Should i jump ship as an “indie” or buy a 2nd truck?long!
 

All equipment paid for.
At 36, married with no kids and I am seriously looking at my future of just sitting back and dispatching 2 trucks as Merrick,Gman or bigD.Not necessarily trying to be like them but I think I have put in enough time to be able to do so.


I was planning on jumping ship to an “indie”.After 8 months of constantly
talking to people and checking out every avenue and site, I have finally decided to jump ship in February.
With a credit score of 810 across all 3,my quote from Northland a month ago was $5600, which is much cheaper than anyone I have talked to.
This includes collision (truck and trailer 30k),100k cargo and 1 million liab.As I have stated many times, I have always had my base plate.I have also saved 6 grand for this “l
eap” .This will include $2500 for the insurance down payment at $400/month,$500 for miscellaneous(load board,KYU permits,signs,1st month of IFTA,1st year inspection,BOC 3 and other petty expenses)expenses.The next $3500 will be for fuel for 3 weeks until the checks start coming in.I don’t run hard and so I plan on running only 1800m/week and this will be around $1100-$1200/week in fuel .I figure I can probably make about 35cpm more being an indie than where I am.I figure, if I am paying $3500/yr to my company for insurance,HCP,LCN,IFTA,Transflo why not pay $5600/yr to be an indie with about 35cpm
mre in gross.I have had accounts for
www.eflatbed.com
getloaded.com
internettruckstop.com
chrobinson.
I have monitored these sites for about 5 months and I have even called about the same loads that was posted on landstaronline and on getloaded or ITS to verifiy the difference in rates.There is room for neg. with your authority and deadhead is less and not to forget the actual miles on ITS and getloaded (most miles posted is close to hub miles or ms street and trips)compared to the straight line miles with LS.




It just dawned on me last night.I have a friend who is dieing to drive for me.He is currently with Hornady pulling those BS lumber and tarping.I am also thinking about getting a 2nd truck where I will let him do containers(I did that for 8 months before quitting)locally and only base plate it for GA,TN,AL,SC,NC and FL which will cost about a grand with actual miles stated.This guy seem to change jobs and in only a yr of getting his CDL,he has already
been with 5 companies.I think I can put a leash on him if he works for me.He pretty much listens
to everything I say except the many carriers he went with in only 1 yr.
.
I may need to teach him more about securing complex machinery as I have mostly done with landstar and if I let him pull this stepdeck.



The main question is, should I go get my AUTHORITY or add more to my saved money and get a 2nd truck for this guy to run containers with and then wait until maybe april to go independent.So, it is either get a 2nd truck for containers and stay where I am until maybe April or forget the 2nd truck for now and just jump ship and then buy the 2 nd truck in april.I am looking at what may be more wise and less of a risk.With the snap of a finger I can get a truck for less than 10grand which can run OTR.The long term for this 2nd truck will be to haul reefer since it will be harder to find drivers willing to pull flats or steps than a van/reefer.BTW ,I am currently studying the reefer market.
90% of all BCOs know their cost to operate and so that is elementary.
What do you think as far as my future plans?Sorry for the long post.

I've heard those with their own authority say it sometimes takes more like 30-45 days for their first checks to start arriving, unless you would consider factoring, then I guess your first payments would be alot sooner. Didn't want you to underestimate how long it might be before you start getting paid.

Just curious, you mention paying 3500 per year to LS for "insurance,HCP,LCN,IFTA,Transflo". What are HCP and LCN?

I would feel more comfortable getting the authority first, run for awhile and then add the second truck if things still look and feel good.

You don't really have to look for trouble that hard! When the time comes, it will find you anyway!

I thought you happy as a pig in slop with that new step Hen.

I think if you base your business plan around $.10/mile profit on all miles, you'd ne in the ballpark. You might get more, but better safe than sorry. There are sooooo, many more expenses that you have when you start hiring drivers. You really become much less efficient.

They will break stuff.
They will get poor fuel mileage.
They will want to be paid to wait.
They will want to be paid to tarp.
They will run up your cell phone bill.
They will drive OOR to "go by the house" get more miles in less time.
You will need to test for drugs.
You might need a GPS tracking system like Merrick has.
They will have accidents and your insurance will go up.
They will get speeding tickets and your insurance will go up.
They will pi$$ off brokers and shippers and you will lose accounts.

