How hard do you run?

[RostyC]

I would like to hear from everyone here, but I am particularly interested in those with their own authority or perhaps leased to Landstar, CRST Malone and the like, with more freedom of time off and loads taken. Of course Bedbuggers are always welcome to comment Do you push yourself as hard as some company drivers get pushed?

Also does anyone have information on being a contract carrier with Landstar? Not a BCO. This would be having your own authority. I take it if you are a contract carrier with Landstar you're not obligated to use them exclusively. How are their rates? And how are they to deal with?

[LOAD IT]

I run as hard as I can "legally" run my loose leaf logbook, have my own authority and have survived 2 DOT audits satisfactorily. I do whatever it takes to safely get the job done at a profit and I expect the same from my drivers and lease O/Os. I've had lease O/O's run hard for 2-3 weeks then take 2-3 weeks off. Come back broke and want me to buy their fuel, those guys dont last and give professional O/Os and professional drivers a bad name. I think a professional company driver will be productive and profitable and therefore he takes home a bigger paycheck. Just my 2 cents.

[Sonny Pruitt]

I have my own authority
I don't run hard at all
Mon start 8am del Ayer Mass , p/u Boston fish market get home 700
Tue start 5;30 am del 3 stops Jersey drive to New Oxford,Pa arr 4 pm
Wed start 5 am del New oxford dedhead home drop trl at customer home 2 pm
Thur start 9am del Ayer mass p/u burlington mass home 7(power only load)
Fri start 9am del Ayer mass p/u Burlington mass home 7 pm(power only load)
This is called "gentleman trucking" and my schedule seldom changes

A lot of times I run just 4 days and 1500-1600 miles.
Last week I ran 19000 and required a huge nap today

[Rev.Vassago]

Last week I ran 19000 and required a huge nap today

Wow - 19,000 miles in one week.

I'd love to see how you logged that. :wink:

[GMAN]

I would like to hear from everyone here, but I am particularly interested in those with their own authority or perhaps leased to Landstar, CRST Malone and the like, with more freedom of time off and loads taken. Of course Bedbuggers are always welcome to comment Do you push yourself as hard as some company drivers get pushed?

Also does anyone have information on being a contract carrier with Landstar? Not a BCO. This would be having your own authority. I take it if you are a contract carrier with Landstar you're not obligated to use them exclusively. How are their rates? And how are they to deal with?

I think most successful owner operators push themselves more than the average company driver, especially if they run for a carrier such as Landstar or CRST Malone. It has little to do with the carrier forcing them to run. That doesn't usually happen with carrier such as these. You are in business. It is up to you to get out and make something happen.

You can contract with Landstar to be a broker carrier. That is what they call carriers who broker their freight. Some of their rates are good and others are not. Again, it is up to the broker carrier to find the better paying loads. Most of the time, their rates are at least as good as anyone else. Often they are better. You are not obligated to use them or any other broker. They are supposed to pay a carrier about 7% more than their BCO's. Most of their agents are decent to deal with for freight.

[solo379]

Well, i run as hard, as i can, when it worth it, and take the rest of the time off.
Apparently, it comes to about a half of the year!

[BanditsCousin]

I run like hell when I'm under load. I'm o/o, so I'm "in it to win it"

I've joked with customer's before and said " do you want it fast, or do you want it legal?" :wink:

2 days straight driving is about the max I've done. The worst is when one delivery/pickup takes longer than expected and I end up driving all night to get to the next destination and have to lump furniture on no sleep.

Man, I am glad I'm back at college

[Sonny Pruitt]

thats right,19,000
read it again
I said I took a nap!

[Windwalker]

thats right,19,000
read it again
I said I took a nap!

Well... Let's see.... Average 70 Mph...
19,000 / 70 = 271.428571 hours
271.428571 / 24 (hours in a day) = 11.30952 days

So, running an average of 70 mph, and running 24 hours a day, it would take 11.30952 days to run 19,000 miles. (scratch head) So.... What's the "thrust" from your engines? And, what's your max "wing loading" per square foot? How does the price of aviation fuel compare with truck fuel?

[Windwalker]

I run between 3,000 and 4,000 miles a week. I've got truck payments to make. But, I only have 14 more payments to make, then I can slow down a little and take a few days off from time to time. I haven't taken a vacation in more than three years, so maybe next year, I'll take off for Christmas and New Years. See if I can still recognize any of the family. :shock: :wink:

The dog (my best buddy) hasn't let me in the house for the past 2 1/2 years now. I don't think he remembers me....

[marcel27208]

Im trying not to run hard but its that time of year............

i have 10 more payments on my truck and i can relax a lil bit.....

ran 2250 miles last week.... started everyday 0430..home everyday by 1530..... ive taken it easy plenty of weeks just running 1100-1200 miles then there are weeks i run 2400-2600 but still get home everyday

[Maniac]

I bought my truck new and picked it up in Dec of 1998, it is a 99 KW, I am the only one who has ever driven it.

It just turned 607,000 miles, I paid it off in May 2003 8) 8)

I ran 135,000 miles the first year and then less and less each year after that.
I'm lazy and I like it that way. Last year I ran 67,000 miles, still grossed over 100K 8)

[Sonny Pruitt]

I have 2 425 Cats bolted together

[RostyC]

I have 2 425 Cats bolted together

I like your style! 8) I reckon you got to lay down a nice patch of rubber so you tires got traction huh?

[Sonny Pruitt]

10 dash 4

[RostyC]

You know, instead of starting another thread, I'd like too add a question. How long do you stay out? and what's the reason?

[PhuzzyGnu]

Well, I only run 2,000 miles a week or so- though I've ranged between 500 and 2750. I get paid by the hour for line 4, and mileage for line 3. My company has zero tolerance for overly creative logbooking.

I am rarely dispatched in a manner that requires any hard rolling, though I have done 700+ mile legal days just to get myself back to get another run in before the weekend or to get back before the weekend (I usually have weekends off and burn my 70 M-F).

-p.

[solo379]

I'd like too add a question. How long do you stay out? and what's the reason?

3 to 6 days, mostly 3 lately!
Reasons?
1) As strange, as it sounds, i do have life, outside of a trucking! :P

2) I only move, when it worth it, since i can afford it(no, i'm not a "hobby trucker), just didn't see a reason to waste my truck, and time!

I could think of a couple more... if you want me to!

[RostyC]

PostPosted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:07 pm Post subject:
RostyC wrote:
I'd like too add a question. How long do you stay out? and what's the reason?


3 to 6 days, mostly 3 lately! Very Happy
Reasons? Rolling Eyes
1) As strange, as it sounds, i do have life, outside of a trucking! Razz

2) I only move, when it worth it, since i can afford it(no, i'm not a "hobby trucker), just didn't see a reason to waste my truck, and time! Very Happy

Ok, that's what I'm looking for. You guys are making good money without spending weeks on the road. 8)

[beachbum2]

I kinda like to run fairly hard for 2 weeks or so and stay home for 1 full week. Melon season in Florida , Ga I run REAL hard @ $2.60 mile plus for 5-6 weeks and take a good vacation at the end. Costa Rica, Cabo san Lucas or somewhere that's hard to pronounce. It's usually laid back, the gals are hot and the beer is coooooold.