MC Authority Or Lease

[QUOT="Ridingsxrs, post: 4739428, member: 100422"]Also any decent broker won't let you haul for them without atleast 6 months to a year with active authority. And this year is a lot slower than 2014... Most good loads and brokers already have carriers they've been dealing with for years moving the frieght[/QUOTE]
This isn't always correct. I'm a new authority and while some brokers want to see 3/6/12 months maturity, I've not had any trouble staying loaded with flatbed work.

I will say there are some loads that I miss out on due to being new that would have put me in the lane I want , less dh or better rate, but I figure I'm just paying my dues while my company matures.

 

The way freight is right now there's no way I would be starting a new authority. I say lease on to a good company who is most likely not affected by this slowdown we're currently in

 

The 10k is what you should have in your maintenance fund alone, plus at least three months operating costs. I would think maybe at these prices today, $15k would be the additional amount needed for an authority.

One reason why I lease my trucks is because of the hassle with my own authority, I don't have to chase money.

 

I see comments like this "the way freight is right now" and believe me, I have NO experience with how freight used to be as I am a brand new authority O/O but when I log on at 5:30 Monday morning and there are already 509 loads waiting to be picked up TODAY within 100 miles of my location on just 1 of the 3 loadboards I subscribe to, I have to wonder , WOW, how good did it used to be, because I'm amazed at how good it is just starting out now.
What did it used to be like? and will it get that way again with eb and flows of industry?

 

[QUOTE="Ridgeline, post: 4739680, member: 77050

One reason why I lease my trucks is because of the hassle with my own authority, I don't have to chase money.[/QUOTE]

Chasing $$ is a pain in the butt. I pulled a load for James Hardie recently. Rate confirmation was 1442.00 they deposited 960.00 with no explanation. Load was picked up and delivered on time with no damage. We've now had 3 calls to their accounting and each time and had to refax all documents and they say it will be fixed in 2 days and when it isn't , we have to call back and refax all of it again. It is a pita.

It would be a HUGE help if getting authority to have someone at home who can watch the load boards , file carrier packets and follow the money to make sure everything is paid as should be. It would be tough trying to start out new , driving, working on truck and all the back office stuff.

 

I would get your own authority. If your leased on you only get the loads that the company has instead of all of them. I started with my authority right off the bat and no experience driving a truck. I've done very well. I pull a flatbed.

There is NOT a ton of paperwork. You pull the load, scan in the BOL and invoice and email it. Or you can factor your loads and have the money direct deposited by the next day at 7am. IFTA is done once every quarter and if you have a Garmin that keeps track you just import the data into your states spreadsheet.

Your also in Columbus Ohio which is a GREAT area for flatbed freight. I'm in Hubbard, OH myself right now looking for a load this morning. You can do fine pulling loads from PA/OH to NC/SC and back again. Occasionally pull a load out to Seattle, WA to clear your head.

Just pull for the big boys and you won't have any problems. Landstar, Mercer, Pittsburgh Logistics, Sureway and others.

If your a go getter you can make some real decent money unloading one load then loading another the same day. You will be taking a ###### shower though many times. (Washing up in the truck).

Good luck. There are many of us with our own authority that will help you if you want. @double yellow is a good resource if he can get southern women out of his head.

 

I guess I should have been more clear about that. The problem is rates, not loads.

I believe Skate-board just deadheaded 600 miles to Ohio rather than take cheap crap

 

Ahhhhhh ok... Not long ago I deadheaded from south florida to atlanta to get a decent rate, Im way at the bottom of good freight lane learning curves.
Running out of nc though it is like a feast compared to famine when leaving out of florida.

 

If you have the desire and the ambition to get your own authority...do it before you lose money leased on. There are VERY FEW lease packages that are designed to make YOU money.
If you are debt free, you need a credit or fuel card that will carry 5-8k limit.
Keep your 10k and DO NOT spend it on anything. Use your credit card for expenses and pay off when due.
Your insurance down payment will probably be 3-5k.
Start running..CH Robinson, Coyote, Landstar. All can get you paid quickly for less than factor fees.
Fuel advances cost you money, use your credit card.
Congrats on your achievement. I started with a cabover junker and dry van junker. It takes a lot of work, but it is worth it to see it through.