Landstar Questions

Ok, Im looking at the load sheet now. The average load is about $1.10/mi but there are a lot of loads paying around $1.25 or more. I cant see the FSC on the copies she sent me. You have to be logged in to the system and click on "Details", but she said most loads have FSC.[/QUOTE]

Are those rates before or after Landstar takes their cut?

 

I'd sure hope after.

 

Are those rates before or after Landstar takes their cut?[/QUOTE][/B] After: (I was stating my cut in the previous post). The load sheets show the actual gross and we get 65% of that (Van), so the load sheet Im looking at has a bunch of loads for $2/mi. 65% x $2 = $1.30/mi. Plus FSC but you have to click on "Details" to make sure the FSC is there and she says (the recruiter) most loads have FSC. There are also a bunch of loads for $1.60/mi x 65% = $1.04/mi + FSC. Now if you go back and read previous posts, theres a member named "overdalimit" who really knows this stuff and he says all loads have FSC and he tells you how to make sure you get it. The load sheet she sent me has hundreds of loads for my area ranging from $1.30/mi gross to $2.15/mi gross, I will be pullin a Van so I get 65% of the gross + FSC!!!

 

On most loads accessorials are figured in the posted rate then broken out. EG: load posted for $3000, $200 permits, $300 tarp, $500 FSC broken out. TTT would be $2,000 x .75 = $1,500 + $200 + $300 + $500 = $2,500. Without breakouts load would pay $3,000 x .75 = $2,250. You are actually only getting 25% of accessorials ie: if FSC is $.40/mile you are actually getting $.10/mile.

 

I still want to see the system in full detail before I make a decision. Talked to a driver today while rolling and he said he was doing pretty good, but had a rough start at it.

 

Has anyone else heard that Landstar is requiring EOBRs on all trucks in the very near future?

 

I personally did better than .90 plus FSC when I was there but here's the thing... In orientation, you will be given a worksheet to figure out your cost per mile. This calculation takes into account your operating costs, such as your truck note, fuel consumption, and a few other known factors that I have forgotten and after this computation you will KNOW how much you need to make per mile to break even from a load. That's very IMPORTANT to know because you won't get that $3.00 load all the time but you need to know what your profitable point is. Now, lets figure out what the load has to pay in order for you to get the .90 per mile figure................... You would need to look at the loads that pay at least $1.41 a mile and then the FSC needs to be extra. Like one of the other posts, I've mostly had loads where the FSC, Tarp, Permits, etc. were in addition (extra) to the posted amount. In all honesty I don't see a reason to book a load that pays less than a dollar plus fuel because to me that is the bottom of the barrell and the industry standard seems to be around .90-.96 per mile. Now my other philosophy is that van freight is not really specialized so the rates wouldn't be as good as a platform trailer, which requires more work....... but I have gotten some really good paying van freight loads because of the destination point/pickup or the fact that it had multiple stops. But my really good loads were the ones where I acted as a LTL carrier and booked multiple loads (space permitting) in the trailer at the same time. I did this ALOT! and it really wasn't a hassle.

My reason for switching to the stepdeck was because of the money. It wasn't that I wasn't making money on the van side but I wanted more money!

I can't speak for what the current LS rates are or the ECONOMY that everyone blames shortcomings on but I'm sure the money is there. You know my .02 is that vans are everywhere! and that is the factor that drives the rate down... sorta like mexicans that hang sheetrock.... it seems that they all can do sheetrocking but very few can do framing....

My advice is to see if you can get into a groove with an agent and work that circle. I delivered in New York oneday and couldn't find any freight out that was worth anything so instead of sitting I went to work for Walmart (Landstar agent) pulling Walmart trailers to the stores (power only). I personally didn't fool around with those cheap loads but I have pulled one that delivered literally in my front door.... When you work the system (load board) you have to be a quick thinker because others are watching the board as well so if you know that you need the loads to pay $1.41 per mile to satisy your needs then your eyes will become trained on that factor... Then you'll get pissed off after booking that load and a $2.00 per mile load will pop up! LOL

and to make it REALLY clear about the FSC..... Fuel SHOULD (in my finite mind) be extra on every load, so that is why I asked that it be taken out if it was inclusive to the rate because I NEED that money ALL to MYSELF! not to the agents bottom line or the 'Mothership'. You have got to be very CAREFUL when booking loads because those extra $$$$ that you get for fuel goes a long way... It was fun for me to get a load and not use all the money for fuel because I just filled up from another load and that fuel helped complete this new run.. But you gotta ask! They (agent) WILL BURN YOU! Remember this ain't the military with that "Don't Ask Don't Tell' crap.... ASK! and sleep with your calculator! because that will be your best friend.. Get that ole' baseline figure (costs per mile to be happy) in your head and use that as a basis for EVERY load that you book... cause once you book it you can't back out because it's not paying enough..

Hope that answered your question cause I sure started rambling again!

 

Not really concerning LS but I think this junk will be in alot of carriers trucks before long.... If you have Qualcom or Aethernet (spellcheck) then they can track you anyway..... adn don'm mention those computerized log systems!

Plus, check this out! those pieces of crap really shouldn't mean anything to you if you're running LEGALLY and making MONEY. I use to laugh at the guys that often said they ran 6000 miles last week and the week before that.... Not saying I ran legal all the time but..... Trucking has us brain washed to believe that we've got to run bookoo's of miles in order to make a living.... that's just my opinion but what do I know!

 

I have to admit....... Someone actually gave me a working password months before I even contacted LS so I was able to see what the loads really paid..... guess it was from GOD! LMBO