Why should I get My Own Authority

You run the show, plain and simple. Make money, lose money, do good or bad, the person responsible is looking right at you in the mirror.

It's a much larger responsibility than being a company driver. Paperwork, taxes, IFTA, IRP, maintenance etc.... there's quite a bit to be concerned with, but to me, it's all part of the reward. I believe you have to be pretty motivated and really WANT to be an O/O to be successful.

 

Hi Gears, how've ya been? Im working on getting my posts up so I can start private messaging, but had a couple questions for you. You stated that you get most of your loads off of load board wich I will be doing the same myself very soon. How many of these brokers offer a fuel surcharge or how often did you recieve one when you first started getting loads off the boards, and also do you have any identity protection for yourself or is that needed in your opinion when going through various amounts of brokers etc..? Thanks for the replies Gears and ill be seeing you on the road soon!!

 

now my friend gears is telling you like it is, having your own authority makes you an independent , you can haul what you want for whoever you want and you name the price if its to cheap you dont have to haul it your decision you are the company and the boss its all up to you.

you will hear a thousand reasons why not to get it but when the smoke clears if you get your authority you make more money with a lot less work.

as far as working for a broker , nothing wrong with that either ive used them for years and still do and vary rarly do i lose money and when i do i get it back course the broker isent happy when i do but o well and it dosent take you long to pick out the bad ones and there really not as many bad ones as people think.

as far as a fuel charge well most do give a fuel charge and they are spposed to but some do not.

and yes there is paperwork but you have to do paper work anyway and it it is not that hard and it is rewardng, with that authority you call the shots , all of them your the boss win or lose youare in fact the boss and there is nothing quite like being independent you will love being independent.

best of luck to you my friend. southernpride

 

Hey!
As far as fuel surcharge, if there is one, it's included in the rate that I'm quoted. As far as identity protection, I'm not sure what you're asking about. When you get a load from a board or a broker that you've not worked with before, there's a contract to sign and references that are exchanged. I provide a W-9 with my EIN for tax purposes. There's no bank account or social security numbers involved if that's what you're concerned about. Each broker and carrier has their own MC number.

Hope this helps... where are you in the grand scheme of getting your Authority and such?

 

Unless you have moved the same load in the past how do you know if they made a price adjustment for fuel?

If the broker tell you $1.50 a mile, that is all you get, but if he tells you it pays $1.25 + .25 FSC does it make any difference? If you never moved the freight before you just don't know.

 

That's right. Chances of me moving the same load however, are pretty pretty slim. I just try and negotiate the highest rate. If it's acceptable, I take it. If it's too low, I don't.

 

With the risk of sounding like a smartA$$ which not the intention, In my opinion if you have to ask why you should get your own authority, makes me think you may not be ready to get it in the first place.