booking loads

You can book away, all you need is a phone and a way to fax or send documents via email. There is a learning curve, especially when it comes to rates and lanes. Where are you located? What kind of freight? Trailer?

 

Do you have your own truck, trailer and authority?

 

As was already mentioned you do not need to be a broker but you will need to be signed up with brokers. The sign up process is relatively simple but there are requirements. I'll try to give you a brief example. First you will need a load board and lets say you see a load you think will be a good fit. You give the number a call and tell them you are interested in this load and ask is it still available? Next, get the necessary information on the load...how much weight, how many stop..if it is still a good fit you negotiate a rate.

Then you could inform them that you are not signed up with them and they will email you a set up package. The package contains there information and instructions on how to complete the package. Typically it is just a contract that needs to be signed and each page initialed. You will also need to send them a copy of your authority, possibly some references, and you will need to have your insurance agent email or fax them a copy of your insurance with the broker listed as a certificate holder. After you are signed up they will send you the rate confirmation for the load...which has the rate and all the information needed to haul the load...locations..p/u numbers etc.

After you are signed up with that broker...the next time you haul a load for them all you need to do is give them a call.

Tips that I would give:

Get Adobe Acrobat Pro. With Acrobat Pro you can create and edit PDF's which makes filling out their packets and rate confirmations easy. You will never have to print everything out. Just open the file and Acrobat and add the needed information to the file.

Communicate with the brokers. If you let them know when your husband checks in and checks out....his eta etc. they will appreciate you and soon enough you will have them calling you for loads.

If your serious, I would get a paid load board and I would also call and sign up with a handful of the bigger brokers to get the process out of the way.

Finally, many brokers want to see that you have had your authority for over 6 months to a year...it varies but just keep that in mind.

Good luck