RE: commission or per mile?
Turk:
You haven't provided enough information for anyone to give you a decent answer. The names of the companies you are considering would likely produce a response from someone who has experiwncewith the company.
Most carriers are now paying a flat, per mile, rate. Some, like FedEx Custom Critical and Landstar, pay a percentage of the tariff. or commission. Your commission should be in the neighbborhood of 60% of the tariff for you to get a fair piece of the action.
A simple answer is for you to try to determine your operating costs first, then find a company whose operating procedures will satisfy you needs. As a Canadian citizen you will have to be aware that you may not carry freight from a US shipper to another US company. Your only load choice from the USA is a load back to Canada. Will your carrier provide this opportunity? If not, you'll have to deadhead back empty.
You might want to consider attending an Expedite Workshop in Monroe Michigan next month. Check here for details.
http://www.expeditersonline.com/sub/workshops/monroe.html