tips on where/how to start Independent o/o?

Don't apply for mc/dot before you have your plan all set and have equipment. Getting those numbers is instant anyway. And contrary to popular belief a slightly lower dot or mc number will not benefit you much in securing work. What does help is an active number with plenty of work history and other customers who you work with. Which brings up another point. If you are limiting your source of work to one source....it kind of defeats the purpose of your own authority.. the idea is to get work from multiple sources and make a business out of it. Why go to all the trouble if you just work for one pimp? Beyond that, should said pimp decide he wants to trade in his boat for a bigger one and you are going to work for less what will you do? Tell him to pound sand? How can you if you don't have multiple pimps? You never want to be under anyone's thumb ...

 

Another idea may be try to figure out how many people are currently doing what you are trying to do. How are they doing. Do you work the container work now?

 

I thought he's made it abundantly clear to get the work lined up first, then spend money on equipment, insurance and authority.

You go spend all this money first, you just set yourself up for almost certainty of failing before you ever earn a dollar.

 

I think that Progressive is trying to get out of commercial truck insurance.

We were paying $55,000 per year for 6 trucks and 12 trailers. As we came up for renewal they bounced it up to $69,000!

I found a really great agent who got us the same coverage PLUS haz mat added for $40,000

Progressive can go... well you get it.

Also, your mileage radius makes a big difference. Don't get nationwide coverage if you run 90% in a regional area.

Edit: And I was a customer for 9 years!

 

This, I found makes a big difference.

I plan to run within the 500 mile radius anyway.

Can you PM me your new agent? I just need to do a final comparison before I commit...lol