Whats of the pros and cons of going with Landstar?

**Diesel Smoke** · 05.26.2012

All the prices are up, its hard to stay independent. I own my truck, and I hear Landstar is good for a O/O. So, what are the pros and cons? As in... any fuel discounts? Can I still pick what I haul? Any home time? Would they provide parts for my truck in the case something breaks? Anything I need that they don't provide?

The truck is a 2007 International 9400i, it as 2 million+ miles on it.
I have,
Cheater bar.
Portables.
Tire chains.
Tools.
Lights and spare cables.
One lumber tarp, one smoke.
As you can see, I like dragging a flatbed. Its a 2004 53 foot Great Dane. But, if needed, I'll drag a van around.

**rwdfinch50** · 05.28.2012

I can't believe nobody has answered your question yet. Must be everybody is home enjoying the long weekend. Hope so. I've only been on with Landstar for less than 2 months so far, so I hesitate to say too much about them for that reason. I will give my observations so far though.
As you will see mentioned in many posts here, there is a learning curve with regards to Landstar. I am learning slowly the processes I need to know to be successful, while running in the freight lanes I wish to run in. I am with the van division. I do not own my trailer. I decided to wait a while, and see what percentage of the loads I haul are drop and hook before making that move.
I also decided to keep an open mind with regards to where I go, with a couple of exceptions. I live in Florida, and I don't want to play with California, or the cheap New England states, and I haven't. I also accept the fact that I will many times have to deadhead out of Florida into Georgia to start my run, as freight slows down here seasonally. I accept that.
So, with all that being said, I have been able to make enough money so far while learning the system to pay my bills and so far I am one month ahead on my truck and APU payments. with another month in the bank waiting. I am confident that if I am responsible with my load planning and spending, with the fuel discounts and other discounts Landstar has arranged for us, I will be able to make a good living while running where I want to run.
Keep in mind, as I said, I am still new here. There is much I have to learn. There are some really good agents, and I have also met a few I would never haul for. Luckily, I have only found a few of this type of agent, and the other posts warn of what to look for to spot them. It isn't hard. It's as easy as telling a professional driver from a bad one.
Hopefully someone from the FB side will get ahold of you to let you know how it is there. From what I see on the load boards, there are some really nice paying FB loads to be had, but having no recent experience with FB, I am only guessing.
So, in the final analysis, Landstar IS a good company to lease on with, you DO pick what you haul, you DO choose your home time. As for breakdowns, I do not know. I haven't needed to ask them for help. Hopefully, I won't have to.
I hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.

**Diesel Smoke** · 05.29.2012

Thanks! Nice to know they have different divisions.

**fireba11** · 05.30.2012

Landstar has over 1000 agents across 48 states and Canada. My fuel savings have been real good, normally .25 cents per gallon off of pump price. As of yesterday there was 25k loads on their load board covering everything from van, step, flat and double drop and RGN.
No one will call you, unless you set up for notifications to do so. You work when you want and go where you want. So far, pulling a step, cheapest load I have had is $2.20 per mile, that is with fsc included.

**Diesel Smoke** · 05.30.2012

Dat pay yo.
All puns aside, I really like that low pay. I'll take it over what some guys offer. DEM LOADS. The load bored at the TA(VA) yesterday... only 67 and they weren't worth looking at. I think I'll consider Landstar over shutting down and selling the truck to pay on the house. Think I'll contact them Friday before I start my trek home.
Thanks!

**starsonwindow** · 06.01.2012

DS If I was you since your truck is Blue!!

I would stick it out, They say the process is about 3 weeks long, I just started my process so we will see, I am only saying the color of your truck is blue just to make you think about what you are doing, I hear that you can do as you please, get in with some of the agents and they will call you to get you loaded, It isn't the norm but I have read on here that there are more loads that are not on the boards then are on the boards that never hit the boards that are given to the chosen few, We just need to get into the "Chosen Few Club"!! Hang in there!!