Marooned No More! Back In Action!
by
Phil Madsen, Expediter
(Written October 29, 2003. Edited March 17, 2007 for publication on SuccessfulExpediters.com.)
Well, Diane and I have been out of service a full week due to truck repairs. As stated in my previous "Marooned" posts, this is our first bad week on the job since we began as newbie expediters in August. Finally, we are back to work. We will pick up a load tomorrow afternoon in Florida and actually make some money transporting it 800 miles.
The short story is, due to repairs needed on a newer truck our fleet owner provided, and Freightliner's inability to make timely repairs, we lost five to seven days (depending on how you figure the events) of income-earning time. At the same time, being out of the truck increased our on-road living expenses (cab fare, hotel).
We managed to work in two tourist-type events while the truck was down, including a full day at the beach which was simply wonderful. We also completed a good amount of personal, non-trucking work that needed doing.
We are soooo ready to work again. We are also glad we had the reserve funds to get us through this week, and a fleet owner that is willing to pay $2,200 for the repairs. While we made good use of our down time, it is no fun being without a truck.
As far as anyone can tell, the truck is now in near-perfect mechanical condition. The one remaining notable defect is a blown air conditioner hose. It blew with a loud bang in the dealer's parking lot while the truck was idling. Of course, Freightliner did not have the part in stock.
Very tired of waiting, and noting the cooler time of year, we decided to get back to work. We will get the AC fixed later. We have the part number and can call ahead to Freightliner dealers as we make our runs. The first dealer that has the part in stock will get that repair business.
A full unplanned week of not working is more than enough. AC or no AC, it is time to hit the road again. The truck has a generator with its own HVAC system. That will keep us comfortable until the truck's AC system is repaired.
This episode confirms a belief I developed years ago when working as an auto mechanic. It's ALWAYS less expensive in the long run to keep a vehicle in perfect working order than it is to put off maintenance and repairs in hopes of saving money in the short run. It is safer too.
If and when we become owner-operators, I don't care how minor the repair may be or how inconvenient or expensive preventative maintenance may seem at the time, it will be done. Bumper to bumper, everything on the truck will be fully functional and in good repair.
For example, I will not try to get that last ten miles our of a set of brake pads. I will instead have the brakes done a few thousand miles before they need it. I will gladly trade a few extra pad miles for the money saved by avoiding drum replacements, which over-worn pads may require. That happened on this truck. It will never happen on mine.
We lost two or three times the cost of the truck repair in down time this week. Whether you are a fleet owner or owner-operator with hard-working drivers, you will always be money ahead if you keep the truck running.
Diane and I developed the thought this week that owner-operators need to treat their truck like an employee in their business. The truck works hard for you. You have to pay the truck first and give it the TLC it needs to keep plugging along. Be good to your truck, so it will be good to you.