LS does the same. If you get enough gold stars, it's a perk. Agent calls with a gig and books your truck. They post the load for 5 minutes and tell you there's a truck on it. They called a a guy and booked him, before they even posted the load.
Welcome to the real world!
Landstar flatbed division
Discussion in 'Landstar' started by Battle Born, Feb 26, 2014.
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I wonder if there are any Landstar Flatbedders that would let me pick their brains as well.. I'm in the same boat. Did my first year and change with Prime flatbed division, now looking to lease on to a real company with better rates. It has come down to Landstar and Mercer at this point. I've been accepted to both.
My average this year for all dispatched miles (loaded and empty) was around 1.37/mi. That's 48 state OTR and running wherever forced-dispatch says to go. Pretty sure I can do better on my own, hopefully 10-20% better or more.
Anyway, can anyone offer any insight as to which company might be better as far as load availability and average rates? Seems like LS could have a bigger freight network, but maybe with a 48' flat Mercer might have more loads to run. From what I've read, the culture at Mercer seems awesome, but I feel like I'm familiar with the better lanes and wouldn't mind booking my own loads at all.
I own my truck (well, most of it.. The bank still owns some too, heh) but don't have a trailer. If I go with LS, planning on buying a trailer before I start if I can find a good deal. If not, might just rent one of theirs for a few weeks until a deal pops up.
I guess the big question is: Which company would have more loads available and of there is a small difference in freight rates, who's would be higher with a 48' flat?
This time of year is rough, I know. Probably the worst time to switch companies because freight is relatively scarce. I can't take Prime's forced-dispatch, did my one year and I'm out. Guys that don't buy into their lease program get the loads only after company drivers and lease ops have been taken care of (my opinion)..
Any thoughts/advice/criticisms? Might get a 53 foot step or even a sliding-axle 53' flat if I can afford it, but need to be CA and FL compliant so I can chase the best rates. Seems like 48 footers have the best load availability however, which is key.
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CactusJay Thanks this.
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You ask good questions, for sure. LS loads on our board can be a joke. I have a "naughty list" for a reason.
We have a 48' step and question our choice, at times. I always book our loads. Our 48 SD is more accommodating for OD loads. If we had a 53', we could haul more. We bought what we could afford.
We've never ran for Mercer so I can't say anything about them.
We've been with LS for 5 years. My husband has never wanted to jump because our loads are on us. I hate some of the agents and tried to file complaints, but it's all on us. I have a good list and a naughty list.
We're strictly O/O so I can't help you there, either. We're usually broke in February. Save up for it, before hand.
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Really I live on the truck for now. Technically my family and friends are mostly in Arizona and Colorado, but I only see them and pick up my mail when I'm passing thru. Otherwise I just like to run. So it doesn't matter too much in my case where I call home since I hope to pick some Midwest lanes and run around that area for as long as I can find good freight. Great advice thank you, I might as well shoot for a 48' flat trailer since they're cheaper and if I have to miss out on the occasional sweet military load that requires a step (or whatever it might be) so be it. -
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From my research, I would say Landstar would have more step deck freight, and probably Mercer would have the edge with a 48flat. Keep in mind you will have to be patient at either company, learn the system.
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CactusJay Thanks this.
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