How to Find Smaller Trucking Companies For Owner Operators?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by heysteveh, Aug 31, 2013.

  1. heysteveh

    heysteveh Light Load Member

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    I've been an Owner-Op now for over 3 years at one of the bigger carriers. I am interested in checking out smaller companies as I have heard that sometimes they are better to work for then the MEGA companies. So where/how does one start looking for these? I live in the Phoenix, AZ area. I am also interested in companies that would allow you to choose your own loads, since that is what I have been used to. My experience is pulling 53' dry vans, 48 states & Canada.
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Check Farm2Fleet based in Chattanooga, TN. Choose your own loads. The company has an excellent reputation for 0/0's.
     
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  4. rodknocker

    rodknocker Road Train Member

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    You can get your own authority and pick loads from your cell phone. Should be able to haul without a broker after a while. Big companies take about 30% small companies may take a smaller percentage but get the load from a bigger company that takes a percentage. The loads get all butchered up before you haul it.
     
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  5. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Check the phone book/yellow pages website for trucking companies in your area, or watch and see who the local outfits are, and drop in and talk to them. You may need to look in a couple of different sections of the phone book, such as Trucking Companies, Trucking, Transportation, and similar things. Also watch local newspapers.
     
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  6. heysteveh

    heysteveh Light Load Member

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    Nov 6, 2008
    AZ
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    I would get my own authority right now but Landstar just terminated my lease (to many "incidents" according to their safety dept.) even though I only have 10 CSA points and NOTHING on my CDL (except one ticket that will probably show up in the next few months for "no through trucks" i.e. I took a wrong turn in a small town and got on the wrong road). I figure by the time I got my authority (3-4 wks), then got rolling, it might be 2-3 months before I had some cash flow. I would have to borrow money to stay afloat for anything much over 2 months so I am leery of taking that gamble. What I am leaning toward now is to get on with a company as an o/o for a few months while I prepare myself to go independent. Working for Landstar was a great experience and I loved booking my own loads, etc.
     
  7. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    You can start having cash flow within a week from when you haul you first load if you find a factor or use brokers with quick pay. You can still haul Landstar loads with your own authority. They will pay you within a couple of days from when they receive your paperwork. By the time you apply for your authority and get your IRP and IFTA set up, you could be rolling in 3-6 weeks. There are a lot of carriers to whom you could lease, if that is the way you wish to go right now. You will need to find insurance. That could take a week or so to get proposals. If you don't own a trailer, you will need to buy or rent a trailer or haul for carriers that need power only, such as JB Hunt.
     
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  8. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Landstar just terminated my lease (to many "incidents" according to their safety dept.) even though I only have 10 CSA points and NOTHING on my CDL (except one ticket that will probably show up in the next few months for "no through trucks" i.e. I took a wrong turn in a small town and got on the wrong road).:biggrin_2551: ( DO NOT TAKE THIS AS SARCASTIC JUST AS A FACT ) Not a very good record for prospective carriers.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2013
  9. landstar8891

    landstar8891 Road Train Member

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    deleted.................................
     
  10. landstar8891

    landstar8891 Road Train Member

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    deleted...........................................
     
  11. landstar8891

    landstar8891 Road Train Member

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    You are 100% correct G/MAN..I just called this week and that is what i was told...I just wonder if i use the L/S Comadata card,will i enjoy all the fuel discounts..?..
     
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