Who has there own authority

Can anyone tell me if this is a good time to become a flatbed owner operator with my authority.I have five years driving experience and ready to go into business for myself,I don't know much about how to get loads,but I will be doing my research on finding loads...and I think I have enough in the bank to fund my operation,so any help would be greatly appreciated.(thanks,July 31,2911

 

I would recomend you lease on to a company and run for them as an Owner Operator then when you are comfortable with the Owner Operator part look at your own authority. Both are big steps. Maybe one at a time.

 

Yes, I have my authority. I went online to FMSA.Gov, filled out the application, paid the $300.00 with debit card. Less than a week I had paperwork in hand with all the numbers proving I had my authority.

 

How did you get your authority back in only a week? Unless things have changed, the feds must advertise for 2 or 3 weeks that you have applied for your authority and give anyone an opportunity to object. Are you sure that it was not just a confirmation letter that you have paid for your authority and would be a few weeks? You can find out for sure if you go to the safer website and look up your company name or plug in your mc or dot number.

 

The normal time to receive your authority back is usually 4-6 weeks.

 

We are close to the time when flat bed usually begins to slow. Right now there is a good amount of freight. Rates are all over the place. It is sometimes easier to lease to a good carrier than start out on your own. It would give you a better feel of the business. CRST Malone and Landstar are both good with flats as is Mercer. It would give you an opportunity to learn more of what it takes to operate a truck without as much exposure. All of them have a strong freight base. All have some decent paying freight. It usually doesn't take long to lease to CRST Malone or Mercer, but Landstar can take several weeks. There are other carriers who do well with flat bed freight.

You could get your authority and work your way through the learning process. Once you get your authority you can subscribe to some of the load boards and start looking for loads. Most load boards will not allow you to subscribe without first having authority and insurance. If you are a quick learner, you could make it work running your authority. I have known some who have made more leasing to a carrier than they did running their own authority.

 

Use the SBA and OOIDA. Combined they will help you with everything you will need.

 

starting your own company is easy and no need to pay someone else to do it message me if you have any ?"s

 

Well I personally wouldn't call it easy but yes, do it yourself. The Feds took 1 day to complete and 2 weeks later got my authority. Georgia was a hellish nightmare.

 

BTW the paperwork never ends it seems.