FedEx

Freight out of here still hasn't picked up, so I'm still at home.

FedEx recruiter called Tuesday and made this offer to move the International and one of the Sprinters from T/S to FCC.

$1000 sign on bonus for each truck. Free sign removal Free sign installation Total value of the offer came to $3,140. International qualifies for White Glove after 6 months. He went on about how FCC pays more than T/S both on the linehaul and deadhead miles, how FCC is better because they have a larger customer base and how the FedEx name is a better draw to customers, etc. Told him I'd get back to him.

Did the research.

Advantages:
The sign on bonus is attractive. Half paid at orientation, half after the 25th load is completed. Deadhead miles do pay better with FCC. They pay the FSC on all dispatched miles in addition to the deadhead pay. Customer base is larger, and the FedEx name is a good draw. Qualcomm rental is the same as T/S so that's a wash. Bobtail insurance is cheaper since they have a large fleet. 1400 trucks of all types.

Disadvantages:

Escrow is $1500 for the International, $1000 for the Sprinter. Three times what T/S escrow is. They have a new dispatch system that is totally computerized. Load offers come over the QC only they make no phone calls. You have 10 minutes to respond by QC or phone. Problem if you're sleeping and don't hear the QC beep. They list the revenue average for the International at $1.87 per mile loaded, $1.00 for all miles based on a 56% load acceptance rate. Sprinter is $1.45 loaded, $.72 all miles based on a 67% load acceptance. T/S pays by the mile. Catch is that FCC pays by percentage and since most C unit loads are B unit size freight, the International would be paid the B unit rate for most loads. The projected yearly average for the Sprinter is about 20k less than what I project it to make with T/S. White Glove prefers teams and there is a waiting list. Drivers HAVE to have Hazmat endorsements and Canada FAST cards.

I'll be staying with T/S

Sprinter #1
DECATUR/ IL LAFAYETTE/ IN
SO BEND/ IN E PEORIA/ IL
CHAMPAIGN/ IL GRIFFIN/ GA
DAWSONVILLE/ GA FT VALLEY/ GA

Sprinter #2
TAH

Sprinter #3
WAYCROSS/ GA CINCINNATI/ OH Transferred at Nashville
Bonused to Louisville
LOUISVILLE/ KY SELMER/ TN

Expo

Went to the Expedite Expo Friday in Wilmington. We were a bit disappointed with it, but I accomplished most of what I wanted to.

Disappointments:

Chrome Shop Mafia wasn't there. I assumed they would make an appearance at some point, but no times were posted. Truck they had on display was cool though.

Tri-State's booth. No handouts, and very little information available that I could see. They were a major sponsor of the event so I expected more from them. They didn't talk to us very long, and didn't treat us like I thought they should treat a fleet owner either. That will factor into a decision I will be making.

Freightliner of Knoxville. This dealer is where I bought the International. Found out that Jon Mosier, a major player in the expedite truck sales game, no longer works for them. The guy that was there was less than thrilled to be there and showed it.

If there was food there, we couldn't find it and the music outside was so loud you couldn't hear anyone talk even if they were standing right next to you.

Accomplishments:

Met the former head of recruiting at T/S. I had talked to him at length during my research of the expedite business. He had left T/S shortly before I went to orientation. He's now with RJR Transportation.

Talked with the company that built the sleeper and generator on the International. The owner had not arrived yet, but I got my point across that I was very unhappy with their generator. The rep that was there said he would have the owner call me to see what could be done to correct the situation, but I am not holding my breath.

Met with the owner and sales manager of Idlebuster. Had a productive discussion with them and was very impressed with their APU design. They apologized for not having the engine yet for Sprinter #3's unit and promised to hurry it up as much as possible.

FedEx. Talked with one of their recruiters and was impressed with his presentation and what they offer. He said they absolutely needed the International (it qualifies for White Glove)and could also use one of the Sprinters for a dedicated account that is coming online shortly. They pay quite a bit more per mile than T/S have a structured FSC. The biggest things for me was that they pay the FSC for all dispatched miles including deadhead, and they no longer charge $500. for sign installation. The only drawback is that they require Hazmat and Canada even if you have no intention of doing either.

Overall, the expo was a good experience and we will attend next year. We stopped at the Flying J in Jeffersonville on the way home to grab a bite to eat. Wife said she wanted to see a truck stop close up, so I went along. Got home around 1630.

Shoulder feels decent and I still plan on heading out Monday if the creeks don't rise and no dogfights develop.

Sprinter #1
Layover in Decatur, IL

Sprinter #2
NO KINGSVILLE/ OH FOUNTAIN INN/ SC
Bonused to Lexington, KY
Deadhead home for TAH

Sprinter #3
Bonused to Lexington, KY
Transfer load to Griffin, GA
Layover in Albany, GA

BORED!!!!!!!!!

