Breaking into the industry. Need advice.

Study the OOIDA.com website for the business end of being an owner-operator.
Don't listen to the cry babies; there's some good entry level carriers out there. Just because a few mama's boy wimps can't handle trucking, doesn't mean the carrier is bad; it means they aren't mature enough to take personal responsibility for their life because it's easier to blame everyone else. Their mommy told them they're "special" and if anything is unpleasant in their life, it's someone else's fault.

 

Why does everybody have the idea that loads come from brokers ?

 

I have wondered the same thing Danny. Because its easier to pay a fee to subscribe to a load board, than to find your own customers. Like the Owner-Operators wanted ads. Lease to me, I will get on the computer and find all the cheap ### broker loads you can haul. Come one come all.

 

Sorry, I don't know of any. Most of them want OTR experience for insurance purposes. It can be tough without going to School or starting with one of the Mega carriers.. you might find an insurance company that would insure you if you got your own authority. If so, it would be very Expensive, and a learning curve starting out. It has caused many to go down in flames.

Good Luck

 

Getting your authority is a matter of 20 minutes on line and $300. That's so easy a monkey could do it. Getting insured is really a matter of money...as long as you have experience,a clean driving record and can handle the down payment you will get insured. You just need to right agent to make it happen. That's the easy part. Getting loads with new authority is not so easy, a lot of brokers require at least six months of ACTIVE authority before they will work with you. Others don't care, you just need to call around until someone is willing to trust you with a load. Make sure any equipment you buy is RELIABLE...the surest way to not get another load from any brokerage is to deliver late. I would recommend joining the OOIDA and taking advantage of their business services to help you get legal to run before you move your truck, otherwise you could end up in a big mess that won't go away. Good luck with your endeavors and let us know how it goes for you.

 

Progressive or Berkshire will insure you. Majority of brokers don't care about your experience as long as your insurance checks out

 

Why not look at some of the local companies to your area. My bet is many of them would take a good driver. Use their equipment to learn the business and then try stepping out on your own. Get some real experience before you beak the bank and your family.