Being an O/O under a Carrier's Authority

I don't know if you're pulling a dry van or a reefer but going into Florida with a dry van you'll be very lucky if you can get a dollar a mile coming out Florida just flat out sucks

 

I seriously gave up on Florida ages ago. In fact I moved to Texas to put myself into a better position. Each time I have had massive deadheads. Miami to Savannah via Valdosta with a weeks gap. Tallahassee to the SC line. Typical Florida crap. Each time there was a reason I did it but it is over.
I try to stay away from Colorado, Montana, the Dakotas and even Washington and Oregon. It is just too tough trying to find something that pays out of there.
I understand the idea of taking into account the 'round trip' but with a small business each trip needs to yield a profit, it needs to make something. A big corporation can service a large client at a loss for the sake of the big picture but I cannot.
Sooner than take 65cpm I will deadhead to somewhere with an empty trailer and gain the better fuel consumption. If people take these loads it encourages them. The customers need to be pushed into a corner that if they don't pay a decent rate then their goods sit on the dock.
Lived in Florida for many years and liked it but as far as trucking is concerned it is the kiss of death.

 

Actually it would take $3 a mile to get me into that state.

 

Just finished at LS and the short answer to your question is no. You won't get the miles (although that is irrelevant), the money is no better than anywhere else and you can spend a LOT of time sitting unless you have someone to help you with booking loads way in advance OR get in with an agent with a regular gig. Been there done that.
Mercer, Meadow Lark and all the others are all a similar story. Each has their own twist but that is what it is a twist.

I think much of this is about niche. You thrash around until you find a little corner you can call your own and stay there. Assuming you don't go broke first.

 

I can relate to what you say Spyder.

 

this is prob a dumb question, but when the agent assured you that he could get you a buck a mile coming out of FL, why did you go in? Did you feel a buck per mile was good? It seems dissapointing that there's a dude sitting home over the weekend while your on the road. Then to top it off he's making money off your work, and you have to treat him like he's doing you the favor. I'm sure it's a dumb question on my part, but I'm just trying to figure out where and how you can make money operating a truck.

 

It seems a little unrealistic with the way the market supposedly is right now not to occasionally get stuck with a crap load. I understand the frustration though...you buy a truck and get it all set up to run and naturally assume it should be nothing but big bucks from then on. There will be a lot of dirt and rocks to sift through at first to find the gold, especially if you don't have a gig with an outfit that you know has good solid lanes they can keep you on.