Landstar Questions

Realistically, I don’t see it pulling a Dry van right now. Especially with LS. No one I know pulling a Dry van is making that. And they run all the time. I pull a Flat and I could make that if I ran all the time and never came home, but it would be tough setting up the loads right now.
It’s all about having a load in advance now days. But it’s just not happening like it used to. And the FSC and Assessorial fees on average are way down. The FSC and Assessorial fees could be over 1/3 of your net back in the good old days.
$1000 per week net would be more like it running all the time with a Dry Van. You could make that with an average Company driver position without the cost of running your own truck.
I have yet to meet a BCO pulling a Dry Van at LS that was happy. Of course I mostly meet Platform BCO’s. But even we aren’t’ happy these days. LS and the agents have pulled just about all the profit form the loads these days.
Everyone is just staying afloat waiting for it to change.

Of course this is just my opinion, form looking at the load board and what the rates are. Looks like way less than a dollar to the driver after LS and the agent split. Of course all my friends that drove a driy van have quit also. Seems like LS has lowered it's standards again because of driver turnover. So now would be a good time to get in if you've been waiting. But what you have been waiting for might have changed.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by "net". If you mean $1500 to the truck per week yes. If you mean after fuel and all other expenses I do not think that will happen.
You already know times are tough but there are loads that pay well that never see the load board. There is no time for games or talking on forums. You will have to make plenty of calls and know who to call. Its about who and what you know that will make or break you at Landstar. No hugs or hand holding here.

 

Well if all the fish in the sea is the gross, Net would be what you are left with after you throw your net in and pull it out. What you pull out and is left in your net = NET.
So if you still have to subtract fuel and so called other expenses the million dollar answer would be "no".

 

Obviously my post went way over your head and you didn't get the point.

 

net is net! it's whats left over after all your landstar fee's,road expenses,fuel,food,etc. basicly your paycheck! but you will still have to pay your truck payments and anything that is not taken from your settlement check. gross is what you made before anything comes out of your settlement!
so from what i see! if you guys can't make a pay check of 12 to 15 hundred a week after fuel and road expenses, THEN WHY IN THE H*** WOULD you be at landstar! seems stupid to me! also how do these guys pay for these super trucks i continue to see pulling landstar vans! ie,W9'S,379 PETE'S ETC. i have an 03 freightliner century with a small payment! SO WHATS UP WITH THAT! you can make a grand a week, after fuel and road expenses running local or regional, why would you run over the road for crap! either someone's feeding someone alot of bologny, or they have some type of nich with certain brokers or something! you know it sucks that you can never get a simple straight answer about landstar! i have met some great folks on the road that helped alot. but even landstar it's self is very vaig! almost like there setting you up to loose! I KNOW FREIGHT CHANGES DAILY! BUT so what! if i could just see the bco load board for a couple of weeks. then i could make an educated decision! even copies would help!THANKS FOR THE info, i do appreciatte it.

 

you ans. your question about lanstar.
It is all about who you know, im getting ready to put my truck back on over there I have been talking to acouple of my agents that I hauled for and...well I will be back over there within the next 2weeks.
You see you have to get to know the agent and gain each others trust.For the last 1 1/2 yrs I was there the only time I hauled off the board was if I need to get to my customers that I hauled for.Everything else I hauled never hit the board I always got phone calls from the agents I worked with.
And the smart O/O does not share info of what they have going on with any agent.
Thats why you will have to work the board and build a relationship with agents.
If you plan on solly working the board you will go broke soon unless you have small payment and no truck note.
At one time you could work off the board but with the economic times we are in it would be tough.

 

You see, that is the one major problem I have with Landstar. I am a good driver. I pick up on time, deliver on time, don't give shippers or consignees a hard time. I don't need my hand held, I don't even like to talk to a human to do a daily check call. Electronic communication is fine with me.

I don't want to social network, take agents out to lunch, pretend I care about their families, buy presents, or brown nose to get my freight. I want my ability, character, and sucess at hauling freight with out needing to talk to someone everytime I have a flat tire or get lost to speak for me.

But, it very rarely works that way in trucking. I have seen the half ### truckers get great loads from kissing butts, while the quiet, good drivers scrape to get by.

5mouths, I am not saying you fit the above in any way, nor is this directed at you. I just happened to use your quote to make a point. I have heard this same thing every time I look at a Landstar thread, and that is the one big concern I have. I keep to myself and do my job, which makes me afraid I may never get decent loads.

 

Its cool
I don't do the whole brown nose thing or take them out deal either.I just stay in contact with them when I get to or im going to be in there area letting them know I will be avl. to get a load if something pops up.Then after awhile of hauling loads for a agent and get it the job done they will start to keep in contact with you and let you know whats coming done the pike.

 

That's the kind of answers I have been looking for, but not finding. Thanks.