Road Runner LP - Is this a Joke?

LP's can be successfully completed obviously. Plenty of drivers do it. The first problem is you cant have zero experience and be a moron. Second is your homelife has to be almost non existent. Have a wife and 3 kids at home and youre the only source of income then youre surely going to fail. Young Single driver who works hard and doesnt blow money left and right can be successful.

 

You either know how to run a business or you dont. Scribbling in a piece of paper the carrier gives you doesnt endow you with the knowledge you need to succeed. Many drivers fall into this way of thinking and turn into a share cropper on wheels. They are their own worst enemies. They sign a so called "contract" without a clue what is in it or what it means. If I went to another carrier you bet I would have a lawyer (that specializes in trucking) check over the contract for little nuggets that can leave me holding the bag....or other issues that are hidden in legal speak.

Many people run trucking businesses and have a decent home life. If you have a non existent home life I feel bad for you....and also its a choice. It doesn't have to be that way.

Like I said...if the carrier/LP provider wont let you take the contract to be read over and checked by a professional.....WALK AWAY!!! No if ands or buts.....thats the discipline. Just walk away.

 

I did successful L/P. But it was at my micro carrier.
It also was not free to get into.

I think part of Schneider's hook is "you can take the truck to another carrier. "

To me the monumental mistake is trying to be an IC at a company that has company drivers.

Add in the mega's management is all WTF bonus driven.

Feel free to shout me down at this time.

 

Bring home 3k a week.......

Yet inquiring about RoadRunner......

 

The main lesson to be learned is making a logical business minded decision. The vast majority of the drivers want to rush in head strong into LPs. You CANNOT be in a position to make these decisions if:

#1 You don't know how to run a business. Scribbling on a napkin at a truck stop lunch counter doing "fantasy math" does not count. Neither does mentally fantasizing as you drive down the road. I am talking about genuine real training or course of study that teaches one how to run a business. Reading a few articles out of a trucking magazine does not count! This includes training/education how the trucking business/industry operates. Watching how your carrier operates or trying to cypher your settlements does not count nor is it helpful. PERIOD!

#2 You are a great driver....and you think this translates into having good business skills. WRONG! It does not.

#3 You get emotionally giddy like a teenager when the carrier flashes a shiny truck at you and convinces you that you will be a business owner. A few hours later you get brain washed and full of yourself and sign on thinking you now transformed into an all knowing trucking company owner. WRONG AGAIN! Also go back and see #1 lol.

Do not forget what I said initially. You have limited control about successfully completing the LP. You are given an illusion of control. You have none what so ever. Everything that is put into motion is carefully crafted by the carrier...to include who will be permitted to complete the LP and who will not. Don't think for one second that you can outsmart, out think or predict how the LP will play out. You dont. I have seen drivers with 1 year to 6 months to go have trucks taken from them, get loads cut off or be forced to trade in the truck because its over 3 years old.....I can go on and on and cite examples. Like I said its like playing a progressive slot machine.

Like I said the carriers will always make sure a handful will be permitted get the trucks. Read what I said....PERMITTED TO GET THE TRUCKS.

PS: Recently talked to a driver who voluntarily turned in an LP truck back in that was on with Road Runner. Road Runner put a repossession on his credit. That will be there for 7 years!! He got a repo put on his credit for a truck he didnt even have the rights to!!

 

I cant really get into what the micro carriers do. This depends on the LP agreement. I personally know some micro carriers that have decent LP. But again I want to stress on my previous post about learning how to run a business and understanding the trucking industry....and seeking competent counsel. But many of these micro carriers also screen their drivers carefully.

From looking at Daves above post he seemed to have done diligent homework before getting into an LP. This is what I urge the other drivers to do and not get caught up in the mega carriers hyper live infomercial style recruiting to get into an LP.

 

Well the ultimate ( at the time ) fleece purchase was CRE. They present you all the numbers at the school, and they are fairly accurate, however they don't tell you your DM is going to be a tard.
And basically what there's, and all the others boil down to, is you need to run team to really make it work. That's the big falsehood.

When I did mine there was no buyout at the end either ( micro carrier ). Some have astronomical buy outs.

Getting back to CRE. I will say the did listen to what I said, and dispatched me team loads, that I ran as a solo. Made tons of money, for three months, just couldn't keep up that pace. But my point is they did give me the opportunity to make the money, I have to give them that.

I recommend Penske to anyone looking at a Volvo. Best value in trucking. The shakers all have rear end ratios that make me flinch a little.

 

Moglar, your experience with lease purchase gives a potential L/P driver goods points to consider when looking for a lease purchase but each individual will do it their way. Some succeed some will not. It sounds like you were not successful considering all the negatives in your posts. I suggest any one looking at L/P to not have a lot of personal debt, not have family dependant on you for support. As I stated in an earlier post, I have excellent credit but could not save $10,000 to get started as an owner operator. I lease purchased two Centuries from May Trucking. One then the other. I pulled their freight exclusively, used their shop for repairs and tires. I worked for the company not against them. I hauled the loads good and bad. I completed both contracts on time and got clear title in my name both times. My avatar picture was my second Century. Although I could have taken my truck anywhere, I would still be hauling for them except I developed severe night night blindness. I can say without reservation that May Trucking is fair and honest in their business dealings.

 

I met a fellow last year who was doing a Quality L/P and was with Road Runner. He said he was making good money then. I just talked to him again through text. He is still there and says he loves it. He said he brought home $3000 last week after expenses. Apparently, it works for some folks.