Landstar Questions

Apparently the agents are NOT told the same thing the BCOs are told in orientation...... build up a list of drivers to work with before posting the loads on the board. I had over a yr at LS when I quit and no success with agents that I worked for and were praised by them as doing a good job. None of them would call me direct on loads, I would see some of their loads posted and would call them myself. A friend of mine has been with LS 2 yrs now.... same thing. My opinion is that 95% of the agents are too lazy to pick up the phone and check where you are or are too lazy to look in their rollodex for your truck number and then look you up in the computer.

This leaves me to assume the agents either are not told to make a list when they go to orientation, or else most of them don't care.

For example I ran across a new agent that CLAIMED she was looking for a list of good drivers... CLAIMED she put me on her list. And then NOT ONCE did she ever call me.

Yep to all the above.

 

Agents are busy. Taking coffee breaks, lunch breaks, doing crosswords, sometimes actually working on frieght customers. I keep a list of agents by location and call them when I'm getting loaded to head their way. "Hey Bubba, remember me, I PU & deliver on time, ya got any loads ya need covered tomorrow or next day?" Works for me sometimes. Sometimes have to look on load board, meet new agent. Eventually you have a list of agents that know you and don't hesitate to give you frieght. I'm just here looking over LS driver opinions. I am leased someplace else. Just my 2c.

Dave

 

i am a new BCO at LS,started 11-08
i have at this point,nothing good to say...
nothing bad to say...
i have not seen any "real money" or "real reason" to switch to this company...
yet...
i am going to stick with them for a while,and see if it gets any better...
i would recommend NOT signing on if you are making ANY kind of money at this time

 

You need to know or you have to remember that most agengts would rather get a brokered truck in for the load first. (It’s just good business, for the agent)

You need to do exactly just what you mentioned. It’s your business and no one is going to drum up business for you.
Great points.

You do know that you joined up at the slowest time in the industry right? It’s going to start to pick up. Hang in there and make as many phone calls as humanly possible. Don’t just rely on the Online board. Also don’t forget to check the Landstar broker board. The two are a bit different. Hang in there.

 

Like I had heard from a friend of mine thats been with LS for a long time.... Those trying to live off the load board will starve. And its even more so when frt is down like it is now. And that goes for most if not all boards. Both independent broker boards and company boards. Another guy I know quit Bennett after yrs with them. NO loads. Like 0 in IL, IA and 2 or 3 in WI for days. Jumpin ship and going to JB ( UGH ) to do drop n hook with fingers crossed. Just less than a yr with LS draggin a step and I'm far from having it figured out. Just be making a lot more calls! And use them unlimited minutes! Survival of the fittest has reared its ugly head.

 

i am sorry to report to everyone about landstar....

Landstar used to be wonderful..very ,very good money..we made a killing.it was a great system they set up...

Now....

Not a chance.so much has changed and the agents are now nothing more then a broker,not to mention landstar just gave c.h robinson a 4.5 million dollar credit line.do you no what that means? Trouble,cheap....

Its over from this point on with the mighty landstar...it has become a brokrage outfit filled with cut throat agents cutting there brother agents rates...that was unheard of at landstar,but thats common today.

People ask why at times i get so bitter.

Well its tough to watch such a great business turn into this.

At one time you made mad money for driving,know it goes to cheapest person to move it...

no loyalty anymore-all became cut throat

 

it dont matter if you have all kinds of agent goomba's...

They pawn it off to cheapest person....

Listen a@e was paying 4.00 a mile and more for many many years at landstar...

Know we have people to haul it today for $1.40..

I hate to say it but it goes to cheapest person....
i no alot of agents and that will not matter.it still goes to cheapest person...and yes its tough and it sucks...

 

There will always be someone around to do it cheaper. In anything. And everything. If only the price is being sold, instead of service, someone is not doing their job. And I see it every day. There are way too many BS agents with LS. For sure. Most are merely pawns and let the customer dictate all the rules and money instead of selling the complete package. And the company only wants to move freight. All the o/o's with the name on the door are not the first priority and actually, probably only provide a lot of people with jobs in an office in FL or IL.
But, there are still many good, old agents. Unfortunately, same everywhere else, too.
There are still many positives with LS vs. other options out here. As long as one can make them outshine the negatives. Its all (somewhat) up to the individual. The great part of it is, nobody makes us do it. Don't like it, go do something else. I was looking for a job when I found this one. Profit per pencil goes down? Sell more pencils!

 

but the sad part is this.

They drove the rate down so low that the driver is finished..you need at the very minimum at ls is 1.50 plus fuel to make out good....

Today the rates are like 65 cents to 1.30 ...you will go out of business on that rate....

I talked to corporate today and they said drivers are dropping like flys...tuning in plates and decals....cant even break even..

Ls is the best system but its going down fast,you watch ls in the next 2 years...they will merge with ch...the writing is on the wall...

 

I am sure there are many hanging it up. Everywhere. Good! Not for those individuals, not good at all, but for those that can withstand this. Fewer trucks for existing freight. That is good. I'm hoping I can withstand it. Have withstood similar trials before and reaped the benefits. As I'm sure many others have.

And, I agree with you on the rates. But the 'they' that drove the rates down is not all on Landstars head by any means. Supply and demand runs its course. And, losing long standing customers to low- ballers. Caused in part from being way too complacent and not taking care of their customers. Much of this falls on the agents' head(s) alone.

Realizing the low cost of keeping a customer vs. the high cost of gaining a new one comes much too late. Why an agent would not be kissing every customers hiney and studying their businesses for ideas to get more from them, which would benefit everybody, is beyond me. Instead, wait for someone else to grab it up. Then wonder what happened, also, as a few o/o's now miss out, too. And so the cycle continues.

If LS and CH make some agreement in the future so be it. It, too, could be good. Imagine, if you will: Two powerhouses scarf up all the freight business at any and all cost. Let the others starve and die. Thats when control is gained! And the rates? Like they should be. Oh what a thought. Or dream....