Anyway, I have some questions:

-How much (on a per mile basis) do you figure your costs are now?
-What are you averaging per loaded mile now?
-What are you taking home (before taxes) with LS?
-What are you averaging per mile including DH now?
-How much do you think you'll be able to get per mile with your own authority?

I can only speak for round trips from Baltimore, Phillie to Ontario, Canada, but stepdeck freight is being offered at $2/mile these days. Then you're looking at $1.50 and 75 miles of DH. So you're looking at $1.63/mile for all miles on that rounder. Fuel and driver will eat up $1, leaving you $.63 to cover all your other expenses.

Ahhh, yeah. Right. Sometimes we can even negoiate UP to what the LS BCO's get, but we never get more. The agents favourite line is, "I'll put it on a Landstar truck before I pay that."

That is true.

[/quote]...and not to forget the actual miles on ITS and getloaded (most miles posted is close to hub miles or ms street and trips)compared to the straight line miles with LS.[/quote]
This was meant to be funny right? You still need to map the route on the software to get the miles. Even if the website is close with the miles, the broker will post different cities to shorten the miles. This is tough enough to do for yourself, and nigh on impossible for a second truck if you're driving truck 1.

I will try to answer all the questions in one response
Redclay the LCN is the load subscription/load alert which is 3.69/week and the HCP is the occupational hazard at I think 31.99/week.


Quote:
I have even called about the same loads that was posted on landstaronline and on getloaded or ITS to verifiy the difference in rates.There is room for neg. with your authority...

Ahhh, yeah. Right. Sometimes we can even negoiate UP to what the LS BCO's get, but we never get more. The agents favourite line is, "I'll put it on a Landstar truck before I pay that."


Rank, without you and I going back and forth I have been on both sides of the fence when it comes to dealing with our loadboard and ITS/GL.Every call I made on LS board has almost no room for negotiation except when they see your truck and call.Go ask the guys on www.bcoforum.com
Yes you can negotiate with our agents but at what percent statistically speaking or out of a 100 calls you make to these agents as an outside carrier can you negotiate.


Anyway, I have some questions:

-How much (on a per mile basis) do you figure your costs are now?
-What are you averaging per loaded mile now?
-What are you taking home (before taxes) with LS?
-What are you averaging per mile including DH now?
-How much do you think you'll be able to get per mile with your own authority?
I don't think I want to post what I make per mile unless I am the REV or Steve, but I will tell you what, with my own authority my cost per mile is $1.02

Rank for your info:Approved Carriers only make 80% of the money.For example, I see a load from atlanta to houston from our landstaronline.com for 1750 gross and that same load on your carrier board will be posted for 1450.I am getting 75% X1750 and you're getting 1450.


Pros with LS
1.Your're paid weekly
2.You haul many machinery and military loads that independents usually do not haul.The closest outfit that usually hauls machinery than LS is Bennett.
3.The gross rate on ITS/GL is about 10cpm less than what is posted on LS board.
4.you get paid weekly and you money is guaranteed
5.LCAPP helps you in loaning you funds to fix your equipemment at a low interest rate.

Cons:
1.They nickle and dime on deductions and I know many BCOs who have about $450 deductions/month
2.You better send in your 120 day inspection,truck/trailer monthly report and logs on a timely manner or they will put a block on your fuel card.They are very strict when it comes to compliance as they say on their trailers.
3.More deadhead and especially now a days in these slow periods, and imagine being paid on straight line miles.(more like 100+ miles on the flats side per load)
4.I could barely book 2 loads in advance.
5.The agents are not as regualated as the drivers.
There are many but I cannot get into all of them.
I have studied Gl,ITS,MembersEdge,CH robinson and Eflatbed rates and so I can pretty much conclude on LS rates to the outside world.

Personally I am jumping because I don't have to answer to the 120 days but rather yearly.There are too many deductions and I hate dealing with compliance.The difference I will make in the rate is about 25cpm with my own authority.
I am leaning towards not buying a truck as two members mentioned on here.

I am doing well with LS but I need more freedom to do what I want to do and God forbid, I am not signing on with another carrier and I will have enough money to wait 20-30days to get paid.
If I had to pay 8000-9000 for insurance for my business, would stay where I am but at 5600 that is a deal.My gross is more compared to when I started hauling platform freight and bought my trailer.
LS is one of the best trucking companies out there but I can still do better.

