Parking For 4 months!

[xzostd1]

My truck is parked and I have discontinued my lease with Landstar. It costs me $.40 per mile for repair/replace and $.34 for fuel. I can find loads outbound that will NET just short of $1.00 a mile (impractical miles) which sort of work in a "work for free sort of way"
I was running military loads @$2.05 NET which are pretty much done since we just had a huge deployment out of WI.
My 01 Volvo and Doonan step are paid off which allows me to step back for a few months.
Landstar says they will welcome me back when I am ready....unless I buy a dumptruck!?
Bill

[GMAN]

So you are taking a break until rates come up? Have you considered getting your own authority or leasing to another carrier?

[sidman82]

The loads some Landstar agents have been posting in FL to the Northeast are ridiculous. Less than a dollar.
They were at a dollar or better last week and they must be moving them because they dropped the rate.

[Maniac]

unless I buy a dumptruck!?

Should be able to pick one of those up real cheap, since it is one of the most repoed vehicles out there, there are more tri-axle dump fleets in the repo lots than anything else.

As long as the housing market is like it is, a dump truck would be a dust collector, that is unless you really want to do quarry work, then you will find out what low rates really are.

[Mackman]

unless you really want to do quarry work, then you will find out what low rates really are.

Not Ture. My oldman had been an 0/0 of a tri axle dump truck for over 20 years. He hauls out of a quarry alot. 4 out of 5 days a week. He makes an avg. of 550-700 a day. That is also only working 8-10hr days. He just got his check yesterday i asked him what it was 2600. That aint too bad for April. Talk to MDkw. He is a 0/0 of a dump truck and makes out good. When he does hourly work it is 75-80/hr.

I guess it can also depend on the quarry as well.

[marcel27208]

ive got an friend leased to landstar,,he was pulling stepdeck until a few months ago when the rates dropped dramatically. He too headache rack off and started pulling vans.......i hear landstar rates are terrible right now!!

[xzostd1]

I was in the habit of quick trips out usually out and back home in 7 to 10 days, one trip every 3 or 4 weeks. With our slowing economy...not as many loads equal less choices and lower rates. Since becoming a O/O with Landstar I have been in the habit of not hauling commodities. I only carry three 16x18 tarps so a four foot tall load is the tallest I can tarp. I love the flexibility of Landstar in that I generally carry what I consider easy loads....no east coast, no ports, no California and ALWAYS my decision. I don't believe I could do any better with my own authority because of my part time style. This may sound crazy to some but I really enjoy trucking trips. Most of my loads are one of a kind equipment usually to/from vendors that are waiting for you as opposed to the whole factory commodity stand in line with 25 truck places.....its not just about the money....I just don't want to be losing money.
Bill

[marcel27208]

i understand that!!! im kinda of a part timer also....im on choice w/Schneider, im usually out no more than 3-4 days bring home about 1000-1200 after settin aside 300 per week for maintenance...i enjoy going/coming as i please......i dont think with rates the way they are i could do any better w/ own authority. GOOD LUCK BILL!!!! any plans?

[GMAN]

I have a couple of friends who gave up their authority a few months ago to lease to different carriers. Both plan on getting their authority back. I think you are in a great position to sit and wait for decent freight. Most are not in that position. They continue to take freight that doesn't pay them enough to pay the bills and make a decent profit. You cannot continue to operate by running freight that doesn't make money for your business.

[xzostd1]

Marcel27208 Tell me more about Schneider Choice...do they have step/flat freight??
Bill

[marcel27208]

Marcel27208 Tell me more about Schneider Choice...do they have step/flat freight??
Bill

no sorry all they have is van freight and i dont think they are hiring anymore for choice.......

this is a rumor ive heard, and ive talkd to me friend at landstar who said he heard this.....

Landstar and CH robinson joining together?? anyone else heard this???

[Walking Eagle]

My rig has been parked since before Xmas. Do go out and start it up occasionaly and sit and pretend I am going on a trip