The ugly truth about Landstar

After three years of chasing freight on spot market boards this is what I've done, found a business partner who has customers with high value loads who demand extraordinary service.... I just recently leased my equipment to just such an entity, after negotiating my terms and communicating my expectations I'm on my second load..... paying me $1.98 a mile for the round trip, (5,400 miles), they pay cargo/liability insurance, they supply the trailer, and provide fuel at no additional cost... additionally I have the freedom to secure my own loads via the spot market, in the event they don't have anything for me.... Which probably won't be too often, from the sound of it.... (what I hear)

Customers are the key to being successful, broker boards are typically backhaul stuff, not headhaul...... That being said, it is possible to carve out a nice living on the boards, there are gems buried in there, patience, and experience are the keys to success...

 

That's awesome that you found that opportunity. I've never heard of a carrier paying fuel before, except for reefer fuel. I'm still looking for the 4 day a week, all year long, home every night, netting $3k after fuel, dedicated run out of Orlando. I'm sure I have a better chance of finding a leprechaun riding a unicorn, pulling Santa's sleigh, but it's nice to have a dream.

 

You pay for the deadhead when you book the load, or a series of loads. You shoot for as much money as possible on every load. You set yourself where you think or know you can get more of the good stuff. For me personally the weight of a load is never a consideration. I don't care if they are heavy or light. The majority of what I haul is light but a rate is a rate, heavy or not, load it up... ...if you're paying a rate I don't really care.

 

I was going to clarify that, "and provide fuel at no additional cost", so as not to confuse.......

I pay for my fuel, but at no additional "cost"... some will actually charge you a fee to use their fuel card/account.... and, of course whatever additional fuel discounts they get they pass on to me....

 

Them paying fuel and cargo $1.98 on a round like that for power only is great money..

 

Oh ok, not as good of a deal as free fuel. LS gives you cost plus pricing with no fee to fuel. 1.98 guaranteed is darn good on 5400 miles for van. Is it team so you're home weekly?

 

I agree, it would be fantastic if they were paying the fuel also.....

But, I pay the fuel...

It just doesn't cost me any additional to use the card, (except a $1.00 transaction fee)... sorry if it was confusing, my last outfit supplied a fuel card at a $50.00 per week fee....

 

It's team, and yes, I can be home weekly if I want... but, we prefer to stay out and make money

 

As far as building relationships, that's how it used to be, now if you are specialixed you might get some preference but if you're just pulling general freight you will be lucky if the agent even remembers your name as soon as you are done with their load.....trailer maint. is an absolute joke, has been for years, that's why I bought my own after a year, tired of dealing with bad equipment and morons......been here 8 years.......first 2 years was great, 3rd year so-so, after that, well I will just say it's not near the same quality of a company as when I started. I've been here long enough so it still works for me but not feeling warm and fuxxy anymore.......

 

makes sense. if you are looking at $/hub mile, than you are taking everything into account.