Breaking into the industry. Need advice.

To do the schedule you want there is only one option. That is get your own authority.
This will take some things you may or may not have.
1. Good work ethic. NOT lazy. Willing to drive the truck all week and spend a good part of your weekend working on the equipment and doing the never ending paperwork. If you do the paperwork yourself count on close to a half a day a week for this.
2. Good driving record. To get the insurance you need. Recommend Progressive to begin with. Count on your insurance as a start up to be in the neighborhood of $10,000 a year. That may be low. You will need at least a cash down payment on that.
3. Good credit. Credit card for fuel and another one for repairs etc. unless you have the cash on hand. Cash on hand preferred.
4. Cash on hand for a down payment on the truck and the trailer. Also need money to get your flatbed equipment and money to operate for 60 days. Most brokers and shippers pay 30 days after they RECEIVE your invoice.
5. A laptop with cell service data card for on the road load searches and e-mailing documents. Need a printer/scanner in the truck as well. And an inverter to power it all.
6. Again cash on hand. Even if you use a credit card for fuel and repairs the first credit card bill will roll around just as you are starting to get checks in the mail. Therefore you will need enough cash on hand to pay that first fuel and repairs etc. bill before you have been paid for your hauling. I would recommend at least $10,000 on hand for that. Then there are all your personal expenses to consider. Also $550 2290 tax. And IRP plates $1500 more or less.

This is definitely not everything but should give you an idea.
Also when you sign a contract with the broker to haul their load (READ the whole contract!!!)you will be signing a legal document that says you will NOT haul for that shipper without going through the broker.
Therefore, find your own shipper contacts at least in your local area. Try to limit the broker loads to the loads that you get to get you back to home base.

 

central oregon flatbedding would be a great start. home weekly and good pay.