Another boring day in the neighborhood. Shoulder improving to the point I'm starting to move it so it won't stiffen up. I found the "rubber bands" I had from the therapy on the left shoulder, and I started to use them to keep the strength up in the right. They are different tension bands that you anchor to a fixed object and then you pull on them. I'll take them with me in the truck to keep exercising.

Freight still slow but showing signs of picking up. Caterpillar is the main source for the Sprinters right now.

Sprinter #1
BUCYRUS/ OH AURORA/ IL

Sprinter #2
SARVER/ PA ITHACA/ NY
Bonused to Pittsburgh and then to Cleveland

Sprinter #3
ST JOHNS/ MI ELK GROVE VILLAGE/ IL
WOODRIDGE/ IL CHAMPAIGN/ IL

Deja Vu

What's that old saying? Best laid plans of mice and men? I can't speak for the mice, but my plan got shot to hell yesterday morning in a dogfight.

Yeah, quite literally a dogfight. I had taken everything over to the International Sunday with the exception of food. My plan was to call the fleet coordinator Monday morning and get on the board. Yeah, right.

Wife had to leave early to take her Mom to the doctor, so as she was leaving she opened the bedroom door. Dog #1 jumps on the bed startling sleeping dog #2 who was on the bed with me. I was sound asleep as well. Dog #2 jumps up snapping at dog #1 and a screaming fight ensues and they fall to the floor. With my reflexes being what they are, I came up off the bed and landed on top of them before wife could take a step. I moved so fast that I tore the top sheet and comforter completely off the bed. I was still asleep when I moved.

Somewhere in the process I sort of woke up and saw that dog #1 is chewing on dog #2's ear. Grabbed #1's jaw with my left hand and started slapping the side of her face with guess what? Yeah, my RIGHT hand. I think I startled both of them enough for jaws to open and the fight was over.

Adrenalin is a wonderful thing until it wears off. By now I was fully awake, and fully aware that my shoulder was the one now screaming. Yeah, it popped again and now I am right back where I was last Saturday, ice and pain killers. I guess I'll be here after all when the brace shows up today. I've consoled myself all day with the fact that freight is still slow and I probably wouldn't have gotten a load today anyway. Needless to say, both dogs are in the proverbial doghouse.

Sprinter #1
Waukesha, WI to Detroit, MI

Sprinter #2
Bonused to Pittsburgh, PA

Sprinter #3
Mossville, IL to Lansing, MI

Have Tags Will Travel

Managed to get the tags for the Sprinter without much of a hassle. Two phone calls to answer two questions they didn't ask yesterday and it was done. At least the title part. Then had to wait in line again to get the tags since the title work is done by the county and the tags by the state.

While I was standing in line listening to the people arguing with the clerks over one stupid thing or another, I had a brainstorm that I think I will turn into a vanity license plate.

Spell OHIO backwards. OIHO Translation: Oh I Hate Ohio. Fits my state of mind perfectly and I will not hesitate to explain it to anyone that asks.

Freight seemed to surge this afternoon. Boards were moving faster than they have all week. I had Sprinter #1 leave Louisville to come back here to Columbus initially for TAH, but he was only here a couple of hours before a load offer came through. Picks up tonight and delivers Monday. So, he'll get his TAH and a load to start the week as well.

Shoulder continues to improve and I think I can get the heck out of here Monday. The brace hasn't arrived yet, but the wife can bring it to the Expo next Friday if it turns out we meet there instead of here at home.

Sprinter #1

Van Wert, OH to Waterloo, IA

Sprinter #2

Bonused to Harrisburgh, PA

Sprinter #3

Tags in place, ready to go.

Drowning in Red Tape

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate the state of Ohio??? If not, I HATE THE STATE OF OHIO. There, I feel better.

Temp tags on Sprinter #3 expire today. Bank has been looking for the title for two weeks that the aforementioned state said they mailed two weeks ago. Tuesday, the bank works some type of magic and overnights documents to that state so I can get the tags and they can continue their title fight without holding me up.

Plan was to run to the BMV where the docs were overnighted, get the tags, overnight them to the driver, and head out myself. None of that happened.

Knowing that state like I do, I called before going to the BMV and was told that they did not know what I was talking about even though I was talking to the person that talked with my bank on Tuesday. She demanded the tracking number, carrier name, who sent it, and who signed for it. Contacted the bank, got the info and called the BMV back. Oh yes, we have it they said.

I arrive at the BMV. After 5 minutes looking for the docs they said they had, the process starts. Whoops says the lady, we can't issue the paperwork for tags since the power of attorney signed by my son-in-law shows my company as the purchaser. I said the company IS the purchaser. Seems that state is the only state that requires the purchaser to be a person not a company. Then, they issue another POA transferring the vehicle to the company. I seem to remember making a comment that I wasn't surprised that state is that stupid. Result: NO TAGS and I'm still stuck here.

