So you want to "own " your own company

That Highway tax looks awful low for running so many miles in a month.... just sayin'

 

Thats why i said it that 1.70 is including the fsc thats low and if its not thats pretty good depending on what he pulls. There was no mention from him after i said that about fsc being included or not so we all figured it was since the rate we say is including it all the time.

 

Can new drivers get into the owner operator busines and find brokers to run freight for???im asking this question because I've been a diesel mechanic for over 10 years and just started driving 4 months ago.. I want to go on my own and wondering if would be possible??

 

The short answer is YES. There is freight to haul and you will need to hone your negotiating skills. From your post I assume that you want to get your own authority rather than leasing to a carrier?

 

That is correct. I will run under my own authority.im just a little nervous to put out $$$$ and then not be able to get freight to haul.thanxs

 

It can be a little stressful when you venture out into unknown territory. It takes a little time to establish contacts. You didn't mention the type of freight that you want to haul, but you will need a trailer. Right now there seems to be plenty of freight. Rates are all over the place. Some brokers may not want to load a new carrier until they have had their authority active for at least 6-12 months. Most won't care as long as you have active authority and current insurance. Once you get your authority you may want to subscribe to a couple of load boards and start calling some of the big brokers, such as CH Robinson, Landstar, Schneider and a few others. You can post your truck availability on the loadboards and should begin to receive calls from different brokers. Most of the larger brokers also have their own loadboards. I would suggest that you check them out very thoroughly. The big brokers you should not need to worry about, but I still keep a check on them. I have a friend who rarely hauls for anyone but CH Robinson. He gets good rates from them and has been doing business with them for a number of years. He has one direct shipper, but still needs help getting back to his freight.

There are a few major carriers who are doing power only for those who have their own authority. JB Hunt and PTL come to mind. I am sure that there are others. You pull their trailers.

It will take a few months to settle in and to get a feel of what it will take for you to be successful in this business. You are starting at the best time of year for freight. Things tend to slow in December until after the first of the year.

 

G/man thanks for all the good info.all info is greatly appreciated!!!i'm almost positive that I will buying a used flatbed .the guy I turned wrenches for last also had a dozen trucks that did local flatbed hauling steel to construction site in NYC which I did for 2 months but I needed the some otr experience so I started hauling a reefer unit for another company.Ii would love to go back to flatbed I don't mind getting out of the cab and chaining down a load although tarping a load sucks but you do what you have to!!!!

 

You are welcome, Jerzy. I still prefer open deck trailers. It can be aggravating in the winter and bad weather and can also be difficult in the high temperatures when you have to throw the big tarps. Still, I prefer it.

 

hello i have been reading your threads and you have given me a lot of insight but i have a question i have my own authority just got it but i do not have a trailer yet is it better to have my own trailer or is it better to run drop and hooks with companies trailer?

 

You will want to have your own trailer. Without you will be at the mercy of the power only programs.

But I have to ask. What was the plan in getting your own authority?