Hotshot Connect Forum :: Difference Between "Hotshot" and Expeditor

Tom Cobb · Site Admin

I received an email from a trucker who had a the following question: What is the difference between "hotshot" and expeditor?? My repsonse follows.

The term "hotshot" comes from the TX, OK, LA oilfields. Many years back the term was coined because of the need for parts to be delivered very fast. Oil and gas drilling rigs are expensive to operate and when one goes down they are willing to pay premium rates for the parts or material to get it back. Pickups with and without trailers were used to move the pipe, parts, drill pipe, etc. to the rig when it was needed.

Today the term "hotshot" is used to identify a pickup with a gooseneck flatbed or a pickup moving RV's, etc. Apparently because they are using the truck for business the term is used. I have heard DOT officers using the term for pickups tranporting anything. It is really a bad term for most folks running pickups for commercial use because very few are hauling anything that has to be delivered fast.

There is not a nickels worth of difference between a real hotshot and an ecpediter. Most pickups are actually hauling LTL freight.

It appears that many are using the term hotshot and expeditor to describe the type of rig rather than the actual type of freight or activity they are involved in. I have tried to promoter using LTL Freight haulers or LTL transporter and get away from the term hotshot except where it really applies. Some drivers are now starting to use something other than hotshot. The DOT needs to change what they use as well.

Tom Cobb

D. Green

I think you are correct on the hot-shot definition.

With the expediters, they evolved to "hot-shot" mostly automotive freight. Thus, their rigs are all "covered" wagons, ie: box trucks & vans. From what I have heard, the term "expedited freight" was coined because it sounded better than hotshot or hot loads.

Phil

That makes sence. I know that FED-EX has an expidite truck fleet of O/O that have just a straight truck with some big flippin sleepers on them. Its custom critical and they really do "expidite" that freight.

Tom is dead on with the term HOTSHOT. I used to drill water wells in AZ. We used a couple of hotshot companies when a drill rig would break. Those boys didnt mess around either. If they were 17 hours away, and we needed it in 12 hours, they would make it happen somehow. I see a few TRUE Hotshots in Western Colorado, but there are alot more over in your guys neck of the woods. OK, TX, etc. I have talked to a couple of the Colorado guys, they do OK these days but nothing I would move for.

bth9461

Very few of my loads are time sensative. Infact most customers go out of their way to say it can be there anytime. They all want the best rate. It seems that the Hotshot term is used to describe a pickup with a F/B Gooseneck trailer, and a Box truck with a sleeper is an Expeditor. Broker's seem to have clasified us this way.

LTL is the more acurate description for the freight.

Brian