Tell me where I am wrong with Landstar.

I don't have a problem with CEO pay other than in one instance, when the company is going broke the CEO gets a bonus. But, that is none of my business unless I am a stockholder. For some reason, many people seem to think that if someone is successful and makes a lot of money that they don't work.??!! I have never understood that logic. Most people who have achieved a high level of success or high income have made many sacrifices to achieve their success. You won't achieve high success by working a 9 to 5 job. You become successful by taking risks and working hard as well as smart. It is easy to complain about what someone else has or achieved. It is another to risk your own money and future on your dream. If you want to make a decent living, you can get a job with a company and let someone else take all the risks. But, if you want to mimic the success of others, you will need to be the one taking the risks and who is sacrificing. I never envy others for their success in life. It is counterproductive. Making a lot of money does not make you a better person, it only makes you financially comfortable.

 

Speaking of risks a friend and I came up with a great idea for a business and we have friends who are doctors, lawyers, and business owners who totally loved the idea. I think it would be very profitable but I am not sure I want to take the risk of leaving my job and betting everything on this idea to see if it works. It could be a billion dollar idea but since I cannot see the future I rather stay comfortable where I am at. Especially since I have seen other great business ideas that other people do not like so its one of those things where you have to bust your butt and see what happens.

 

I'm a company driver. I've earned about the same as other companiy drivers at the companies I've worked for along the way.

I knew drivers who had no rent (lived in the truck) no kids (no support payments) no car (lived in the truck) no life (no home, no family/friends, no car) who were broke.

Advancing their pay ad infinitum BROKE.

Then there was drivers who had a nice place to live, couple of kids, newer cars, newer clothes, took a family vacation each year somewhere nice with their kids abd earned the same salary as the aforementioned guy.

I have a friend who has the unique ability to have her whole paycheque up in smoke within a day or so of receiving it and lives week to week by scratching and borrowing from her friends, parents, payday loans, etc. I have other friends who earn far less and live comfortably.

Who knows? As long as you are profitable and happy with your success!

 

I don't know anyone who has achieve any level of success who has not taken a risk. You can sit back, take it easy and earn a good living working for someone else. Or, you can learn, educate yourself, save your money and start your own business. There is risk just getting out of bed in the morning. I don't consider being in business or starting a business as taking a risk. It is a risk, but life is short. If you believe in yourself enough and have planned well, you could be missing a great opportunity. I don't know you or your idea. It doesn't matter. What does matter is whether you have done your research, prepared yourself adequately and have a belief in your abilities to make your dream a reality. Successful people take calculated risks. You plan for success. While it may look as though some people fall into success, it rarely happens by accident. Successful people are strong planners. Having said all that, I know that not everyone has the ability or stamina or desire to make a business successful. That is something that each of us must decide for ourselves. Anyone who starts a business should do so with the thought that you will not be working a 40 hour work week. You will be working much longer. Some work 24/7 when they first start out. I don't necessarily believe that working 24/7 is necessary for success, but it is something that many people must do to make their new venture work. Realize that your expectations should be realistic. I always over estimate expenses and under estimate revenue. It is much better than doing the opposite.

 

One recommendation, NEVER take a cheap rate load.

Your records are viewable and if you haul cheap, the next LS broker will expect the same and it really can hurt future rate negotiations.

Good luck with LS but I's recommend being your own man with your own authority, being an approved carrier, not a BCO that relies on their loads and rates exclusively.

 

This is false

 

Except we have had it happen.
IDK exactly how they knew, but they did.
Just be careful.

 

You might of dealt with the same agency but with a different agency code like Gwynn or Little John, there's no way for an agent to pull up your past revenue with other agencies

 

some people are just LAZY and dont know how to do math or forecast hahahah

 

Three thousand a month? No.

No one ever likes what I have to say. My father was a trucker in 50s,60s and 70s. I saw some stuff. I met my husband and he had a great job, hauling cattle. I helped him with an audit, since he had his own authority. He wanted to go OTR. So, we did. Cattle hauling went bankrupt the next month. Nice timing!

We've always owned our truck and we leased a trailer. Leasing was too expensive and our agent wouldn't let us run. I also couldn't book loads. We sold his old trailer for a profit. Bought a new trailer and increased our percentage. Our old company/agency wouldn't allow us freedom. They also had safety issues.

We went to Landstar. First year was tough. My mom got sick, husband took a dedicated run because it was more hometime. He was assigned a trailer for a glass run. He spilled a load of glass and that run cost us money. Actually, the whole contract cost us money. No injuries, but it's a $1 million lawsuit.

We average 100,000 miles a year. We grossed $174,000 last year. We've been with Landstar for 4 years and own our truck and trailer. My husband generally works 3 weeks; home for a week. Sometimes, he's home on week-ends.

It's not unusual to shell out $6-$7,000 for a truck repair. I generally put back 10% in savings from every check, for the truck. I've seen guys get fired because they couldn't buy fuel. If that truck doesn't run, nothing does!

I feel better with $10,000 for the truck, sitting in account. Experience has taught me a load of lessons.