Newbie with an "IF" question.

Little History.
I have been lurking this board trying to find the answer to my question,but can not find a situation the same as mine. I got my CDL about 2 months ago...i am 40 years old. I have a current full time job during the week and i am pulling a lowboy for a good friend of mine on saturdays as needed. I am hauling tractors and equipment. I know how to winch broken tractors onto the trailer, know how to strap them securely, and know how to properly back into tight spots to get/recover them. I have my own farm and have been pulling cattle for several years (dually with a 24-36 foot cow trailer). So i would say i have a little bit of farm boy/redneck common sense with equipment.

Here is my "IF" question situation.
I am wanting to buy my own truck and become an O/O. I am wanting to pull flatbed in the Florida, Georgia and Alabama area. I have the finances to buy my truck and trailer, get my insurance, pay all taxes and tags and keep a good chunk in the bank for operating expense. My big "IF" question is can I get loads off of the load boards with as little experience as i have. I have been looking at the Landstar load board and if I am reading correctly they will not even look at you with less than 2 years OTR experience. Is this bypassed if i carry my own insurance? Several other companies are the same with the experience years 6 months to 2 years. I want to be independent as possible and pick and choose what loads i take. Just wondering can this be done.

 

MNdriver....thanks, i have been searching this board for over a month now typing in everthing i thought would bring up an answer, make a newbie post and one shows up...LOL. I have been playing on massage boards for years(not this one) so i know how important it is to SEARCH. I join and make my first post and BAM, another one just like it shows up.

DEMO....really wanting to be home everyday or at least every other day if possible. That is the only reason i am wanting to stay around this area.

I will be watching the post above, but any other input from anybody would be greatly appreciated.....can no thave too much info. THANKS.

 

DEMO....I am not wanting to take the cheap loads, just want to make a good living working for myself. I do not mind working to begin never have been bothered by a little work...i know that is what pays the bills. just wanting to be able to say, yes i will take this load because i can make good money, or no i dont think i will. Did i mention i have worked for the same company for 19 year, LOL.

i have been looking at the Landastar board a little and that is what i am wanting know about. Being i have no experience and i think they are requiring 2 years to lease with them i was wondering if i had all of my own credentials(mainly insurance which seems to be the biggest problem) would they turn me down or could i get loads from them. I have not checked out Mercer yet. Thanks for your input....greatly appreciated.

MNdriver...thanks for the input. Not really wanting to get into any snow storms at this time if possible,lol, but i understand that is where the money is. kinda wanting to stay a little closert to home...which is liable to change in time. Thanks.

 

Thanks Demo, this is what i was wanting to find out. I am planning on going with my own authority, just did not know how it worked being i would not have any experience, but would have their load insured. is this what they are talking about being a BCO?? or is that a different ballgame?