Hiring Drivers

I would say start with LS, ask them what they require first.

 

I need a driver and can't seem to find anyone that passes all the Landstar Nazi Rules...Then again it has been like this ever since Landstar Began..It is actually a bit easier these days and still can't get drivers to pass the Landstar Qualifications..

Many years ago if i am not mistaken you needed 5 years Exp..Then it went to 3 years and now 1 year...So it has gone downhill and backwards.

 

Five years experience and acceptable PSP scores might be harder to find than you think . It seems logical that 1 year experience and acceptable PSP scores are more prevalent. Heck, 5 years and a good physical (read BP stats) might be harder to find than you think.

While it may be tough, I do think that LS screening your potential drivers will in the end be to your benefit. The main problem that I see for you is that any driver who qualifies for LS is probably going to look into signing on a truck. It will not take long for them to calculate not paying you.

For instance, I replied to a Craig's List ad that a LS BCO had published. He wanted 500 per week regardless of what I brought in. He wanted me to run it as though I was the BCO. I was to be responsible for fuel and he was quite ambiguous as to who would pay for repairs. The way he worded it was as though any mechanical problems that were considered driver error, I would be responsible for. As I listened to his interpretation of this personal policy it became clear that anything could be considered "driver error."

This is the important thing though. He wanted $500 per week. That is $2000 per month, in a typical month, and 2500 in an atypical month. I would have not been running "my own trailer" either. At the current LS rates and percentage, the money just wasn't there.

I have a hard time justifying buying a truck myself and leasing it on to LS at a truck payment of $250 per week. Why again would I pay him $500 per week to use the LS load board when I qualify as a driver myself?

That is all I was getting out of the deal. The ability to plan my own freight and go home when I wanted to. The price to do this was extremely steep. There are enough jobs out there that will pay over $700 per week after taxes, and be home once a week for a restart for the driver who meets LS qualifications. This can be achieved without any maintenance cost and the risk of breakdown can be hedged with breakdown pay.

 

So are you trying to say L/S guys only bring home 700.00 a week..?...I lost you on this one..

 

Yes.And the run i have in mind pays 900.00 to the driver for 4 days of work and 3 off.And the work day is like 8 hours a day...This is a no brainer but it also seems that many many drivers like to stay under the umbrella of a ''big'' bottom feeder...This make many of them feel that warm fuzzy feeling...Home 34 hours a week and make 600.00 bucks...

 

No. I am saying that in order to bring home $700 before taxes, through this offer, I would of had to generate $1200 in net revenue. 48 cpm profit margin on a 2500 mile week before taxes? That amounts to right at the current FSC rate? Seeing that you have Landstar in your screen name, please do tell, what is your profit margin per mile?

What I am saying is that netting $1200 before taxes is very close to a 55/45 split with me on the 55% side.

What I am saying is I would be getting a cut of a cut of a cut and expected to maintain all aspects of the vehicle. From PM's to tires to mechanical failure.

What I'm saying is that charging $500 per week and making the sublease responsible for repairs on a 13 year old truck was out of the question for me, and that I could make a minimum of $700 per week without all that added hassle.

Mostly I am trying to communicate to the OP why someone who is qualified for Landstar did not take an offer from a BCO. Just trying to give some feedback is all.