Should I go to another company or Landstar?

The thing about Landstar is that you have to do your homework and actually take time to figure out how the system works, It isn't just picking things off a load board (but for those comfortable with that, they amazingly seem to make money.

The first thing that you have to get through your mind is that this is an agent run system, the company has no freight per se, almost all of it comes from agents who for the most part look for Landstar trucks but will use other companies to get their freight moved.

Then you have to decide if you want to be a business or just a truck because there are times where agents will screw you as they have with others, sure there is the company to fall back when it comes to the money part for most times but until you build a reputation with some agents( you won't with many of them), you will work a bit more to build that list of agents who are good along side of your no haul list where you never haul for those agents.

 

It sounds like Land star is an honest company but some of their agents are not.

 

U haft know your overhead.

 

I am an O/O and I am not governed but spend a lot more time driving 60-62 than 70+. Fuel is generally the second largest cost to a driver. I want a large difference between the money I make and the money I burn through the smokestacks. Your issues seem to be speed and hometime, not the reasons to go get an authority.

 

I understand I just want the extra speed to go around texters and senior citizens instead of holding up traffic as I pass for 10 minutes. I plan on going the same speed as you for the most part.

 

That's the only thing I need speed for, passing.

 

Most of what everyone said is correct. BUT i will say this no wife, kids, mortage? Good credit money in the bank. Man you are a dispatchers wet dream. If you want to buy a truck buy it!! Dont buy new and dont buy old get a 3-5year old truck. The bugs should be fixed and paid for by then.
Yes freight and rates are low right now. Feb and this time of year are always the low point. Dont listen to the Obama haters. An election year is always slow at first. No matter who is in office. It was for Regan,Bush sr,Clinton,w,and Obama.
But with your situation your in position to overcome and thrive.

 

Hey Now!!!!!!! Florida's not that bad running

I'm led to believe Florida is just bad on spot market freight. Surely you've seen the beautiful long noses with split tandem chrome reefers down here with non apportioned plates. Everyone says Florida rates suck.. But in reality every percentage rated lease operator running "Dry Van" for Don Gingerich, E Transport, Exxact, Casino Transport, and others (Can't speak for them)... Are doing fine.. Some might even say terrific. Back to topic though. 90k in capital. You'll do just fine. Entered this business over a year ago pulling containers for first 8 months with garbage capital and im still out here GL

 

Yes you do and you need to know how to market your services plus know how to effectively run a business. One of the biggest failures for a BCO is not keeping track of money, there is so much money to be made with them and if done right, it isn't hard to pay off trucks in a short time - yes plural trucks.

The downside to the company itself is how they can have a habit of siding with an agent where there is a dispute, but this goes back to making sure you have a track record of communications. For example when I was on the road, I would always write down what the agent said and repeat it back to them, then ask for an email from them to confirm all of it. I had one issue with one agent who said X and delivered Y when I first started, so since that time, it was easier to just have them email me the info in case I had to take it to the company.

The other agent issue I had was having one call me with a load and tell me he will confirm it in less than 30 minutes, after 30 minutes to me means no load so I called another agent and booked a load with them. As I was leaving out for the booked load, the other one called and said it is all set - an hour he said he would call back, so I told him too bad, and he screamed at me about fighting for the load, and all the other BS and I simply told him never to scream at me again and that there is a word he needs to learn, communication. I hung up the phone and put that agent on the never to haul for list.

their fees and other things get offset with discounts on tires and such, don't really need to worry about collecting, I get paid no matter what so it all comes out in the end on my side.

 

Is there a forum one can go to find bcos inputs on agents maybe something practical like a real list?