Using own authority with Prime

You still have a choice on if you want to take their load or not. They do not force you to take their load. This way if their load is not the best paying one you do not have to take it. So they are not making the decisions.

Though I am sure there is a point when they might say, "ok, you really need to take one of our loads since you are using our equipment for free"

 

I doubt they going to let you use their equipment for free but if they will someone let me know so I can just use one of their reefers instead of buying one

 

From what I understand, if you are hauling a Prime load, there is no charge for the trailer, however, if you go out and find your own load and haul it in the Prime trailer, they do charge you for the use of the trailer. Not 100% sure on this though.

 

Get ready you are going to see more and more of this. I have seen this with livestock haulers for many years and now your major carriers are doing it, it takes the liability away from the carrier. Their is a food plant here that has been doing it for over twenty years, they have their own equipment for short or regional runs then have independent operators with their own authority to pull their trailers for long hauls. You have a contract for a set rate with fuel surcharge, lumper fees, etc..but you are required to carry physical damage on their trailer.

Their is a local flatbed outfit that I have talk to that is working on this also, your authority, their freight or yours and pull their trailer, their fuel card w/discounts for a fee. Haven't got all the info and they are working on all the details and are talking about trying it to see if it will work.

 

to me it sound like you would be better off buying you own trailer

 

Takes away the ability to do drop n' hooks. You're live load/live unload where ever you go.

 

I was doing the JB thing with my own authority, insurance, pulling their trailers to facilitate drop and hook. I had to add a 25K trailer interchange policy to my insurance. At 75%, I was making $1.45 to $1.90 a mile, utilizing their unforced dispatch(I always had a choice) and advance (50% upon loading) and 48 hour quick pay, versus using my trailer, hit and miss on the load boards, for $1.00 to $1.30 a mile. They have a decent enough program. This was not a lease, no term commitment, nothing forced, and quick pay. I personally have never been a fan of JB, and never thought I'd see the day that I would pulling on of their trailers, but they saved my ##### when I was starting to go under. As far as a trailer charge, there was none if I pulling their load, if not it was $21.00 a day. I never had to do that as they kept me moving. I decided to try something different and its not working out right now. I am seriously thinking of going back to the JB program. I am not a recruiter, not a rep, but an independant owner operator trying to survive until things get better.

 

I have not heard of the JB Hunt program. Can you send me a link for info, or a number to call on it? You will have to send it through a moderator for me since I can not do PM's yet.

 

When was it you pulled for them and did they give you an option for a fuel card or discount program?

 

you can go to jb's website & click on the carrier button on the top right side for more info.