How to Find Smaller Trucking Companies For Owner Operators?

I was told when you get your ''own'' numbers,you will be at ZERO and a clean slate..?

 

I have no tickets or CSA points on my record......

I don't know if it's accurate to say most drivers have a couple tickets and points on their record.

 

Your CDL needs to be protected. Forget what "most" people may or may not have. Most drivers are idiots. So do you think you will succeed being an idiot because others are?

I never got a moving violation and can count on one hand inspections that I didn't pass and never OOS. And I have interviewed many drivers with million miles, accident free and perfect inspection history. And we have many that work here.

Point is, if you are going to be independent (or still lease to someone) don't use "common" as your yardstick. There are plenty of common drivers but how many exceptional ones.

 

Actually, really not directing it at you but the sentiment you talking about. You seem to have a good head on your shoulder.

What I would say is to look long and hard at the independent side with no capital. If you have a paid for truck you should be able to save up what is needed to be independent in a year or less. Problem with putting yourself into a "have to run" situation is that you will be taking loads you shouldn't or booking early because you can't afford to wait.

Besides the trailer, biggest start-up expense would be insurance deposit. There will be companies that will finance the whole amount but from my experience they are also the ones that are overcharging for insurance.

Starting as an independent short of funds is doable. But if it is not a dream and seems like a better options then I would say you need to really do the math from insurance to cheaper rates to running when you don't want to. If the independence is a dream, then this is all a cost of achieving that dream.

 

check out transport design, they are out of mn. they run 53 foot trailers http://www.transportdesigninc.com/ this just one company i know of. there money is good anyway. just check and see ifs your cup of tea.

 

Am i right were i should be..?...I was doing my landscape today around my castle and this ''FEAR'' came over me...I started thinking about this whole wanting to get away from L/S...I ''feel safe'' with L/S on so many levels but then again i am fed up with L/S Policy's and the total 100% involvement of Corporate treating us like a company driver..

So i was thinking about all the ''money'' i have to put out there and start on my own...So i figured out the REAL REASON why many of us are full of FEAR..It really boils down to the All Mighty Money...This sets off many fears and uncertain futures..

I am taking a big risk seperating myself from the once great L/S and somedays i just want to stay ''comfortable''.Maybe this is a trap?,I am not sure.I ''worry'' that once i get all this done and all the money out there that i will not find these killer loads i seem to find on my L/S Board...

Then i have talked with BCO's who had there own #'s and gave it up to come to L/S.These guys claim that they do better at L/S..Is this true.How could a L/S Guy do better than i guy with his own Auth..I always thought that people with there own Auth made more money...

Sorry,i am a bit scattered brain today thinking about the money i need to put up...

 

LS88991,

Getting your own numbers is a risk. Running for LS or a company like mine is about as close to being independent as you can get without being independent. But there is still a huge difference.

I have meet many a BCO the swear THEY can make better money at LS than ANYONE running independent.

Now it is true that you have some disadvantages as an independent compared to running for a mega carrier. But many of the things you do without can often be offset with something else.

Access to freight is often the one that I hear BCO's discuss. And it is true that a LS will get freight that an independent doesn't get. But it goes both ways. A BCO would have to get a load brokered to LS (less the cut) for them to get access to other freight that independents can get. Now a smart independent can grab loads at great rates into LS dead markets and use another broker to get out. (Did it to ND all the time)

Personally, unless being independent is a dream or goal of yours I think you can find a decent middle ground. Because as an independent you don't have access to much of the premium freight that small and mid-sized carriers can get.

So there are trade-offs no matter what you do. Key is figuring out what you want to do and what is going to make you happy. I don't think that I am overstepping by saying that it is clear that you are not happy at LS.