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 :lol: 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 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.

 

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

 

Wow - 19,000 miles in one week.

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

 

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.

 

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! :lol:

 

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

 

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?

 

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: :roll: :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.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: