Can somebody help me out with Landstar rates in Houston?

Thee is good freight in Houston if you find the right agents. My last 2 flatbed loads to OKC paid 1900 and 2000 gross. Both were light easy loads. There is also cheap crap coming out of Houston. Looking at the load board can be deceiving depending on when you check it, Friday late to Monday mid morning you are looking at leftovers that no one wants, the good loads are only on the boar a few minutes so what you see one time can be completely different 30 minutes later.

 

who are you with now , if you dont mind the question. As RC said Im independent but I have gotten really good rates from LS and would think they could keep you busy in those states but not 100% sure

 

Unless the load is "Landstar trucks only" specified by the customer when it goes out across email alerts it goes to BCO and broker alerts both the same instant it gets posted. Landstar drivers like to think it's all crap freight that goes out to broker. Truth is all of that freight goes out to everyone inside/outside alike. There's good and bad. Landstar agents shop it. The good stuff seldom ever hits a loadboard or alert. If you ever see it and get it you do your best to cover it all the time and make sure it's not out there in the public view anymore.

 

thats the problem w a lot of the companies out here, they will send you out w $4 or $5 a mile but bring you back empty to cover THEIR customers next load , the company still makes money regardless if you do or you dont. I go out like that and if the rate coming back home is not what I want or need, I book a load going elswhere as long as the rate is one that I like and as long as Im only gone 3-4 nights. Once I make my money , I dont like to book "fuel" money or back haul loads, if no one wants to pay what I think is fair, Ill eat the fuel cost and come home empty rather than tie my truck and my time up to make someone else money.

 

It is not just freight that customer want only LS trucks, it is also the agents choice if he wants to broker his customers freight.

As for all loads going to BCO's right now there are 336 flatbed loads posted within 350 miles of OKC, the broker board shows 205 loads.

Texas 336 on BCO board, 205 on broker board.

 

I was with LS till my co driver got disqualified - too many violations. Once I get my own truck, I'll likely go back to them. We were in and out of Texas a lot. Based on your comments, I think you'll do just fine. Picking your own loads is nice but comes with some frustration at times as well. Once you get to know the loads in your chosen area, I think you'll do at least as good financially as you are now. If not, I'm sure your current company will be glad to have you back.