If you run your own authority I would suggest you not jump in to buying another truck until you settle into your new venture. We are in a troubled time. Freight and rates are down considerably across the country. Running your own authority would offer you more flexibility on the type of loads you can haul. There are a lot of brokers who handle military freight other than Landstar and Bennett. Mercer does a lot of military freight as do others. Landstar has been doing quite a bit of double brokering the last few years although most of their agents will deny it. Most of the larger brokers offer quick pay for a discount on the bill. Most want a discount from 1 1/2-8%. You can also factor some of your loads to get started. If you plan on financing your own receivables I think you will find that you will probably need more money to run you than you have shown in your numbers. At current fuel costs it is easy to spend $2,000+- per week for fuel for each truck.

It will take longer than you think to get the money coming back in. Most brokers pay in 30 days. That is 30 days from the time that they receive the bill. If you send the bill right out count on up to a week for them to receive it. If they pay in 30 days and mail you a check then you are looking at about 6 weeks to get the money coming back, minimum. The greatest challenge new people have is financing their business.

I believe I understand the system. I don't think the agents don't have any rules to follow when dealing with LS approved guys like me. There is no firm fixed rate (like 80% or any other AFAIK).

I was talking to an agent a while back who he told me that he makes more money by selling the load to a LS approved carrier (for less money) than he does selling it to a BCO. They always try to peddle the loads to LS approved guys for less than what they pay you.

I moved a bunch of AC units about a year ago...we got less than the BCO's did.

But maybe I'm wrong so let's try this as an experiment. What does Landstaronline pay you for the load currently posted from Lexington Park, MD to hastings, ON?

As far as all of my other questions about what your current costs are and what your projected earnings as a carrier are....well I was just trying to get more info to answer your original question. I doubt if anyone can give you a truthful answer without that info.

Rank, there is no such load posted on www.landstaronline.com.Maybe it is offered to you guys and not us and sometimes vice versa.You can give me more examples and I will check.Yes, we all know they make more brokering the loads to approved carriers.Years ago we use to get a shot at the loads before it hits the carrier board but now things have changed, it sometimes hits both boards.I mentioned regualated as far as strict guidelines with the agents dealing with BCOs or the agents having rules to follow just like the BCOs.We can both call about loads posted on both boards, yes the agent will prefer an approved carrier but if they have a direct shipper they are more scared to put that load on an approved carriers truck than a BCO.This notion goes both ways.few agents have told me this.


If you run your own authority I would suggest you not jump in to buying another truck until you settle into your new venture. We are in a troubled time. Freight and rates are down considerably across the country. Running your own authority would offer you more flexibility on the type of loads you can haul. There are a lot of brokers who handle military freight other than Landstar and Bennett. Mercer does a lot of military freight as do others. Landstar has been doing quite a bit of double brokering the last few years although most of their agents will deny it. Most of the larger brokers offer quick pay for a discount on the bill. Most want a discount from 1 1/2-8%. You can also factor some of your loads to get started. If you plan on financing your own receivables I think you will find that you will probably need more money to run you than you have shown in your numbers. At current fuel costs it is easy to spend $2,000+- per week for fuel for each truck.

It will take longer than you think to get the money coming back in. Most brokers pay in 30 days. That is 30 days from the time that they receive the bill. If you send the bill right out count on up to a week for them to receive it. If they pay in 30 days and mail you a check then you are looking at about 6 weeks to get the money coming back, minimum. The greatest challenge new people have is financing their business.

GMAN,Your advice is well taken and I also believe that I am not ready to buy 2nd truck.Like I said above, I do not burn $2,000/week in fuel and only around $1000-$1200/week at 1800m-1900m/week and so $3600 for fuel (and $3000 for insurance and miscellaneous)for about 3 weeks while factoring 1 or 2 bills should be enough to get me going.I know BCOs who went independent with only $5200 before their Base plate.


There are many disadvantages on both ends.
For ex.... as a BCO, you see the load online and the rate is right infront of you and 90% of the time you cannot negotiate unless the agent calls you.You then get more details on the load that was never posted ,give them your company name(Ligon,ranger,Inway etc..),truck and trailer number and then they later finalize you in the system.

Another example:As an "independent", I called a couple of brokers that will keep me busy from GA.She wanted to know if I wanted to keep my truck busy and I said "yes or a frequent run".I expected what her response was.She goes on to let me know how busy they can keep the truck and send me everywhere at an average of 1.69.I told the fool I will send in my W9,insurance,and authority after I recieve her contract via fax.This ass kept calling to me make sure I got those docs.I definitely cannot run my business with those rates but I have so far found 4 brokers that will keep me busy and I need about 3 more to go.