Got a new POA showing me as the purchaser, and I will make the trip again later this morning for the second attempt. I am not very confident of success since it took three trips to get tags for the International.

To add insult to injury, literally, I get home and the shoulder is on fire for some reason. Called the doc to see if he had a brace or something that would help. He asked a bunch of questions, I told him about lifting the tire and he said I probably tore the scar tissue on the tendon. He recommended a brace that I had to order, and taking it easy for a few days to allow it scar over again. Great, I get to sit some more. I guess I'm not losing that much revenue since it's slow. It's just the principle of the thing. I do know that I WILL get those tags.

As I said, it's slow.

Sprinter #1

LEXINGTON/KY FLETCHER/NC 7/15/08

Sprinter #2

WAYCROSS/ GA CLEVELAND/ OH 7/16/2008
CHARLOTTE/ NC FT VALLEY/ GA 7/15/2008

Sprinter #3

No Tags
Driver still sick.

New Mods

Have been home since the 4th taking care of various things. I got the parking brake on the truck adjusted so it pulls more evenly so my shoulder can handle it. Decided to stay home till my B-Day was over and to attend Tri-State's Driver Appreciation Day on the 12th. That turned out to be a good decision since we won 2 brand new Michelin radial steering tires. I'll take $900 worth of free tires any day. Like an idiot, I loaded them by myself and pulled the shoulder pretty bad. Can you say "Stubborn".

One of the other things on the International that has bugged me was the lack of cupholders. It has only one. I found a console the other day that would normally go into a minivan, but I adapted it to fit in the International. I also added a CD player since the stock radio is a cassette. I also found a holding rack for the load bars that I have been moving (much to the chagrin of my shoulder) around each time I load and unload. Pics are below.


CD Player

Console

Load Bar Holder

Freight has been slow as expected due to the auto industry shutdown, but should be picking up soon.

Sprinter #1

RALEIGH/ NC ATHENS/ AL 7/11/2008

RICHMOND/ VA COCKEYSVILLE/ MD 7/9/2008

NO CHARLESTON/ SC CHERRY POINT/ NC 7/7/2008

CHICAGO/ IL CANTON/ OH 7/2/2008

BARBERTON/ OH LUGOFF/ SC 7/2/2008

NILES/ MI TOLEDO/ OH 7/1/2008

LITCHFIELD/ MI LAFAYETTE/ IN 7/1/2008

Sprinter #2

MARION/ OH FLETCHER/ NC 7/11/2008

CLEVELAND/ OH LIMA/ OH 7/10/2008

COLUMBUS/ OH BROOK PARK/ OH 7/8/2008

SHARONVILLE/ OH ENDWELL/ NY 7/2/2008

ADDISON/ IL INDIANAPOLIS/ IN 7/1/2008

Sprinter #3

PEORIA/ IL GRIFFIN/ GA 7/1/2008

Driver has been off sick.

We plan to attend the Expedite Expo on the 25th and 26th in Wilmington, OH. If anyone is near there, come on over. It's free as is the parking. Tons of exibits, the Chrome Shop Mafia will be there, and SNI has a booth as well. Promises to be a good time.

When I Move, I Move

Four loads in less than a week. Not bad. Spent the weekend in Florence, SC as expected. Sent a QC message around 1100 Monday asking to be moved. They came back with Charlotte, so I decided to go.

I only went a few miles before they came up with a load from Lancaster, SC to Lancaster, PA. No, that's not a typo. 3100 lbs of steering rods for Mack truck. Dropped that at 0900 yesterday and shot over to the truck stop at Carlisle before my 11 ran out. There are two other T/S straight trucks sitting next to me, and I'm #2 on the board. The #1 truck has been here all weekend and didn't get out yesterday. Maybe the slowdown has started.

The Sprinters are still busy, so no complaints there.

Sprinter #1

7/1/08
NILES/ MI TOLEDO/OH
SEYMOUR/ IN AUBURN HILLS/ MI

Sprinter #2

6/30/08
DECATUR/ IL LINCOLNSHIRE/ IL
7/1/08
ADDISON/ IL INDIANAPOLIS/ IN

Sprinter #3
7/1/08
PEORIA/ IL GRIFFIN/ GA

International
6/30/08
LANCASTER/ SC LANCASTER/ PA

Shoulder really gave me problems while driving Monday night and I think I may know what tore the tendon in the first place. The parking brake handle on the International is about as hard to pull and set as it is to pull an elephant by his trunk. Now, I'm using two hands while I keep my left foot on the brake. I'm going to take the truck in to the shop on Monday to see if they can adjust the brake shoes in the drum, or lube the cables or something to make it easier.

Thanks to everyone for the comments on the blog. Glad you like it.