What exactly is fsc and how is it calculated?

Everyone here is right to a point. Many brokers and companies look at the FSC calculated weekly by the govt. as their profit on the load.
It's not intended that way and many good companies/brokers do not take a percentage of it at all. They make their profit off of a percentage of the linehaul rate, and pass the FSC onto the truck.

If your percentage of the linehaul (after brokers percentage is deducted) + the FSC isn't a good rate per mile,,,don't haul it!

Any good company will tell you what the current FSC is and they shouldn't be taking ANY of it.

 

This is spot on. I've done many quotes. The formula should use a lower mpg than what you actually get to cover deadhead and out-of-route miles. Another good maxim is to ask for an extra dollar for every cent fuel goes up for each trip day. So if fuel goes up 10 cents per gallon on a two day trip, ask for $20 extra. This will cover your increased fuel cost if you get at least 5 mpg for up to 500 miles per day.

 

Hey how do you get those long term contracts?

 

Or they make a lot more....when they get paid. If the other guy is saying he is making $3000+ for 1000 miles, he might move 4 loads for $3000 each, but only get paid on 3. So in reality he is only getting $2250. In their eyes they are making more than you, but in reality they are risking it all. What if two loads at the inflated rate don't pay, then that guy can't afford insurance, is looking for someone to lease onto, starts factoring, etc.