Then as an Independent, sometimes you sit all days waiting for a confirmation sheet/rate agreement after you fax them your W9,authority and insurance.Some may say Landstar is better becasue you can keep moving quicker since you don't wait.This is true but I bet you, most of the times you cannot book 2 loads in advance on 2 800+mile runs.It is more like one 200mile run and maybe an 800+ mile run.
Not too many options, and this is what I am giving up, but I also have 30 days to come back if this does not work out.
I was just giving the disadvantages and advantages on both ends

I don't sit all day waiting on a rate confirmation. If a broker is taking that long they are trying to find someone who will take the load for less than you. Unless there is a good reason for a delay you should have a rate confirmation in a few minutes. It should not take more than about 20 minutes in any case. I usually don't set up with a lot of brokers until there is a load that I want to haul for them. Most brokers don't want to expend the time to set you up in their system until you take a load. You could set up with a few of the larger brokers such as Landstar, CH Robinson, etc., but I would not waste a lot of time setting up with brokers that you don't know if you will haul for them or not. Since you are already with Landstar that would be a good place to start. You already know some agents to call for freight. Whether it is Landstar or some other broker there are loads they will not give you until you prove yourself. I have gotten loads before due to my safety rating. There are some brokers and/or shippers who will not do business with you until you have been in business for at least a year. There isn't much difference in leasing to Landstar and running your own authority. There are differences in that you have more options for freight as an independent. You also will need to do more paperwork as an independent. As an independent you don't have the safety net of a carrier. You are the carrier. Landstar charges you 2% off the top for insurance so you will not really be paying much, if any more running your own authority than you are as an independent.

I would not necessarily count on any one or handful of brokers who tell you they can guarantee that they can keep you busy. This business changes daily. You can sometimes book loads in advance, but most brokers don't want to book anything too far in advance. Some of them don't even get notice of loads until they receive an email or fax from the shipper. When they are notified they may only have a matter of hours to get a truck to the shipper. You can sit with Landstar as with any other carrier, especially when you are in a bad area or the economy is soft. And you are not going to have a good feel of how it is to run your authority in only 30 days. I would prepare for at least several months. If you should decide to go back with Landstar they will still approve you as long as you left on a good basis with them. If not, there are plenty of good carriers who are always looking for good owner operators. There are some where you can earn just as much or more without all the hassles and nickel and dime charges. I am not down on Landstar, but there are other options.

I'd wait till march or april, february is generally pretty quiet for open freight and there's a lot of competition for what is available.


Good luck HB

First of all most ins. companies won't let anyone with less than 2 years verified driving work for you, so forget your friend. I got authority in 96 and still have it. While still maintaining my ins. and authority I am leased to someone else because I was working to hard to find good loads. Right now broker freight is down. I worked with many good brokers thru the years but when it's a shippers market as it is presantly they can't help much. I went from 1 truck in 96 to 7 trucks in 99 (3 mine- 4 lease operators) I did well but life is much easier now. I do highly recomend you taking the plunge but not right now. keep saving, don't bother checking on rates as much as freight availabilty. The more loads out there the higher the rates. One more thing, the more work you can do on your own equipment the better chance you have of surviving. Also on the landstar issue. For a period of two years we had a steady run going thru landstar. The rate was very high and to my knoledge it was never offered to L.S O/O we did three or four a week and if we couldn't get to it they would change p/u or del. time so they wouldn't have to put it in the system. I got the impression than that they were't very faithful to thier own. Sorry for the long winded answer but now is not the time. I think if things turn around it will be like it was in the '90's when even slow people like myself thrived.

2009, or 2010 possibly...

Doing a search of available freight on L/S for flat/step in a 50 mi. radius of Chicago turned up 47 loads this morning, I've never seen less than 130 or so. I'd say it's pretty slow, up where I live (nw of Green Bay, Wi.) it's worse, I guess I'll have more time to get things done at the house.

I also think it is a good advice to wait until april.
Chief, are these loads on the broker side or the BCO load board.I am currently at home and I am quite scared to go out there and get stuck with someone else' cheap freight.I am trying hard to book 2 loads ahead before leaving the house and be back in at least 10 days.

henboy,

The above post is well said. I cannot comment on the flatbed/stepdeck side of the business as I do not have any experience in that world. But in regards to starting out, sign up with the big boys, CHR, TQL , Landstar etc... and yes they do have cheap rates, but you can always negotiate with them.... and you don't need to worry when the check will arrive or if it will be good....

