besides schneider and landstar

Well something isn't adding up. I spoke for a long time with the lady at schneider about this choice program where you dispatch yourself. she said it was mostly short runs that paid more per mile. she also said that program had been in effect since 07 but was slow getting started because they had a lot of problems connecting the loads with drivers wanting loads. I ask her several questions and she answered all. I feel pike she was honest. still its schneider. I feel like schneider and swift both are sitting in the same boat they are basically training companies and not long term career choices. still like I have discovered out here most people will lose money to forgo a little work and effort to get themselves into a better situation. I hate being dispatched. this said I don't feel like I would be a great dispatcher. still freedom from constantly being told where to go and what to do is what I'm looking for.
I don't feel like schneider is for me . good luck to you though .

 

I don't understand why anyone would choose to stop running for percentage to go to mileage which pays less. Having leased to carriers in the past that pays percentage, I have always done better on percentage than I could on mileage, even with deadhead. The last carrier that I leased to on percentage my deadhead was just under 10%. I averaged $1.66/mile to the truck, including deadhead, and that was several years ago. Schneider does have some good paying freight. I know because I have hauled some of their brokered freight over the years. It may take a little more effort to find better paying loads when you run percentage, but you are in business. If you want to make more money it usually comes at a price.

It does take more effort when you need to look for your own loads. You must be proactive. I requires a little more planning ahead. You will do some sitting, no matter whom you lease. It is just the nature of this business. Keep in mind that when you are sitting you are not putting wear and tear on your truck. Personally, I would rather sit for a day to get a good paying load than take something that only covers my fuel costs. If there is nothing worth hauling, I will deadhead to a better area rather than haul for fuel. But, that is just me. No more than what most of these carriers pay on mileage you are usually better off getting rid of your truck and going to work as a company driver. When you are paid mileage there is no reason to not go to any area. You are paid the same no matter where you happen to go.

When you own a truck you are a businessman. I think that many who are able to buy a truck don't think of themselves as businessmen. They are stuck in the company driver mentality. They still think of themselves as a driver who owns a truck.

 

It isn't what you gross but what you stick in your pocket at the end of the week or month that is important. Just because you run a lot of miles doesn't necessarily mean that you are making money. Cash flow also doesn't necessarily mean that you are making money. Just out of curiosity, what are you making per mile with Schneider?

 

I did notice the loads were shorter but thought that was luck of the draw
I like running water to water
The program isn't very popular in the west and I was told it was new
In 07 I was under my own authority hauling reefer been at Sni # a year so I still don't know it all

Sounds like your fit would be somewhere else. I have 2 buddies at landstar , they love it
If you don't like eobrs go with a fleet less than 100 or your own auth, as new legislation will require eobrs on all fleets over 100 here soon
.. and good luck !

 

I still can't figure out why so many guys run under a mileage based lease...

Typical load... 1/5/11 Rhinelander, WI to Ft Wayne, IN paid me $1099.98.

Next load was 1/7/11 Martin, MI to Ft. Wayne, IN paid me $737.39 (on 150 miles).

Then I got paid .58 cpm ($375.00) to deadhead back to WI.

Mercer has a great flat/stepdeck deal but forget making any serious $$$ with their van division as they simply do not have enough profitable freight to keep you busy.

 

Any of the above mentioned companies that utilize teams ?? I talked with Landstar and they don't have alot of team freight. Then I got with a Landstar driver and asked him questions about the load board. He said most of the good freight is handled by the agents (??) and only the leftovers get placed on the load board. He says its imperative to have a good relationship with an agent and they can keep you busy but it takes months to settle in and get with a good agent.

 

All of LS's AA&E is team required.

 

How do you get to AA & E ??? I talked with Darla in recruiting and she never mentioned AA&E ... just mentioned there wasn't much demand for teams !!!!!?????

 

Do you know what AA&E is?

 

Anyone have experience with mercer van ? I knew a guy who lost his truck but he wasn't a smart business man .. others seem to do ok .. there flatbed seems to be only about 1.50 a mile, I flatbeded before that's a lot of work for the same rate as van ... those where the rates I was quoted anyway