Who's all leaving the choice program?

Hey guys happy new year!!! Sorry I've been busy with working. I'm really happy the decision I made. I was on the dedicated with Walmart during holiday season and it was pretty nice. Other than everything is good so far. My average is between $1.75 - 2.00 per mile after Landstar cut. My break even point is $1.30 a mile so I'm making some profits. Landstar has more job opportunities than Schneider if you willing to work. You can find a short jobs and keep it around your region or you can cross the country with coast to coast jobs. It is totally up to you. The only trick about Landstar is making relation with agents. You can not rely on load board all the time because the good paying jobs usually comes from agents directly to owner operators without posting on the board. If you have more questions feel free to ask.

 

What's the equipment like? You find yourself having trailers that were dropped and reported as good condition but needed a total makeover? Are you usually live l loads or drop and hooks? Did you go over with your own trailer? How long did it take you to form those relationships with the agents?

 

I will try and help a little. First, they have a mix of dry vans as far as year and models. Their trailers never get in bad shape because like the IC trucks the trailers also have to be DOT'd quarterly or you are put out of service. They pay for this unless you are overdue then you pay(tractor only). Most loads/unloads are live. They do have some drop/hooks. They also have some power only loads where you pull a customer trailer or dedicated special purpose trailer. They also have some dedicated accounts. There are no trailer fees on dry vans. You can have your own trailer but that kinda knocks you out of the drop and hooks but increases your %.

 

Perfect explanation. Excatly is like that.

 

Since you got the answer for trailers so let me explain about agents. It is totally up to you. During orientation they tell you takes usually 3 to 6 months to build a relation with them but again some people make it faster some go slower.

 

If I ever decided to leave again I'd definitely go to Landstar but I'm just not the type to be calling agents. I hate that

 

That's the part I am not in the mood to deal with, but with the past few days I'm so ready to leave schneider.

 

Well I been here going on 4 years and it might get frustrating at times and the bs can be overwhelming but I will say first hand the grass isn't greener all the time for everyone.. And furthermore if I went to Landstar id pull flatbed.. I'd never leave here to go to another van outfit.. Do your research and if your leave make sure it's on his terms so the door will always be open if need be

 

I appreciate that advice. The past few days have been that, frustrating and the bs is beyond belief in the moment, but when I step back and look at my time here as a whole, it's been the most profitable, most flexible, and fits my current business model and needs. Just in that moment things look really bad. You just can't go back and earn the revenue that was lost for those days. It's time lost and all I can do is move forward.