Get this blog rolling......add your experience and knowledge

Hey all you wonderful people driving them OS loads from one end of the country to the next! I just requested to be added to a new webring for pilot cars......check it out, it's free to join! I'm hoping that it will somehow reach a multitude of you so that we can get this blog rolling! I was wondering if you could tell me if there's any other Commercial Insurance Companies out there besides http://www.progressive.com that's providing pilot cars with the best coverage needed, and at what cost? I'm learning that there are many new pilot car companies starting up, and this is one of those crucial "tools" necessary in this business. Has anyone had to provide proof of this insurance to any of the brokers or trucking companies?

If you're a broker looking at this, what are your requirements for adding a new pilot car co. to your list of drivers to call? Do you maintain a record that is updated annually? For a new start-up pilot car company, what suggestions do you have for earning your time and effort to keep them working as much as possible? On the other side of that, what are the no-no's that a pilot car company should know when doing business with you?

As the weather is getting colder, this business tends to slow down. What are you pilot car drivers doing that will keep you working as much as possible. What kind of things have you done that will ensure you will make it through the slow time?

I have a poll out now. I'd like for you to take a moment to respond to it. In addition, I'm asking for information as to what a new pilot car company can expect to receive in regards to per mile earnings during this time where the fuel prices have gone down? And, what is the per mile earnings expected for a "seasoned" driver? Let's also keep in mind that some states' brokers have adopted the idea that drivers in the Midwest should consider taking less per mile if they are accepting work from brokers in the East, who may typically accept lower per mile rates from the trucking companies (who may, or may not be from the Midwest).

Anyone who wants to share your experience or knowledge regarding the above detail, please feel free. This is a moderated blog, so lets keep it nice and clean. Thank you, in advance, for your input!

That's it for now....I'll let you know when I get accepted to the Pilot Car Webring. I'm quite sure this will be worthy of your attention and time. Until then.....you all have a safe one going back that way!

The beginning of a beautiful thing......useful and helpful tools

Hello to the wonderful world of transportation! I am adding some links to this blog, and am hoping to get some feedback, so it's Saturday, and if you have time, or even the desire, log on, bring some information and/or tools to help out your fellow OLD friends, otherwise known as fellow escort/pilot car companies, and the wonderful drivers that assist in the safe movement of Oversized Loads.

One of the places that I've found to be very helpful in deciding whether or not to do business with a trucking company hauling OS loads is by going to "yahoo groups" and searching for "pilot cars". There's a few of them that have several members that provide useful information, and include a "bad boys list". This is useful for the pilot car driver to see if they want to work for a "broker", trucking company, or set out on their own, hoping to get the knowledge and experience necessary to provide a great service to the industry that expects the best. You can go to http://www.yahoogroups.com and sign up. You will also be able to sign up under the various pilot car groups to post comments, feedback, your availability, the need for additional cars to assist you in a move, and any other tips or information you may see fit. Keep in mind that you do have to request to be a member in the groups you choose to subscribe to, this doesn't take long, and it is my opinion that you would benefit from joining.

If you are fairly new at this business, you can go to several different websites that will provide great information on several different aspects of this business. One of my most favorite places to go as a dispatcher is http://www.uspilotcars.com. I go there often to find pilot cars to cover loads. They have a lot of other useful information, as well. As a pilot car, you can be added to their lists, so that people like me can find you.

Some of the other sites that you can check out for "advertising" of your business, include, but are not limited to:
http://www.pilotcarmanager.com
http://www.wideloadshipping.com
http://www.pilotcardispatch.com


For my fellow OLDs, as well as the pilot car drivers/escorts, the following links may be useful and helpful, as well.

http://www.pilotcars.com
http://www.1stpilotcarcompanies.com
http://www.pilotcarcompanies.com
http://www.professionalpilotcar.com
http://www.escortcarcompanies.com
http://www.1stpilotcar.com
http://www.1stpilotcarservice.com
http://www.1stamericanpilotcars.com
http://www.1stpilotcarcompany.com
http://www.getapilotcar.net
http://www.allamericanpilotcarservices.com


Below, please find a couple of sites that provide pilot car services, but also, equipment necessary to set up your pilot car vehicle:

http://barneyspilotcar.com
http://www.1stpilotcarsuperstore.com

My hope is to add pics and video of freight that is escorted by pilot cars. I am also hoping to add many subscribers who will provide useful insight, tips, and information to this blog, so that one day, perhaps we can all have one place to go to get the best, most accurate, and up-to-date information necessary to perform to our best abilities.

Should you be one of the first to visit my site, please feel free to share your thoughts and constructive criticism. I welcome your pics, video, etc., and until next time.....you have a safe one going back that way!!

Your friend and fellow dispatcher,

MiMi

Another day in the life of OLD

Today was not unlike any other day. I work from my home, and have a phone on each ear most of the time. I also spend a great deal of time on my computer, completing different tasks. I'm hoping to create an outlet for all of the escorts/pilot car drivers for oversize loads. I welcome pics, comments, ideas, and helpful hints to make this the official blog site for all OLD and for the self-employed pilot cars out there taking on the weather, the road, and the truck driver, in order to provide as much information, breaking news, and content affiliated with the trucking company's we do business with, and the loads that we cover. If you have good or bad information that you want to share, or if you want to just say hello, I welcome the shout out, and will be grateful for constructive criticism. In addition, because I'm not able to run the road anymore, your pics and experiences out there will be so appreciated! I'm planning to provide useful information, as well. For instance, links to various sites for the newcomers, or the folks contemplating this line of work. I used to be running the road - up until I had a back surgery in June of this year. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to stay in the business through assisting with the dispatching of pilot cars. Trust this folks..........it's not a cup of tea, or a walk in the park.....dispatching is a high stress, and very demanding position to be in. Lots of things to deal with, even after the load is delivered. However, I would also like to add that I rather enjoy talking to people all over the country, and I find that most other dispatchers are very kind, considerate, and helpful. We are all busy, most of the time....if not on the cell/home phone, we're on the computer typing invoices, gathering additional information, and faxing off the bills. I do enjoy it, though....just wanted those of you who don't know what's going on behind the scenes to gain a little insight as to what happens once you're dispatched to a pick up point and time.

By the way, if you hadn't figured it out yet.....OLD stands for Oversize Load Dispatcher. How ironic is that? LOL So, in the coming weeks, I would like to challenge you pilot car drivers, and other dispatchers around the country, to provide me with some good stories, some great jokes, and any other information you may have to fill this blog with the greatest details, lending a helping hand to someone in need counts, as well. Tell me about your day, or your week - where did you go? What was the freight you were hauling? Were there any glitches? What were they? What's your favorite place to go, what types of clothing are needed there, and as an escort, what are your experiences, your growing pains, your fondest memories, etc. Do me a favor as you get ready to log off.....send me a note, tell me how I'm doing, and when you'll be returning home safely. In the mean time...........................have yourself a good one going back the other way!