This is why I made my decision
 

Step/Single Drop Deck/flat Loads posted
starting within 100 miles of ATLANTA
1.www.landstaronline.com
25 loads posted within the last 3 hrs

2.www.getloaded.com
70 loads posted within the last 4hrs
3.www.eflatbed.com
1 load posted within the last 4 hrs

4.CH ROBINSON
2 loads posted within the last 4 hrs

5.www.internettruckstop.com
91 loads posted within the last 4 hrs.
6.memebersedge
31 loads in the past 4hrs

BCO board HB. I'm not in too big a hurry to go out there and sit given what is showing up in the Chicago area either. Like I said earlier, I have plenty to do at the house to keep me busy for a while and I have cash squirreled away so I'm not too worried for now.

When you get moving with your gig and if you aren't afraid to tarp call 2 Brothers Trans in Ca. ask for Frank, you could also call Aloha Freightways in Addison, Il. ask for Jim. Both these co's move a lot of ltl tool machinery and the rates can be pretty good.

If you're feeling really ambitious go online and search for used tool machine dealers either on Google or Thomas Register, many of the smaller dealers have a hard time getting carriers that are worth a darn, the ones I dealt with when I was an indie could be demanding but it was worth it.

Sounds like RSL or TD. Or maybe Bennett. :)

Some brokers have more freight away from their home base than they do near them. I know some Landstar agents who do that.

So that PO'ed customers are less likely to show up at their doorstep???

LOL

Best reason I have ever read, leaving because you can get 2 less truck inspections a year.

Freedom? Heck you don't have to check credit, bill, handle claims or legalization,free drug tests, If you think that LCN fee that is killing you wait till you see what some brokers want to charge you for a advance.

Henry do you not understand that the good loads are not posted or are on the boards a very short time.(all the boards)
Booking 2 loads in advance is good security, but if you would just take a good load out then set a call alert with a high rate and be flexible about where you go, pro baby raise your bottom line by .50 per mile.

But.we all know the only way to make big money in trucking is to have your name on the door so go for it. If your safety rating isn't in the toliet LS will hire you back.

Yep. The rates are just way, way better as a carrier. Heck all we need to do when we call the GL and ITS is say "NO, NO, I want the CARRIER rate", and they cough up another 25%. And all that administration stuff doesn't get in the way of driving time at all. There's plenty of time to do that after a 13 hour day.

Apparently there is not a shortage of sarcasm....

Actually there's a ring of truth to those comments

Heavy Duty, your lifestyle is different from mine.BTW, I passed by you on the turn pike about 3 months ago (OK turnpike and you had OK plates on your trailer)along with your heavy haul equipment and nice truck running empty with your wife.I blew by you hauling container chasis that were stacked on top of one another on my step and heading to one of those houston container yards.

The main purpose of this thread was for an update:
Mind you that I have 30 days to come back if things do not work out, and yes I have a prestine record with them as I recieved their "safety award shirt"

My wife is 3 months pregnant with twins and I am soo excited.I am 36, and this will be the first for both of us.I know this will take a toll on both of us.I would like to be around during the child birth etc..I am realising that, I cannot do OTR as I would like after april, as I will have to jump ship sooner or at least start the process.I am about to call Northland to make sure my quote stands at 5600.I plan on doing this for just a month(FEB ending) with my own authority and then get this driver in the truck.In 6 months time, I can then get myself a 2nd truck to drive and be home much often.
I don't care what anyone says but no one can be home a week at a time being leased on to LS and running platform freight.

