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Carriers Owner Operators

Driver Careers

Route driver careers involve transporting people or items according to an assigned route. If you enjoy driving and being able to travel during working hours, you may want a career as a route driver. All you need are a valid driver’s license, a chauffeur’s license or a commercial driver’s license, and a clear driving record. You will receive training on how to operate the vehicle, safety rules and the route you will be responsible for driving.

Shuttle Bus Drivers

If you want to transport a small amount of people at a time, consider a route driver career as a shuttle bus driver. These vehicles usually carry up to 16 passengers at a time and are used by hotels, airports and car dealerships. If you work for a hotel, your route consists of driving passengers back and forth between the hotel and the airport and assisting them with loading and unloading their luggage. Airports use shuttle bus drivers to pick up passengers to transport them to and from parking lots and the airport.

More route driver careers that involve driving a shuttle bus include tour guides, who take passengers on scheduled routes and answer questions, and working for hospitals that provide transportation for patients. Hospitals employ shuttle drivers to transport patients who are disabled or unable to drive, and you may be required to assist them as they board. Although the salary for this route driver career varies, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary was $21,550 in May 2008.

Package Delivery Drivers

Driving a truck is another route driver career. You can work as a delivery driver who picks up and delivers packages in a specific region along a specified route. You load your truck with packages to be delivered to businesses and households along a certain route and pick up packages and take them back to a distribution center to be shipped. Your duties include handling receipts and payments, and depending on the load, you may have assistance from another employee. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average salary for package delivery drivers was $27,000 in May 2008.

Transit Bus Drivers

Another route driver career involves operating transit or intercity buses. This position requires picking up and dropping off passengers at stops on a designated route and sticking to a schedule. You interact with customers regularly because you are responsible for collecting fares and answering questions about routes and directions. You record your daily trips and submit trip reports, as well as reporting mechanical problems or significant delays in your schedule. As a bus driver, you need a passenger vehicle endorsement on your driver’s license that involves passing a written examination and skills test. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for bus drivers was $34,000 in May 2008.

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Business Owner Operators

Dispute Innacurate Information on your DAC Report Repair

There may be Inaccurate, negative, and possibly damaging information on your DAC Report and you
might not even know it. In some instances this information could cost you money, a raise, or even a job.
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update your DAC Employment History File. We make them prove that their entry and claim is valid. If the
company you worked for fails to verify your disputed claim within 30 days, then this item will be removed
from your DAC Report. Not all trucking companies use DAC services, but the majority of all US carriers
do use this service and reports such information as the dates you worked for that carrier, driver

status (this is the type of driver you were, Owner Op, Company Driver, etc..), lanes you ran
(regional, 48 states, local), and types of equipment and freight you hauled. This information is
basic and just lets your potential employers know what kind of experience you have. The part of
your DAC that has the biggest impact on whether or not a carrier moves further into the hiring
process are the more personalized questions such as Eligibility for Rehire, Reson For Leaving,
Your Work Record, Accident/Incident History, and Drug and Alcohol.

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Business Lifestyle

Job Description of a Logistics Agent

A logistics agent works in a warehouse and handles a company’s shipping, receiving and overall distribution. He also maintains a warehouse, making sure merchandise is ready for delivery and packages are properly handled. He often must operate equipment that assists with distribution by making the process of loading and unloading semi-trucks and delivery vans easier.

Logistics agents are employed by a wide variety of industries. Some handle strictly shipping, some strictly receiving, but most handle both. They have to take great care in handling items, avoiding potential damage or misplacement. Logistics agents also typically keep track of invoices and work with manufacturers and delivery drivers on distribution needs. The majority spend a large portion of their workdays on their feet, receiving, sorting through and arranging packages, preparing them to either be displayed in a store or sent to another location.

Skills
Logistics agents must be highly organized with thorough knowledge of how to operate the equipment used for moving merchandise. That equipment includes forklifts and moving dollies. They must know their warehouses inside and out and possess strong communication skills to relay information about distribution to co-workers, manufacturers and supervisors. Many also need to clean their warehouses, so they should know how to mop floors and stack boxes. On top of those things, logistics agents need the strength to move packages and operate heavy equipment.

Background
Practically anyone can become a logistics agent with the right work ethic. In most cases, only a high school diploma or GED equivalent is required. Other than that, a logistics agent needs to work well alone or as a member of a team, a positive approach toward the job and an ability to follow instructions.

