I got my experience from watching my Dad. Hes been a bedbugger all his life, so I spent my summers with him. My mother also accepted a position at a United agency when I was 10 and still works for an agent. Bedbugging isn't something you can just go into. With United I've done a few days flatbedding and a couple runs of dry freight in addition to HHG. Mostly, I pull a 51' or 53' van. As far as expenses, it varies. I probably pay better than my competitiors, but I use "special" lumpers....
By special, I mean guys my Dad has used for years; guys that don't work at moving companies, but "professional" lumpers. Example: Pheonix, AZ- 2 guys and me, 5000#....$120 each? Nope, they had to have 140. These guys ran circles around me, even jotted a few things on my inventory while on the phone with a coordinator from the booking agent. When you are already drinking at 11:30am and the truck has been weighed and rated, thats damn good 8) Same thing in Okie City- 5 guys, $200 each... 5pm start time....truck is pulling away at 11:30 with the beds set up, and all debris removed and pads folded. To make $12/hr from me, you must suck.
What the bottom line is depends on a few factors as well, but I'm not out here working everyday either. Some days are layovers where I'm going to the mall or sightseeing (or trying to get some of Teal KW's gf's to take me out on the town