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Looking for a Mentor. OTR based out of CA

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020.

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  1. Aug 17, 2020 #1
    OSTI1

    OSTI1 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 17, 2020
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    Hey guys. Been reading the boards the a while piecing together info. Long story short, bought a OTR truck and reefer. Dad couldn’t be an OO so I had to form an S Corp. My brother is my partner, neither of us have experience in the industry but my dad has 35 years experience only as a driver. We’re running under the old truck owners authorities right now until end of September when ours will be ready to run. He uses a freight broker out of LA that pays next day, charges 3.5% and gives you their fuel card which has been ok for the previous owner as an OO but were barely making enough to stay afloat (which we knew the first few months would be like that since there’s start up costs). Dads currently sitting in Vero Beach with no load back West even though you know there’s loads out there. ‍♀️ Guess that what happens when you only have 1 broker (worked for the last OO, not necessarily what we want because we obviously wouldn’t be sitting)
    Looking for:
    A. Info on using freight brokers with a fuel card vs using own fuel card and using multiple brokers.
    B. A mentor. I’m just a girl trying to help her 54 year old dad earn a decent living. We want to eventually grow where he can retire but there’s a lot I don’t know and I’ll be ###### if we went down without a fight.
     
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    #1
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  3. Aug 17, 2020 #2
    Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    be a company driver until you figure the o/o part.
     
    Numb, Aug 17, 2020
    Numb, Aug 17, 2020
    #2
    bryan21384 and 88228822 Thank this.
  4. Aug 17, 2020 #3
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Before everyone start saying bad thing about getting into truck and not knowing everything. It's hard business to make money. You could try running a triangle, look to see were the good paying load back to LA are and maybe you get a load to that area from Florida. I run for Landstar and getting to LA was always the hard part. Even Landstar would tell us don't go to Florida because is was so hard to get out. Everyones is looking for that next great paying load.

    You could lease your truck onto someone like Landstar and they have fuel cards and their own agents/brokers. Schneider and Mercer all kinda have a system you can run in and get their freight.
     
    Brandt, Aug 17, 2020
    Brandt, Aug 17, 2020
    #3
    OSTI1 and rachi Thank this.
  5. Aug 17, 2020 #4
    Gdog66223

    Gdog66223 Road Train Member

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    Coal Town
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    I will give you an honest opinion, when I got my authority I had to fight tooth and nail to get decent freight. I can see this being your problem whenever you do activate your authority. Reefer is tough animal because theres lumper fees, many nights spent driving, hours waiting at the dock, insurance claims so its not easy.
    I'd take pictures of everything and get a data logger if you don't already have one.

    Oh and get rid of that guy that charges 3.5% to get paid next day.
     
    Gdog66223, Aug 17, 2020
    Gdog66223, Aug 17, 2020
    #4
    OSTI1 Thanks this.
  7. Aug 17, 2020 #5
    OSTI1

    OSTI1 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks. I know Landstar was one we were interested in. Dad can’t handle money otherwise he’d be OO, but if he has a dollar he’d somehow owe you $2. By any chance, do you know if Landstar leases to S Corps?
     
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    #5
  8. Aug 17, 2020 #6
    Gdog66223

    Gdog66223 Road Train Member

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    You run under Landstars authority.
     
    Gdog66223, Aug 17, 2020
    Gdog66223, Aug 17, 2020
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    OSTI1 Thanks this.
  9. Aug 17, 2020 #7
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    They will lease anyone on that meets their safety requirements. I think all you need was EIN number from the IRS. They didn't care about someone have a S Corp or LLC. That was all up to you how you did you own taxes. I don't work for Landstar anymore. The rates per mile were pretty low back then. They take like 35% of the load pulling their trailer. Rates are better today I guess per mile so maybe is more easy but I never made much more then a company driver after paying all my bills. It was fun picking my own loads and home time.
     
    Brandt, Aug 17, 2020
    Brandt, Aug 17, 2020
    #7
    Jarhed1964 and Gdog66223 Thank this.
  10. Aug 17, 2020 #8
    OSTI1

    OSTI1 Bobtail Member

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    Yeah. I’m definitely in the market for a new broker or brokers. Nothing wrong with having options. This Florida to CA route isn’t favorable for the time being.
     
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    #8
  11. Aug 17, 2020 #9
    OSTI1

    OSTI1 Bobtail Member

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    Aug 17, 2020
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    We have our own reefer. It’ll be worth a look.
     
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    OSTI1, Aug 17, 2020
    #9
  12. Aug 17, 2020 #10
    Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    Landstar did not have much of any reefer load. The had dry van and flat bed and specialized stuff
     
    Brandt, Aug 17, 2020
    Brandt, Aug 17, 2020
    #10
    OSTI1 Thanks this.
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