What makes you think you will get screwed by a broker? Most are honest. There are some who are not. It is up to you to check the broker out. He will certainly check you out before giving you a load.

As far as taking advantage of a broker is concerned. If he asks for a rate and you offer a higher rate than he either wants or is willing to pay, he can always turn you down. The same is true when a broker offers you a load for an amount less than you are willing to haul. It is business. Most of the time when I have helped a broker move a hard to move or critical load, they are grateful I have helped them out of a bind.

 

You know something, I guess I am going into this with a negative attitude about brokers, I didn't even realize that. I guess from reading all the horror stories. But I guess that's becuase they are going to do what we do;seek the best deal for them and if I don't know what I should be getting paid then I guess that's my fault not theirs. Thanks for pointing that out GMAN.

 

Yeah, we know who rules that roost!!! Make sure you give her the whole paycheck and don't buy your cigarettes until you get your allowance. :lol:

Anyway, congrats!

 

I am sitting at the reciever right now and they are unloading.I had them take it early.I think it is important to book 2 loads ahead of every trip and this is what I have learned.The rate was good compared to all the rates I had mentioned for ex. hazmat, 43k, at only .87cpm ttt.That is crazy!I have booked 4 local loads and I hope on taking another journey next friday.It was an experience sitting at that Pilot for 4 days with only 5 bucks left in my pocket.

SAY NO TO CHEAP FREIGHT!The hell with that shipper who would not budge on a 1.46gross on a 43kibs of hazmat paint.

 

Don't get caught up on the insanely cheap freight, it's just going to be there. Not 'to hell with him', he's got enough problems of his own trying to move that freight for a price like that. You know, 'more power to you, dude.' You're off hauling somebody else's freight and he still has paint on his dock. Our problems start when we can't find what we are looking for.

I was up in MA or CT last year calling around to agents because I couldn't find a load. This agent up in NH starts looking around for loads for me (his initiative, he'd have made money if he had booked me). He calls me back and starts telling about this load to Laredo he found and how it's one pick, one drop, no touch, on pallets- loads really easy, not too heavy, but it is hazmat....

'So, yeah, what does it pay!?'
'$xxxx' (can't remember what it was)
'How much is it per mile?'
'Uh, let's see here, mumble, mumble...linehaul is $1.30/mile'
'Huh? Hazmat? Any fuel?'
'Oh yes, we can break fuel out of that.'
'Not quite what I'm looking for, you know, thanks anyway.'
'Oh yeah, well, alright.'

What does he care, right? He makes his percentage, he isn't buying fuel and tires! He got off the phone pretty quickly when he found out I wasn't that stupid. Guess he didn't want me telling the story and his agency code a hundred times- good for him, I've forgotten.

Enjoy Mama or Fido or anyone in Atlanta who loves you or at least puts up with you. :lol: Running shorties in the Atlanta area is an option. I don't know that there is a magic formula like two loads out but you try different things...

 

CAM, you mentioned Landstar forums, mind providing a link for that?

 

WWW.Landstarbroker.com

 

I always take advice from you CAM and thank you.I already know how to do load matching and I knew that before you knew how to spell landstar.LOL!

On a serious note.
I met a guy last week while I was getting my 120 day inspection at PETRO.When he realised I was with Landstar he came up to me to tell me his story.Landstar cancelled his lease after a shipper damaged his truck.I guess the forklift guy missed the bed and dropped the metal pipe on the side of his truck.This damged part of the sleeper,rack and battery box.He said he went crazy at that moment and due to this, the shipper called the cops.He said he threatened the forklift guy and he also m mentioned cust. serv. calling him and afterwards it was cheerrios for him after 3 yrs with Landstar.He just signed on with Jones Motor out in PA.He was also surprised Landstar never backed him up for that incident.He has hired a lawyer to get the shipper to fix his truck.
I went to CAB classes 2 weeks ago and the instructor discussed all these pay outs for these "no fault accidents" BCOs had with 4 wheelers even when these were non preventables.he also mentioned that Landstar has an image eto protect that is why they spend all these millions in settlements whatever the outcome.
Way too much beauracracy for me.They have already started sending me log violations and I have been going through my logs to see my mistskes.The CAB class also mentioned that Landstar gives only 18 violations in a 6 month period and anything more "you are gone".Not to mention the 2 DOT shut downs.As the days go by, I read comments from veterans like Gman on how to get their own authority.I am always thinking and how o to get to "greener pastures".Many told me not to buy an old truck, I defied that and they also told me about the hurdles I would go through in being an O/O.I defied all this and even people on this same board laughed on how I bought a POS equipment and how green I was.I defied all this and the only thing in between me and being totally independent is the insurance which is about $450/month and about $1700 down payment and I am glad I have my own base plat an MC #.I quit containers and signed on with Landstar but I know there are greener pastures out there.

 

I am glad you have been able to defy the odds, Henboy. I think Landstar has more rules now than they did when I was leased to them. They are getting as many rules as the government. :shock: There isn't much difference between leasing to Landstar and running your own authority. The extra paperwork and financing your business are the main differences.

 

1 post. Well, welcome. I had been posting to bcoforum.com. It's still a small board but there's plenty of Landstar to peruse.