When we first started expediting in 2005 we immersed ourselves in our new profession as team drivers and we learned all that we could. As we pulled into a truck stop or to a customer we scanned the area looking for expediters. If an expediter was there we approached them and asked if they had time to answer questions, we asked:
How long have you been expediting?
How do you secure your freight?
How did you learn to sleep on the road?
If a FedEx driver in a dry box:
Which areas are good for freight?
Do have tips for someone starting out?
This is just a sample of the questions asked and if they were agreeable we offered to buy them a tea or coffee so we could pick their brains. We learned many tips this way and we put it all to good use and we have shared that knowledge over the years through blogs and posts on different trucking sites. We have met many fascinating people over the years and still thank them for sharing their knowledge.
This involvement becam
e building blocks not only in the expedite industry but in the truckload carrier segment. As the saying goes the harder we worked the better our luck. We found that as we gained knowledge, our opportunities increased not only in load offers but our involvement in many events. The load offers improved as we learned the good and bad areas for freight. We also worked hard at developing a professional manner and means of performing our freight handling responsibilities. We believe in the concept of paying it forward so we enjoy sharing as much as we can though internet posts, blogs, workshops, seminars and one-on-one personal interactions. We also enjoy responding to questions from veteran and aspiring expediters. We have found that we are still asking a lot of questions ourselves and we often learn something new with each interaction of drivers.
Our public exposure has brought some unexpected attention to our involvement in the industry. We have been invited to tour the Bandag Tire Facility in St Louis, Detroit Diesel plant in Redford, MI and the Freightliner assembly plant where the latest Caffcadia was built. An additional benefit that we have enjoyed is being asked by some manufacturers of truck equipment to use and critique their equipment on our trucks; we have been honored to do so.
As we learned we became even more absorbed in all of the trucking industry including regulatory affairs and how the guidelines affect our daily lives. Once I found myself complaining about an organization and I was quickly told if you don’t like what is going on then get involved and so I did.
As time went on we have found that we are totally consumed by the trucking industry and this fits our addictive personalities to a "T". The downside of all of this is there is no getting away from our involvement and commitments. If we go on vacation we must always think ahead as we have blogs and articles due and this must be planned and executed so not to miss a deadline. When we are sitting waiting for a load we are both working to get ahead so that we can run as hard as possible hauling freight, which is our main source of income.
All of this dedication pays off in ways that suits Bob and me. Instead of going home we attend truck shows and other events, show our truck, or work in a booth. Both of us have found we enjoy meeting new people and talking about our expedite niche. During the day we often have conference calls and on some days more than one call. These conference calls are the same as listening to the radio as many do not require us to speak only to listen and to learn. Some conference calls we are involved in and these are much like talking to a friend on the phone.
In order to keep up with all that we are involved in requires organization and our personal priorities. We do not have a TV in the truck nor do we have one at home as we have found that the distraction of the TV keeps us from meeting deadlines. For us this is fun and after raising our girls we are having the time of our lives.
Our motto is "Work Hard Play Hard".