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Searching for the best expedite company to lease to
By Linda Yates, The Expediter’s Consultant

Expedited trucking is primarily an owner operator niche market. Individuals who have been driving a big rig tractor-trailer for years often look to expediting for a change of pace enabling them to earn a living with a single axle vehicle which can be more economical, easier to maneuver and less of a hassle to operate.

Expediting offers a very unique opportunity however it is a very challenging and fluctuating business. This is because by dedicating yourself to primarily hauling emergency freight and specialized loads you will see more of a swing in freight volumes based on many factors such as seasonal consumer spending, military operations, political campaigns, mother nature, manufacturing trends and the automotive industry. 

A question many people ask is “Which is the best expedite carrier to lease to?” The reality is in this industry it’s not a case where “one carrier fits all.” The good part about that is while one carrier may not be the best choice for someone else it may be a good fit for you based on your personal profile and business goals. The bad part is if you don’t know enough about the expediting business and you don’t properly qualify a carrier before you start you may find yourself jumping from carrier to carrier in an attempt to find one that fits your needs.

As an owner operator when you choose a carrier to lease to you are essentially securing one of the most vital assets of your business. If you ask yourself the right questions while planning your new business, that will guide you as to what you need to ask and find when searching for the best carrier for your business. Here are some of the most important things you must ask yourself before you start:

• ¨     Currently what amount of guaranteed income do you need each month to support yourself and your family?
• ¨     What additional income do you need to cover the estimated fixed and variable monthly expenses for your business?
• ¨      Do you have enough funds put away to support your family and cover your fixed business expenses for at least for a few months in case you become ill, freight is scarce, your equipment breaks down or you experience other misfortunes?
• ¨     How long do you want to be away from home?
• ¨    Consider the part of the country where you live. Areas with small populations, limited manufacturing and few industrial plants do not offer the volume of expedited freight opportunities as other populated areas. That means whenever you go home more than likely you will have to deadhead to a different location to get a load out. Have you accounted for these empty miles in your business plan and cash flow budget?
• ¨     Where do you or don’t you want to run? Coast to coast; western region; east of the Mississippi; New England, Canada, Mexico, etc.
• ¨    What size vehicle do you want to drive? Mini-van, super-sized van, cube truck, straight truck, tractor-trailer and do you have any previous experience operating that type of vehicle?
• ¨     Are you qualified to haul hazardous materials, international freight and government-classified loads?
• ¨     Do you want to be assigned to an area to wait for a load or would you rather decide where to go on your own?
• ¨     Do you want the flexibility to be able to trip-lease? (Do trips under your own authority or another carrier’s authority) ¨     Will you be running as a team or single?
• ¨     What is your expectation of income weekly, monthly and annually?

Once you figure out your business profile, then you can seek out a carrier that fits your criteria. Here are key questions that you will want to ask a carrier which will help you determine which is the best carrier for you:

• ¨    Do they have a load refusal policy? (most expedite companies do not have forced dispatch however may have a policy regarding load acceptance %).
• ¨   Where are their primary freight lanes?
• ¨    Do they allow trip leasing and what is their policy as far as displaying their company signs on your vehicle (Other than those mandatory by DOT)?
• ¨    What % of their loads are automotive?
• ¨    How many vehicles are currently in their fleet and what sizes?
• ¨    How many team vs. single contractors are currently in their fleet?
• ¨    Average # of loads dispatched per day? (For slow period & during peak season).
• ¨    Would you be required to apportion all 48 contiguous states and Canadian provinces?
• ¨    Would you be paid by the mile (all miles or loaded miles) or are you paid by percentage of total charge to customer?
• ¨    Would you be paid 100% of fuel surcharges and accessorial fees?
• ¨    Would you be paid a premium based on your qualifications (F.A.S.T., Hazmat, DOD, etc.)?
• ¨    When would you receive your pay for the loads you haul (weekly, bi-weekly, etc.)?
• ¨    If you haul a load smaller than your vehicle classification which rate will you be paid? (For example if you have a straight truck or tractor-trailer and you haul a van load are you paid based on the load size or your vehicle size).
• ¨    What is the fleet average annual loaded miles for each size vehicle?
• ¨    What is the fleet average pay per ALL miles for each size vehicle?
• ¨    What is the fleet average deadhead % for each size vehicle?
• ¨    What is the average number of loads per contractor per week per size vehicle and single vs. team?
• ¨    What is the carrier’s policy with regard to deadhead miles - (Is there any compensation)?
• ¨    What is the policy for compensation on loads that are canceled at the pick up or in route to the pick up?
• ¨    Does the carrier have any means to help you find backhauls (loads back to their primary freight lanes) when you deliver to a desolate area?

Bare in mind even if you choose the best carrier out there for you, if you are not mentally and financially prepared to enter a career in expedited trucking it could become a stressful and fruitless experience. By learning how to run a business, understanding the nature of expediting and setting adequate expectations based on your own situation, you will be able to choose a carrier whose operations fit within your business plan. 

• Linda Yates, The Expediters Consultant, is a veteran expediter and since 1999 has been teaching current and potential drivers the business of expediting. If you are interested in learning more about expediting you can contact Mrs Yates at 330-630-3129 to schedule a consultation session.

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