Landstar Questions

I have a question I would like to have answered. I know it's up to the BCO to book his own loads and do his planning for himself. I am o.k. with this, as I will then have the freedom to go in a direction I may feel like going in in a particular week. But, lets take this week for instance. What would the fuel surcharge be on a load from Jacksonville to Philly, and also on a load from Jacksonville to Dallas?
Regardless of how much a load pays, if the surcharge isn't sufficient, then the rate per load may not be enough. Does anyone know what the fuel surcharge at LS is based on, what formula is used?
Thanks for the answers.

 

Depends on if the customer has a pre-agreed to FSC or if it goes off of the Landstar Ranger weekly FSC Index. The agents have an index inside LandstarOnline that gives us what the Ranger FSC for the week is.

For instance, this week its $.47/per mile or 29% of the linehaul nationally.
East Coast is $.51/cpm
Rocky Mountains is $.46/cpm
West Coast is $.50/cpm

This changes weekly based on the price of fuel nationwide.

Every BCO that knows what they're doing wants it a different way. Some want cpm...some want percentage of linehaul. In my experience, the 29% of the linehaul comes out to be more. Here's a breakdown.

Load pays total of $2087.4 on 994 miles from Jacksonville to Dallas. Hypothetical load only.

You take 2087.4/1.29 = $1,618.13 x .29 = $469.26 for your FSC. So you'd get all of that + 65% for the box linehaul which would equate to $1,051.79 for a grand total of $1,521.05 or $1.53 a mile. Again...HYPOTHETICAL LOAD ONLY!

Hope this helps...

 

Thanks, it is a help. I'm glad California is 3 hours behind Florida so you're online. I was at the truck dealers today and got an idea of what I want, and I already pretty much decided on Landstar, so tomorrow I'll be calling Jacksonville to start the process. I have over 30 years experience and a clean record, so qualifying shouldn't be a problem.
I took the winter off to enjoy the Florida weather, cause who wants to play in the snow if we don't have to? I think I just don't want to go back to being a company driver again. I used to own my truck, and I know what it takes to succeed. It seems like with Landstar, taking my time and getting through the "learning curve" with regards to the internet load board is key to making it a success.
So, wish me luck. Maybe before too long we'll meet out there on the left coast. I have plans of starting back to work around April 1st., so it appears that the "long" approval process to get approved won't be a problem. Thanks again.

 

I wouldn't live on the left coast if they paid me! I live in good 'ole Nashville, TN. Look forward to you getting on. If/when you do, look us up and let me know.

 

WOW---talk about a brain fart! I could have sworn I saw you post that you had loads from California, and I wrongly assumed that you lived there. Sorry. But in my own defense, I am a truck driver. I stay between the lines and don't hit nothing, and I get a pay check. What can I say.
Takes me back to what my dad said what happened to people who assume. He used to tell me to spell the word, then say, "see, when you assume, you make an ### out of u and me."
Sorry about that. I stand corrected. Besides, Nashville is better. I'll probably get through there a lot. I look forward to meeting you. Thanks again.

 

On the rate you quoted above, the BCO would be money ahead taking .50 cpm, or $497.00, as compared to $469.26.

 

Well actually it would be .51 cpm since it originated from the east coast, but you are correct. They would be money ahead that way.

 

Landstar isn't cracking down on compliance like they used to. I had a load which was stopped at the CA state line and rejected by the dept. Of Agriculture and LS directed me to ignore the law and deliver the load. Next a flatbedder was hauling vats of hazmat without a tanker endorsement and LS let him deliver the load knowing he was illegal. Now they have been letting BCO's violate CARB requirements in CA by facilitating a Dray-Off location for dirty air non port compliant trucks. In all of these instances LS has let the BCO knowingly violate the law and done so with the intention of cutting the BCO loose if caught claiming that the BCO knew better and made a business decision to break the law. In some cases the BCO relies upon LS for guidance and that is a mistake. All BCO's should no longer rely on ANY information being presented to them by anyone at Landstar and this includes agents. CoverYourA BCO's! When in doubt call OOIDA.

 

An owner operator or driver should know if they are legal to haul a load or not. You should know if you need a hazmat or tanker endorsement if you hold a CDL. I would be surprised if Landstar allowed any BCO to haul a load that they knew was illegal. In any case, it is the BCO or driver to know if what is is doing is legal or not. CARB rules seem to change with the wind. The best thing would be to stay out of California if you are concerned about it. Landstar looks at BCO's as business partners, not as employer and employee. They expect you to know your limitations. If you knowingly break the law then the responsibility is on you, not Landstar.

 

one thing I will say and agree with is LS. is ALL over compliance, BCO's oh wait a minute we are now 3rd party providers, anyhow LS. watches their compliance ratings very closely, over the years I have had agents that will try to get a BCO to do something stupid in fact just this morning was offered a load that with deadhead was over 700 miles and wanted it delivered straight thru.
If I would have accepted it,it would have been on my head not that agents and if caught it would have been my contract pulled and rightfully so.
the problem is the agents can do what they want without repercussion, and I have seen some real doozies over the years, so its incumbent upon the BCO to say not only no but OH HELL NO when asked to do something stupid, because it is the BCO not the agent that will pay the price.