Prospects
Logistics agents belong to a warehousing industry that is expected to grow steadily for the foreseeable future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of warehouse workers is expected to increase by 11 percent through 2018, which is about the average growth rate for all occupations during the same span.

Earnings
Since logistics agents work in such a wide-ranging field, their salaries are likely to differ considerably. Much depends on their experience and overall duties. According to PayScale.com, distribution clerks made anywhere from nearly $23,500 to more than $36,000 per year in May 2010.

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Business Carriers

Measuring Logistics Performance

Logistics, also known as supply chain management, is the study and operation of supplying services or products to places of need. In real-world situations in which time and money are of great importance, it’s often essential for a company or organization to measure the performance of their logistics. However, because of the complex processes involved in logistics, there’s no single way in which to measure how a company is performing in terms of their logistical operations. Instead, there are a number of measurements, each describing the performance from a different angle.

Measure supply reliability. This measurement tells a company how reliable the shipping method is in terms of preserving or maintaining products in their original state. Low measures of supply reliability can indicate improper shipping or packing methods. Calculate this measurement by subtracting the number of defective parts per average delivery from the average number of parts delivered per delivery and then dividing by the average number of parts delivered per delivery. The result will be a percentage indicating the number of parts delivered soundly per each shipment.

Compute the variation in transit time. This metric indicates the reliability of the shipment time. Used in conjunction with basic shipping-time statistics, this metric can tell a company how dependable their shipment method is. Calculate this value by subtracting the minimum transit time for a given period from the maximum transit time for a given period and then dividing by the average transit time for the given period. Lower values for this value indicate better performance.

Calculate the service reliability. Service reliability indicates the number of successful (in terms of providing the service promised) shipments. Divide the number of shipments delivered successfully at most four hours later than promised by the total number of shipments. The result will be a percentage. Percentages closer to 100% indicate better service.

Compute transportation utilization. This measurement shows how well a company is using its transportation resources. Divide the amount of time transportation devices (ships, trucks, and so on) are loaded during transit by the amount of time devices are in-transit regardless of whether they are loaded. The result will be a percentage. Percentages closer to 100% indicate better utilization of transportation devices.

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Carriers Trucker News

Distribution & Logistics Careers

Distribution and logistics are an important part of commerce. These functions control the way products move between the supply source and the store shelves. Without them, there would be a noticeable shortage of goods overnight. It can be a challenging job, but one that offers a variety of positions for many types of background, education, and training.

Distribution Careers
Distribution refers to the network of suppliers, warehouses, freight forwarders and delivery systems responsible for product movement. This includes all aspects of shipping, from trucking companies and railroads to air freight delivery. The final leg of a distribution journey is handled by local delivery vehicles running packages back and forth across town. Products that began as raw materials in a factory arrive in packaging that stock clerks place on store shelves.

Distribution careers cover every aspect of the process. Cargo agents, freight brokers, dispatchers, truck drivers, stock clerks, shipping and receiving employees, and distribution managers all play a part. All require a different level of knowledge and expertise. Consequently, pay scales vary greatly, as does the potential for career advancement.

Educational requirements vary as well. Warehouse workers, delivery drivers, dock hands and stock clerk jobs typically require a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Distribution managers, custom brokers, supply chain supervisors and transportation planners will often require a two-year associate or bachelor’s degree in a related study.

Pay scales start at minimum-wage entry level wages and can reach into six figures for high ranking executives, with profit-sharing, performance bonuses and lucrative retirement programs.

Logistics Careers
Logistics is a term borrowed from military strategy. It refers to the task of placing personnel and equipment at a location on a pre-determined schedule. A career in logistics includes several aspects of routing, scheduling, time management and oversight related to the movement of goods and materials from point of origin to point of delivery.

According to the Education-Portal website, which cites data compiled by the Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech University, logistics and distribution account for nearly half of a company’s marketing budget and more than a quarter of its overall operating costs. Precise delivery of products and materials is key to the survival of any manufacturing, wholesale, or retail business.

Educational requirements include an associate’s degree in applied science or a bachelor of science degree in supply chain management. This kind of background gives you the knowledge and skills to handle acquisition, inventory management, strategic planning of delivery systems, and cost-analysis of logistics operations. Pay scales vary depending on the scope of a company’s business. But these technical jobs generally start at a higher rate of pay than many of the lower-echelon distribution positions.

