Should i jump ship as an “indie” or buy a 2nd truck?long!
#31
12-22-2008, 12:59 PM
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. 
#32
12-22-2008, 01:18 PM
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.
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#33
12-22-2008, 02:16 PM
We too get a inspection done every 90 days but there are no "penalites" for failing,just need to correct the problem.
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#34
12-22-2008, 05:37 PM
This manager here likes to do things his way. He has no problem throwing a load on a local truck to haul.
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Space...............Is disease and danger, wrapped in darkness and silence! :thumbsup: Star Trek2009
#35
12-22-2008, 10:34 PM
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.
#36
12-23-2008, 12:02 AM
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. 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. 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. This is from the FMCSA site. Is this an accurate account of your answers? Yes? Click the "Continue" button at the bottom. No? Click on the incorrect Answer to start again from that point in the Assistant. 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 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.
#37
12-23-2008, 12:18 AM
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.
#38
12-23-2008, 01:03 AM
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?!
#39
12-23-2008, 02:08 AM
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. |
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