

Wasn't I 'possed-ta b finished writing on this thread?????????????

NO, ROG-O

Oh com'on, been sitting here for a week to read the next chapter of your experience..... I really want to see you rise above the negative posters that seem to predominate around here.....Some of us can relate to what you are doing...Besides you have a very good grasp of writing that I find exceptional........ Look at the views... I am not alone 8)

i enjoy reading these forums, especially the successful ones. two question though. i was talkng to a LP driver in laredo and he mentioned the monthly overage for miles. is this in your lease or do you make enough to support this added charge. you may have written about it somewhere in the forum but i stopped around page 11 or 12. also, are you on a first in-first out dispatch.

play safe

And who, I might asked told you that? Sorry buck-o, you now have responsibilities....to your loyal readers. Yep, comes with success.....so stretch, crack the knuckles, take another sip of joe, and hit the ol keyboard 8)

Have you heard from Tootie and sig-other? Busy haulin logs and moving from OK to NC I suppose.

Hope all is well wherever in the lower 48 this finds you...

Hey we are still here....been kinda quiet though....not alot to write about lately

I will update today....

Clint, I enjoy reading your posts too. Alot of us have learned from your experiences. I just like reading your posts and like to see week to week how things go.

tootie

Come on now buck-o, get with the writing! I need to read me some good stuff!!!

The lease is written to allow for 11k per month. The excessive mileage fee is something like 10¢/mile and is deducted from your settlements. This money is accounted for, and should you decide to buy at the end of the lease, the accrued amount is then applied to the balloon.

Hope that helps.....

"Since the end is never told, we pay the teller off in gold,
In hopes he will return, but he cannot be bought or sold."
Terrapin Station

And the Whistle is Screaming..........

"Since the end is never told, we pay the teller off in gold,
In hopes he will return, but he cannot be bought or sold."
Terrapin Station

And the Whistle is Screaming..........

Hey clint whats with these half-azzed replies? DOnt let these haters,scare you away from posting. I was enjoying reading your posts,but now its plain and boring.I wouldnt mind knowing the ins and outs of how there L/O is treating you,but i guess i'll have to gauge it for myself.


I pick up my truck in PHX this friday, i have never owned my own business.But i do know that in order to be sucessful you have to surround yourself,with smarter people.

Iv'e set goals for myself, in Jan when the freight is slow,im going to get a APU system installed in the truck.I want to be able to pay off the truck in cash,when the lease is up.To be able to do this without being a trainer.After the truck is paid off,and i feel that i'm ready to train another future driver,then i would like to try being a trainer.

I'll update you this friday,when i get my hands on those keys,and after i dry hump the truck....keep us updated clint,lately on the boring azz,1 sentance,not really saying much meter,you score a 10 out of 10.

Mind your manners, sonny. I fear nothing of those of whom you speak. They have yet to rear their ugly heads here either. Plain and boring, you say? Then why bother.......

I tip my hat to your new adventure. Good thing you chose to take delivery of your tractor in PHX. They have the best selection of units and they seem to be well looked after. For your own sake, I hope you find a qualified technician to inspect your vehicle, should you not have the familiarity to do so competently. It is easy to overlook potentially expensive mechanical issues in the heat of the moment. Please choose your weapon wisely.

Thank you for the compliment. If you PM me, I'll give you my phone number and share what I can.

One thing at a time. Goals are important. So is your maintenance account. If you really crank up the witholdings, as I have, you will see your way to liquidity in very short order


The APU is a nice idea, but at $6-$8000, it is a major, major investment.
I would be reluctant to shell out that kind of dough during the lease period. Anything can happen while the vehicle is in IEL's name. Should things take a turn for the worse, and they re-claim the tractor, you would loose that APU and the money you spent to have it installed. Your best bet is to bank the cash, idle the truck only when necessary and bank the cash.

Manners, please. I deserve more respect......

Folks, I did a good job doing the "what about this company" story. By now, we all know a few things about evil brand S and its flatbed division. It is a tiny beast with big teeth in a jungle of white boxes. If you wanna pull a flat, they have a great division. As evidenced by my successes, it is easy for anyone to see that you can make money here and be treated as well as you treat the good people who run the division.

The trucking business, by necessity of profit and survival, needs to move freight efficiently. Cold as it may seem, the companies will take care of themselves before they take care of the individual. If you come into the industry with virtually no needs, then you will do better than a person who needs to be home every other weekend, or similar. This is particularly true at the bottom of the food chain.

Also, with so many box-haulers out there, it is near impossible to get any recognition or respect in the early days of one's new career. With so many asses out there to fill seats, you can bet yours will be pushed further back when your demands and expectations climb past what "they" want to hear. Finding one's way quickly into a niche of any significance will help reduce your transparency.

I do well because I have no home or family which requires my presence. My RDO status is fixed at 999, which means I am always available. This industry runs because of availability. It dictates freight rates, pure and simple. As I am always available, always on time, and my ETA reliability is near flawless, they keep me real busy. They give me lots of critical loads with tight schedules and I don't ask for much in return.

A young person with this level of availability and dedication to his career could easily retire within 10 years from Swift. It would take careful accountancy, a solid investment and savings strategy and a whole bunch of Will.

My CPA and I went through the lease contract with a fine toothed comb. To do any better would require the services of a good contract attorney. The program is solid, but it is only as good as the person who comes to the game.

I would like to thank everyone who has cheered me on and those who questioned the validity of my posts (Smooth, buddy).

I'm not leaving the boards, but I am through with this thread as mentioned previously. I've grossed $30k to date, netted roughly $9k, banked several thousand in my maintenance account and paid off several grand worth of stale bills from when I was seriously ill last fall. As they say in the hallowed halls of AA; it works if you work it, and if you don't, your misery will gladly be refunded.

Best wishes to everyone.

Clint,Thank you for your time and best wishes..

10 years then retire? Ballsy statement! :P

Cliff A question Please
 

I drive for UPS Freight. I am not making the money I want to make. I am trying to decide between Maverick,TMC and after reading your great story, one of the few I actuallt believe, thank you for your honesty. As an ex-cop I dont believe much. And now Swift after reading your post. I really want to get a handle on what I could expect to make weekly from a low end to a high end with Swift flatbed. I have owned my business before and once I learn the ropes I would like to do it again.

Thank you and drive safe.

Tally-ho....Clint. Thanks for taking the time on this thread. It's been informative and entertaining....two good things!!

I'll give you a call to catch up one of these days....

Thanks for all the hours of information and entertainment.

I certainly hope not as many of us enjoy your writing style and what you have to say. Please keep us updated from time to time on how you and BB are doing.

Thanks for a good read clint....keep us updated and let us know how the winter months are compared to summer. Winter is the most difficult time for all truckers especially lease ops.

tootie

Samael9 Can you send me a PM?
 

I drive for UPS Freight and I have a couple questions about Swift Flatbed. Can you shoot me a PM so I can reply to it?

Thank You-Dale

Clint, how are things going for you? Hope all is well.

Always a good read from clint