Career Outlook
A look at the 2009 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics website illustrates the wide range of requirements and career opportunities in distribution and logistics. Annual incomes vary from the low $20,000 range for package handlers to between $50,000 and $65,000 for high-level management and technical positions, such as supply managers and logistics coordinators.

U.S. employment figures from 2009 reflect numerous jobs across the industry. First-line managers alone accounted for more than 200,000 positions. You’ll usually earn more if you work for a Fortune 500 company that handles a large volume of international products and materials. Technical vocations such as logisticians earned a median annual salary of $70,400 in 2009.

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Owner Operators

Become an Owner Operator Trucker

An owner operator is a truck driver who owns his own truck and operates as an independent contractor for a variety of companies. An owner operator chooses his own loads, manages his own schedule and works for whomever he likes. The job can be rewarding financially, if the operator manages himself correctly. It is not for the inexperienced, however. Most owner operator truck drivers have several years of experience working for an established company on a set route before they strike out on their own.

First obtain your CDL endorsement if you do not already have one. A CDL is a commercial driver’s license, an endorsement issued by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). To get a CDL you must take and pass a commercial truck driving exam, which is offered by your state. It includes a written knowledge test and an on-the-road skills test.

Buy a truck. This is an obvious step, but there are many things to consider. First, used trucks cost much less than new trucks. However, they can break down. Research used trucks and search for good deals. Find out which ones (make, model and year) have the best history and least number of problems. Mechanical problems will cut into your earnings, as you must now pay for truck repairs. In addition, consider mileage and load restrictions, as each affects how much you can earn.

Secure a loan through a commercial bank to pay for your truck. You will have to pay a deposit, and have money left in reserve to pay for repairs should the truck need them. In addition, you will have to pay for any modifications that the truck needs in order to take certain routes (for example, special snow tires and cold weather gear).

Locate trucking companies that hire owner operators to haul their loads. These companies take on contractors for set routes, or as fill-ins when they lack available employees to fill the routes. There are hundreds of trucking companies so take your time to research them. Compare their rates and what they pay while you are on the job. Some offer toll payments and allowances for meals and gas. Rates also vary as do the routes the companies offer. Some will be more profitable than others.

Accept loads through reputable companies and begin your owner operator business. Continue to network and find loads to carry in your business.

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Freight Brokers

Freight Brokers Course

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Owner Operators

The Average Pay of an Owner Operator

Owner operators, or long haul drivers, drive vehicles that have a minimum of 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight. They are responsible for hauling various products and goods across long distances by a certain deadline. These truck drivers lease or own their own vehicles. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics groups them in with truck drivers, heavy and tractor trailer. The pay for this field varies with the type of industry and area worked.

Earnings at the National Level

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that these drivers earned a mean annual income of $39,450 and an hourly rate of $18.97 in 2010. Those in the 90th percentile earned at or above $57,480 annually and $27.64 per hour, while those in the 50th percentile earned at or below $37,770 a year and $18.16 per hour. Those in the 10th percentile earned at or below $24,730 a year and $11.89 per hour in 2010.

Earnings by Industry

The postal service offered the highest mean annual salary of $54,040 and $25.98 per hour in 2010. Couriers and express delivery services were paid the second highest mean annual rate of $53,900 and $25.92 per hour in the same year. Spectator sports offered the third highest mean yearly salary at $51,530 and $24.77 per hour. Household appliance manufacturing offered the fourth highest mean yearly pay at $50,920 and $24.48 per hour in 2010.

Earnings by State

The state of Alaska offered the highest mean annual salary of $48,250 and $23.20 in 2010. Nevada had the second highest mean annual rate of $46,470 and $22.34 per hour, while New Jersey offered the third highest at $43,860 per year and $21.09 per hour. Massachusetts had the fourth highest mean yearly compensation at $43,670 and $21 per hour. New York paid the fifth highest with a mean annual rate of $43,380 and $20.86 per hour in 2010.

Earnings by Larger Urban Areas

Fairbanks, Alaska paid the mean highest annual salary of $53,170 and an hourly rate of $25.56 in 2010. Danville, Illinois offered these professionals the second highest mean annual salary of $52,320 and $25.15 per hour in the same year. Racine, Wisconsin paid the third highest mean annual salary at $50,470 and $24.26 per hour. Grand Rapids and Wyoming, Michigan paid the fourth highest mean annual salary at $48,500 a year and $23.32 per hour in 2010.