I currently have access to all these sites and so sitting and DH wouldn't be much, as I am doing that currently with LS' one load board.
getloaded
ITS
membersedge
eflatbed
Ace Doran Hauling & Rigging Welcome to Ace Doran Online
Available Freight: call 1.800.869.0969 for Central Dispatch

Anderson Trucking Logistics Services - ATS Logistics
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Cardinal Transport, Inc Cardinal Snowfall Scene
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Central Refrigerated Services, Inc Central Refrigerated Service, Inc.
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Chuck’s Transport Chuck's Transport Inc
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C.R. England England Logistics - Competitive Supply Chain Command
http://www.crengland.com/el-tools/in...broker/brk_map

CRST Logistics CRST Logistics
Welcome to CRST Cargo Connection: The Transportation Solution

FreightFinder.com Truck Loads freight available at Freight Finder

Hicks-Co Inc Hicks-Co., Inc. - a Transportation Broker
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J.B. Hunt J.B. Hunt - The Transportation Logistics Company
http://www.jbhunt.com/loadposting/lo...thod=editBegin

Jones Motor JONESMOTORLOGISTICS.COM
Available Trucks

Landstar http://www.landstarbroker.com.com
LandstarBroker.com Load Board - Search Available Loads

Liedtka Trucking, Inc Liedtka Trucking, Inc. - Trucking - Flatbed
Liedtka Trucking, Inc. - Flatbed - Freight Available

Lone Star Transportation Lone Star Transportation | Specialized Flatbed & Heavy Haul Trucking Company
Web'nTransit Brokerage Loads

Marten Transport, Ltd. Marten Transport, Ltd.
http://www.marten.com/availableloads...able_loads.asp

Mason and Dixon Lines The Mason and Dixon Lines, Inc.
The Mason and Dixon Lines, Inc. - Approved Carrier

Maverick Logistics Maverick Logistics LLC - The Industry Leading Flatbed Transportation Management, Brokerage, and Customer Support Supplier
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Melton Logistics Melton Logistics
Melton Logistics - Avaliable Loads

Mercer Transportation Mercer Transporation Company
Mercer Transporation Company

Pacer Pacer Transport - A Pacer International Company
Pacer Transport Load Board

P.A.M. Transportation (East Coast Logistics) P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc. - Our Service Makes the Difference
East Coast Transport & Logistics, Inc.

Prime inc Prime Inc. Home Page (truck driving school - truck driving job - truck driver jobs)
PRIME.LoadMover.com

Sammons Trucking Sammons Trucking - Your Source for All Trucking Needs, Fleets, Missoula Montana, Transportation, Heavy Haul, Loads, Freight, Recruiting, Driver Application,Jobs,Owner,Operator,Drivers,Trucking Jobs,Truckers, Flatbed, Stepdecks,Tractor,Trailer, RGN ca
Sammons Trucking - Available Loads

Schneider Logistics http://www.schneiderlogistics.com
http://www.schneider.com/carriers/Fi...city/index.htm

Ultra Logistics Ultra Logistics
GoUltra.com - Available loads

UTI Transport Solutions UTi Transport Solutions
Find a Load - UTi Transport Solutions

Werner Enterprises Werner Enterprises - Home
Werner Enterprises - Available Loads
Boyd Logistics http://www.myflatbed.com/cgio/bl.pgm

Reed Transport Service Reed Transport Services, Inc.

Trinity Transport [tticarriers.com]

I understand that you want to be home with your wife. I also understand that you want to find a driver to put in your truck and and then purchase another truck for you to drive. If you plan on running your own authority it is very difficult to find the better rates for more than one truck when you drive yourself. You won't be able to be as proficient at driving or dispatching when you do both. There are additional costs and time involved when you run your own authority. The driver you hire may cause your premiums to go up. Northland has raised my insurance premiums twice in two years due to driver turnover. This year it was 30% higher than last year. I received a letter from them this past week that informed me that they will again raise my premium due to driver turnover. I have been with Northland for 4 years and never had a claim or moving violation ticket with any of my drivers or myself during that time and have an excellent safety record. All drivers have had a good MVR. I don't think my turnover is out of line with the national average. Another thing to keep in mind is that your rate will double for 2 trucks. If you can keep the $5,600 rate for one truck the rate for two trucks will be $11,200. Insurance companies don't give you a break for having multiple trucks unless you have many more than most of us. If you are making payments on your truck you need to ask yourself if you can still make the payments if you lose your driver. It isn't always easy to find qualified drivers. Northland is VERY picky about whom they will accept. Another thing to consider is how you will pay for breakdowns while on the road. Some garages or dealers won't accept a credit card on the telephone. I have my own fuel cards and can use those accounts to pay for any breakdowns using TCH or Fleetone checks. If I am the one driving I may use a credit card. I had to put a fan clutch on one truck yesterday. There always seems to be something that needs to be repaired on a truck. You will find that your truck will need more repairs when you put a driver in it.

