Introductions...

Lots of questions and I try to answer a few. Yes, freight is down. According to our CEO's prediction, this year will be the opposite of last year. Meaning the first half of this year will be slow and pick up in the second half.
Freight almost always picks up at the end of a month and quarter. Shippers want those products off of their books at the end of the month or quarter. Also, there are usually more loads available on Mondays and Fridays, than on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

You can always ask for more money on a load, but that doesn't mean you will get it.

Have you been to CABS class, yet? If not, I suggest that you both go, since you are involved, also. LS will pay for one night at a motel and give him $250 for attending. The morning safety class is mandatory. The afternoon business class is not and few stay for it. I suggest you both attend it, as a lot of good business ideas are discussed.

Go to landstaronline and click on the Info button, then click on BCO Tools and Resources. There is plenty there to help. Also, on the homepage there is a notice for a webex, next Thursday 2/14/13 on how to work on developing relationships with agents. All this stuff is free, to us.

 

Yes, things are slow right now. Sometimes you have to be creative. My wife and I run team with a company SD. Our lightweight is 37,500 so we don't take anything over 40k. Being out of Charleston I hope ur step has at least a 40 ft bottom and container locks as you can probably haul some containers out of their or Savannah with that set up.

It never hurts to call on a load listed for a 48 ft flat, often times a step will work. As you deal with different agents you will compile a "Do not haul for list" There are good agents and there are shady ones, you have to learn the difference. Join the BCO Forum http://bcoforum.com/forum/ and get on the Landstar Ranger 2 Facebook page, this will help with networking with other drivers and agents.

Sometimes you can ask for more money! Recently I got a rate up from 3.61 to 4.00 per mile to help cover my deadhead expense, so it doesn't hurt to ask sometimes. I have yet to run into any problems with the posted weights not being correct or in the ball park. This shouldn't be a issue for you as most SD freight isn't that heavy unless you get into oversize.

I can't say when freight will pick up but I can tell you that last summer we ran real good so your husband should plan any vacations around this time of the year and be available in the summer.

 

Believe me when I say, we're feeling the pinch too. Freight is just slow right now. January was a decent month, but so far February has been a BUST. March and April will likely slowly start to pick up. I myself am starting to worry about this year, but I have to remain resilient and keep the faith things are going to be alright. We're diligently working on developing some new clients in your area and if I can't get them squared away I'll let you know.

In the meantime, If you can find something to get you to Memphis, before Thursday, get in touch with me.

 

I am in the Van and Logistics side of the moon..I am still doing wonderful.I was out this week for a 5 day turn and grossed out at $8,200......I go wherever and however.I am not picky in these economic times...It takes a long time to find the ''AGENTS'' with the good stuff.These agents DO NOT even post on the L/S Load Board.So it will take at least a year hen pecking the boards until you find the agents and discover the good stuff..

 

So true.....It took me a little over a year to get in good with a few agents. Now I run a few loads weekly/bi weekly that are never posted! Back then, I thought I would always be at the mercy of the board. Dont get me wrong, this board isnt all that bad though. But sometimes I dont want to look at it...