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Owner Operators

What Is the Average Income of an Owner-Operator Truck Driver?

One of the dreams of many job seekers is to have a job that allows them to tour America and see its many beautiful sites. Some choose to be owners-operators of trucks for this reason, while others choose to drive trucks for the promise of substantial wages. There is more to trucking than simply looking at your potential gross wage when determining if this field is right for you. There are several factors in determining the real wage for an owner-operator trucking professional.

Salary and Benefits Overview
According to the industry’s association, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, the average gross income for an owner-operator was $158,005 in 2008, a time of high fuel prices. Being self-employed, most owner-operators must purchase their own benefits programs such as insurance and retirement, and will only have a traditional vacation by merely choosing not to accept jobs during a planned absence. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the average net wages for a truck driver in 2010 was $18.97 per hour, or $39,450 annually, before overtime.

Computing Net Wages
The same Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association survey explained the difference in owner-operator’s pay discrepancy by discussing the many expenses associated with this occupation. An employed truck driver who drives the truck of his company doesn’t have many of the associated repair and fuel costs that one who owns his own truck has. The gross expenses for a owner-operator trucker during this survey was $117,458. Considering all factors, including tax deductions and other business factors, the average yearly net profit for an owner-operator was $49,711.

Work Environment
Work environment can certainly play into computing the net wages for an owner-operator. If you are willing to drive to any destination with any cargo that meets your commercial driver’s license endorsement criteria, you will likely find more job opportunities than a driver limiting these factors. If you are willing to sleep in your truck’s sleeping compartment, prepare your own meals and research fuel prices, you can significantly reduce gross expenses over a year’s time.

Other Considerations
While no formal education beyond truck driving school is required to be an owner-operator truck driver, if you develop better business skills, either in a college setting or in self-study, you will likely make and keep more money. Learning basic truck maintenance and repairs can also save you a considerable amount per year. Team driving, which allows overnight driving, will also directly affect efficiency income, making this a popular occupation for couples. High fuel prices also play a significant role in the profitability of an owner-operator driver and may lead to tighter competition, driving down income.

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Freight Brokers Trucker News

Truck Broker Salary

Unlike automotive brokers, whose function is to assist buyers when they purchase a new vehicle, truck brokers, often known as freight brokers, help companies arrange shipping services with independent freight lines or owner/operators. Truck brokers also arrange and manage billing and payments for the freight lines with whom they work. Most brokers work on commission rather than on a base salary many are self-employed and their earnings fluctuate with their ability to make deals and the volume of goods shipped in any given period.

Although they may not receive a consistent salary because their earnings are tied to their job performance, truck brokers earn $39,000 annually as of July 2011, according to SimplyHired.com. Brokers who work strictly as agents, handling pickup and delivery scheduling for clients but not assuming billing and payment processing responsibilities, earn smaller salaries because of their decreased responsibilities. Freight agents earn an average annual salary of $34,000, according to SimplyHired.com.

Salaries by Region

Freight brokers who live in large metropolitan areas may expect to earn higher salaries than the industry average. Virtually all cities reporting salary data to SalaryExpert.com earned significantly more than the national average. Freight brokers who work in New York receive the highest average annual salary, $76,349 as of July 2011. Those working in Chicago and Houston also earned some of the largest average salaries, earning $73,381 and $73,173, respectively. Sixty percent of the cities reporting salary data to the website reported average earnings between $54,924 and $60,672.

Commission Percentage

Truck brokers who work for themselves are free to set their commission rates at whatever they find necessary. Rates may be influenced by the amount of competition in their market. Many truck brokers charge a commission of 17 percent for their services, while freight agents often work for an eight percent commission. To earn average salary figures listed by SimplyHired.com, a truck broker would need to book more than $229,411 in freight charges in a year, or a freight agent would need to arrange for $425,000 in shipping fees.

Licensing and Bonding

Because they also handle billing in addition to logistics, freight brokers must be licensed like any other type of broker. To operate as a freight broker, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires brokers to be bonded and licensed. Brokers must receive broker’s authority recognition from the FMCSA and processing agent status. Brokers must also carry at least $10,000 in surety bonds in order to operate.