You scare me ... I don't have driving experience within last 3 years for 18 months, i'm planning buy as non-driving owner, and to be backup driver, but this is take same time I understand .. what can happen if I lost few drivers in first few month? how easy find driver? I know it take at least 2 weeks to teach him, on terminals have any backup drivers?
Not trying to scare you. Just presenting the facts. I don't believe that you can drive even though you are the owner without the experience. Someone can correct me if I am wrong but my partner does not have the experience and cannot drive. She deals with the management and all calls from fedex. I did or used to train and be back up driver. I drove saturdays during holiday rush and monday after thanksgiving, all I pretty much do now
Let me give you a scenario.
Driver "A" is kind enough to give you two week notice ( only 1 out of 3 I trained did this, other two bastards sent a text saying they quit on Sunday night).
You place an add on craigslist. You interview and hopefully find right candidate with no tickets and accidents that passed background check, LOL, has driving experience within last 3 years and passes driving test or actually knows how to drive a stick shift, Laughing to myself lots don't, only automatic. This process takes a minimum of two weeks, then you need to spend two weeks teaching them a route. If your route does over 100 stops a day than add another two weeks as most contractors don't throw a full route at a new driver unless they want them to quit. So you may be driving the route for a month or more.
Also, be prepared for the guys to ask you for a raise within a few weeks of taking over, if not , be prepared for them to hold you hostage. The success of this business rests entirely in the hands of the driver. I don't give a rats ass if your magna cum laude from Harvard University in business management. The drivers own the contractor if your management skills are sub par.
Honestly, please listen, ask terminal your interested in to introduce you to a contractor you can drive around with for a few weeks. Keep your eyes and ears open. If you were to find this, most likely management will have one of their own take you under the wing so don't believe everything you hear. BTW, what was gross last year or this year to date and what are they asking for the routes. Rule of thumb is 1.5 to 2 times NET earnings plus value of trucks. We get contractors trying to sell there routes and 99% of them pull a number out of their ass with nothing to support their valuation and how they came up with that number besides pulling it out of a hat.
Final advice: Do your due diligence. Good luck