Being an O/O under a Carrier's Authority

These guys are mainly reefer but this is a short term deal they have going. I strongly prefer reefer and would like to stay that way. Although I have heard good things about both Landstar and Mercer. Flatbed is so cyclical I'm not sure I would want to go through retraining and gearing up for it.

 

I see freight bills when I get back to the yard. They don't mind showing me rate cons. I am very interested in pulling a reefer with Landstar but when I have called to ask about it the recruiter tells me it wouldn't be a good idea. I have seen more reefer loads on their board and even the website mentions refrigerated in a few places.

I plan on getting my own trailer eventually. One of the Road Runner companies, Big Rock, runs similar to Mercer; no load board to choose from but they have agents spread around east of 35 that book their own freight and put on the Big Rock trucks, all owner ops. And you need your own trailer and 88% of the rate running their numbers. I find that pretty interesting too especially since they have an office in my area of Arkansas.

 

Seeing as I just got in I won't be able to do another Jersey run but I gut a good load to WI with two drops early Monday. Pays me 1.78 all miles. Hoping for a good backhaul. He wanted me to go to Laredo but I have about as high of an opinion of Laredo as I do Florida.

 

Open deck has its advantages and I think as you move in to more specialized freight it is probably a great gig. I have been in the reefer business so long now and to transition to open deck would have me starting from scratch and knowing absolutely nothing. I have a lot of knowledge when it comes to reefer freight, equipment, and lanes. I'm not ruling it out but it would be a pain to bring my knowledge level in open deck to the level I have when it comes to reefer freight.

When I first started driving I tried to get on with a flatbed carrier; scheduled for orientation and everything. I didn't go because they changed their tune about my dog. Where I go, the dog goes and she was only 8lbs over their official policy. Kind of stupid if you ask me.

 

I am continuing to work on some things and it amazes me how unwilling people are to take your money. These people have a job to sell equipment, sell insurance, and business services yet it's like pulling teeth to get business done. The used equipment guys obviously have a VERY high opinion of their trailers but they aren't worth what they're asking or you identify obvious problems and they get really defensive. Is it that hard to find good help at these places or how do they stay in business if they treat people like this. It was the same way when I was trying to buy my truck. It blows me a way that people run a business like that. It's like they expect people to just buy as is and not haggle price. I'm not try to put one over on them but paying them what it is really worth. I think it's just the area I'm in or something over here in Arkansas.