Good and Bad Companies for O/O

I checked with Prime, my junky old truck is an '05 and won't qualify - no trucks older than 2006... Schnieder's deal looks pretty decent, and the miles they say they can get a team are 5500 - 6300 weekly. Solo's are 2700 - 3000.

 

Thanks for some direct and concise information. This is definitly information I can use.

 

I sold my flats back in Sept. I was hauling machinery and everybody cut the heck out of the rates. I couldn't justify the insurance, trailer payment, and equipment cost (chains and what not) to do the job right for the price poeple wanted to pay. Really didn;t think I would do it, but I leased onto Schneider's Choice program and like it. With the fuel, toll, and parts discounts alone I'm saving about $1000 a month. Also we on the program see and pick from all the freight before the system dispatchers get it. I have had quite a few loads paying over $3 a mile. A person just has to be a little flexable in these tough times.

 

Hello fellow truckers...I have been driving for a little over 3 yrs now and I am STRONGLY considering becoming an O/O. Can anyone recommend a good flatbed company for a first time O/O? I've checked into Mercer, Landstar, ATS. From what i've read on other posts and my opinion Landstar seems to be a very good company but being new as an O/O I'm not sure if it would be a real good idea for me to start out there due to the fact that you're pretty much on your own. And what are there truck requirements(wheelbase,yr,etc.)? Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated and has anyone heard of Long Haul Trucking and how they are to work for?

 

Landstar requires 2 years experience to lease

ooops, missed the 3 years experience part, sorry

 

I checked into Long Haul awhile back (90% of load if I remember correctly) but lots of deductions: trailer rental, etc which brought it back down dramatically. Plus when I spoke to their drivers they said pulling a curtain side hurt their fuel mileage (nothing above 6mpg). Generally running the upper Midwest (snow, Chicago, tolls etc.).
I just left pulling for Prime (flatbed) 72% no trailer rental, grossed over 200K every year @150,000 miles a year, 300 days out. But started with Oakley (end dump) before Christmas because I can get by the house (on US 75 N. of Dallas) pretty much anytime I want/need. My youngest son is 13 and I need to be home more. I won't make as much money, but money isn't everything.

 

Thanks for the info. Long Haul does pay 90% but you're right...A LOT of deductions!

 

reply to seargent scream,,,, JB HUNT i have been with them since dec 1st. as a ic on the percentage program... IF you have a truck payment dont do it...My truck is paid off, so im not that worried. i think it is the economy and lack of frieght, not jb.. that is why i have not left them.. RAtes are CHEAP CHEAP. however their are some 2.00 per mile loads. out there. however i have only gotten 4 since dec 1st. so they are very rare. and they are only 300 miles or less with too much time on them.. so even thow they paid 2.00 per mile THEY SUCKED!, i could have done 600 miles at 1.45per mile and made more money.. Oh and since JAN 1st due to a bad economy, i have netted close to 6,000 I probably would have made more money working at mc donalds for crying out loud.. Other than a bad economy, and lack of freight. JB is not a bad company to work for... (FOR AN OWNER OP) (Dont do lease purchases anywhere)(notsure what is like for a company driver. )BUt i do not recommend ANYONE buy a truck RIGHT now. I dont see how you can make a payment on it. as I can barely make my car payment. And i dont refuse lds. unless they are really way to cheap like 79cents per mile avg lded and mt.. STAY OUT OF NE. i sat there almost a week waiting for a ld. And i didnt refuse any...

 

ya, lets all run out and lease on to a company where the first thing someone praising them says is "if you have a truck payment don't do it"

WTF, you may like working for free but not everyone does

oops, I should finish reading a post before I respond to it shuldn't i?? lol

 

could you give me the headsup on mercer