I am not trying to discourage you from running your own authority. I simply want you to understand that there is much more to it than leasing to a carrier. Most carriers handling a lot of paperwork and details that drivers or owner operators don't realize until they jump in to running their own authority. You will need to keep more records and file your own fuel taxes. You will need to join a drug consortium. There are other things you need to do when you run your authority. One thing many over look is logs. If you don't check driver logs and get audited you could be fined thousands of dollars if logs don't match up. I know of one woman who had about 5 trucks and was fined over $10,000 due to a couple of log violations she didn't check. As a new carrier you will go through an audit. They are getting everyone during the first 18 months of operation. That also takes time. I think most new independents over look or don't think about having to pay out all these additional costs or the extra time involved in running the trucks. I spend most of my time on the telephone and computer during the day. Freight is down and I won't run my trucks for less than a certain amount. It is time consuming during good times, but with a slow economy it takes much more of my time to find decent paying loads. That is something you should prepare yourself for when you run your authority. You can run multiple trucks through Landstar. There are other carriers who will also welcome multiple truck owners. In fact, it might be an easier transition if you put a driver in your truck while still leased on to your carrier. It will give you a good feel of how it will be having a driver in the truck. You already know their system and they pay all the expense of authority, such as insurance and safety. You can still find loads for the truck as you do currently.

assistance with questionair
 

I am pretty much aware of the precuations you have given me.I have tried 4 times to find a driver for my equipment through classifieds and load boards by going through my company.They all failed because of the strict requirements of this company.To really get qualified through LS I need to feed them with at least 25 applicants.I know the insurance premiums on a driver will also be more with Northland but the question is how much more.I am about to find out next week when I call the agent.Gman, I have no truck or trailer note and that is why I have sat the whole of DEC.I can't even get out of the house without knowing I will get stuck somewhere.Getting stuck somewhere and having a huge repair bill is nothing new to me.How about being stuck in Hayden , Az because my fan clutch,solenoid and switch went out.Petro, in Eloy charged 2300 to fix just that.I have been stuck 4 times and that is nothing new.I will defintely jump ship in 6 weeks.
I need help with these answers as I have posted them and I am not sure.
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Question Answer
Where is your company headquarters located? United States
Will your company operate commercial motor vehicles?* *This includes any vehicles that you own or lease. Yes
Will your company EVER transport cargo or passengers across State lines or outside the U.S.?**This does not include property or passengers carried under a lease agreement with another motor carrier. Yes
Does your company plan to transport Hazardous Materials? No
Will your company operate as a Hazardous Materials Shipper? No
Will your company’s services ALWAYS be leased to another motor carrier that has a USDOT number? No
Will any of your vehicles weigh 10,001 lbs. (4,536 kg) or more? Yes
Will any of your company’s vehicles weigh 26,001 lbs. (11,801 kg) or more? Yes
Will you be operating vehicles designed or used to transport more than 16 passengers (including the driver)? No
Will you be operating vehicles designed or used to transport 9-15 passengers (including the driver)? No
Is your company based and operating solely in Hawaii? No
Will your company ever be paid to transport property as part of interstate commerce?**This does not include property carried under a lease agreement with another motor carrier. Yes
Will your company be paid to transport ONLY exempt goods? No
Will your company be paid to transport passengers in interstate commerce? No
Will your company operate as a Freight Forwarder with a motor carrier in interstate commerce? No
Will your company operate as a Broker for a motor carrier in interstate commerce? No
Will your company operate Cargo Tank Facilities? No

HB1...I understand why you want to do what you are thinking of doing...I just don't understand why now.

The economy stinks, and it will continue to stink for the next 4 to 8 months for various trucking firms. Yes..under your own authority you will have free reign...however...those 120 day inspections Landstar makes you commit to have done something...they have kept you out of trouble. They have kept more money in your pocket than you understand.

That list of brokerages you posted is impressive. I see half a dozen on there that will steal you blind, and do it with a smile. That is the way they operate.

Two Brothers out of California, that Chiefwhatdahey told you about, they are a good brokerage to work with, especially if your willing to do LTL flatbed freight. As Chief said, Frank is a great guy to work with, and if you do enough work that he gets to know you and trust you, he will call you before any of his freight hits the boards, including DAT. He and his brother are big on small operations over big ones.

Landstar, Mercer, Jones, Sammons, Lonestar, CRST and Schneider National are all good brokers with good rates to outside flatbed carriers. Their checks are always on time as well, and do not bounce.

