A Question for Trucking Companies

I would like to add just a small detail to what Mr.Hollywood's stated.
He is 100% correct. Corporate America,These larger carriers,(Non-union irregular route) are concerned about their bottom Lines only.

I hate it when I see the unknowledgeable buy equipment on a second mortgage then LEASE it on with existing carriers strengthening THEIR(carriers) customer base..It kills me when I see this because you are falling in their business trap. Even though you just invested $200,000 on a truck and trailer, You are scrap just like anyone else. that should Bother you, It surely would do me.

Secondly,If you truly have it in your heart to become an "owner-operator" Do it the right way..

Have a business plan in mind,Secure your own outbound freight consistently, (And inbound too if you can) Leave the 3pl's alone.They are strategically educated to protect their bottom lines too, They don't care about you.

While Mr.Hollywood and myself will get much grief from these postings...its the truth.And until truck drivers-Independent operators start organizing a smarter approach in business..The vicious circle of being "used" will continue.

 

5 years ago Transam had 1100 trucks
they have 40-50 people in orientation every week
5 years later they have 1100 trucks
40-50 people in orientation every week
70% of the fleet is l/p
seems to me that means 40-50 quit each week
yes by all means please lease a truck
it is the fastest way to nirvana
sorry if i sounded rude or condescending ealier

 

I only gross $1350 for a 5 day work week
with company paid health insurance
I must go L/P a truck
where do i sign up

 

Probably not a good idea, since by your own admission you're a failure as businessman.

 

the goverment slashed the swordfish quota so it became unprofitable to proceed
and i had a son contract leukemia at 21 spent $350000 cash on exotic treatments trying to save him
but yes after that I failed

 

Key Word "Control"

Too many 'assume' when they lease onto a carrier that they operate their truck to substantiate their weekly earnings..It doesn't work that way..You are at the carriers mercy

For instance, Lets say you lease a truck to,..hmm Lanstar, And they simply dont have freight.or its slow, They wont suffer. YOU WILL. Why? because their name is on the side of YOUR truck, They control your outcome of earning potential....I couldn't operate a business like that. My Truck = My way.I dictate customer volumes in good times and bad, not someone I dont know, cause they can care less whether you sit or not

if its slow I'll be the one to justify that. Not others.

Once people realize this (as the other poster suggested) They end up breaking the lease because the income does not cover fixed and variable expenses...

are there success stories becoming a lease operator? Probably, But Ive yet heard of anyone leased on with someone that has paved their way to a financial bloom.

 

leasing onto a carrier and lease purchase from a carrier are 2 different animals. I recommend any new O/O lease onto a carrier for a lil while to get his feet wet as an owner
working load boards isn't for everyone.
Betting the farm on a carrier more then happy to lease you a truck to run for them exclusively is a recipe for disaster

Like everything else in life the devil is in the details