The brokers of flatbed freight on your list which I have reservations about, I would say in a email, but not on an open forum. There is one there though who liked to have crapped a brick when I showed up on his door step with a court claim. He couldn't believe someone would fly from Seattle to his home base to file on him in court. Wasn't thrilled when I insisted on a Cashiers Check for payment either.

I still wouldn't choose to go Independant at this stage of the game..but to each his own. Does your wife work? She better have a decent job to carry you through.

I am just making preparations at the moment
 

ORANGE, I am not jumping at this time but I am making preparations to fully be out of the system by mid march/april.Next week will be to the county clerks office for the business name and this week will be another quote for myself and this particular driver to see what i will be paying.No, my wife does not work and she is going to school for an RN degree.She has at least 2 more years to graduate but she can work in a year(after birth) with her cosmotology licence.


The 120 days is a good idea but not always.Have you ever had an inspector threaten to fail you because you're missing a reflective tape at the back of your headache rack or one at the back of the trailer?What about sleeper airbags which i believe is soo petty.Go explain that to LS, and you better not fail because they would want every damn reason for failing.
BTW, I know a BCO who sent 8 drivers through LS and they all got turned down.

I can understand the sleeper airbags, if they are leaking. That will get you a noogie in most any DOT inspection, just because of the air loose.

The reflector tape? No..never had anyone say a word about missing reflector tape...but then...I don't believe reflective tape is required on the headache rack of a truck..not sure...and not looking it up.

I get a full DOT every 90 days at the terminal shop, here where I am leased into. If the truck does not pass the inspection, I have to get the repairs made, then once it does pass inspection get to "sit" another 4 days as a "fine" for failing the inspection. In fact...I am headed in to the terminal now to get my 4th inspection of the year done.


It's nice to see that you are confident in your ability to go "Independent" and provide for your family and the family of a hired driver, with just one unit. I'm still puzzled as to why you feel that confidence, given the doubts you had just one year ago...but I will still wish you good luck.

Wait, what?......that seems a bit much,bet if they had a hot load and you were the only one around you would all of a sudden become available.

We too get a inspection done every 90 days but there are no "penalites" for failing,just need to correct the problem.

This manager here likes to do things his way. He has no problem throwing a load on a local truck to haul.

I would expect everything to take twice as long & cost twice as much. that is how I plan things. learned lessons the hard way long ago.

If you think Landstar is difficult to get drivers qualified just wait until you submit one to Northland. I believe Landstar only requires 1 year of otr experience. Northland requires a minimum of 2 years experience. They will also ding you on your rates if you have driver turnover. I am looking for another insurance company as I write this. I am tired of all the huge premium hikes when I have never had a claim or driver who has had a moving violation while with me.

To give you an idea of what my premiums have been since I have been with Northland, they have been approximately as follows for the last 4 years: $5,500, $3,955, $6,060 and if I continue with them next year the premium should be around $7,500. That cost is per truck. It includes $1MM auto liability, $100M cargo and collision.




I believe the questions you listed are those asked to see whether you need motor carrier authority. It is not the application you fill out for motor carrier authority. Just answer all questions truthfully to the best of your ability.

Great West Casualty is not any better.......

That is not good news, BigDiesel. When I received the letter from the underwriter I immediately sat down and filed a formal complaint with my state department of insurance and banking. If enough of us actually took the time to file a formal complaint with our state regulators and elected representatives we could effect some changes. If you think taking some time to write a letter or make a phone call doesn't work just look at all the changes we have gone through in our hos rules in the last several years. A small group of organizations with a couple of members make some noise and we have changes. Imagine what could happen if only a few thousand drivers started to get involved?!

I can't watch even one load board and drive a truck. It's almost a full time job for me to dispatch and invoice for two trucks (only 400 - 500 mile length of haul, load one day & empty the next, so this keeps me hopping). When I hit the road in the third truck, it doesn't take long before all three trucks are empty.

I have no idea how you will be able to drive and keep yourself loaded, much less two trucks. It is impossible IMO. You will need to rely on a few brokers to keep loaded and they will ratchet the rates down on you over time.

If you want to be home more (which I agree with) I suggest scraping the idea of a second truck and getting a local driving job instead. Maybe not as sexy, but you will make more money with less stress and it might save your marriage not to mention your life savings.

This can go bad on you in a hurry.

Again, this just my opinion.

It is very difficult to dispatch more than one truck if you drive one yourself.