CharlesD
Expert Expediter
If you are thinking about taking the plunge and getting your authority, here are some things you should consider.
1. That magic load board where all the expedite loads are that you can just sit in front of until you have a good load......doesn't exist. There are some places where you can bid on listed freight, but if you think you're just going to be able to sit in front of the computer and watch all the freight coming your way, you'll be in for a surprise.
2. You're no longer a driver. You are now a carrier. Please keep that in mind when you bid on loads. What you considered a good rate when you were leased on to another carrier is a figure that you should just forget about. Carriers get more than drivers. If you want to run for a driver's rate, then just stay leased on somewhere and don't bother being a carrier.
3. Get a PO Box. Unless you're factoring all your freight, you're going to have checks arriving in your mail box. You never know if some nosy neighbor is going to help himself to a couple of them. Trust me. You don't want to go through that.
4. No rest for the weary. You're just as busy between loads as you are when you're running one. You can't just sit and wait on the phone to ring or the QC to beep. If you're not seeing loads online, you probably should be on the phone or pounding the pavement trying to drum up business. If you need your rest, try to have someone who can watch things for you if you have to get some sleep during the day. That phone call or email you miss could be worth a lot of money, but not getting your rest could be fatal.
5. Look like and sound like a company. People will take you more seriously if you have a business name and you sound and look professional. Once again, you're a carrier, not just some driver who happens to book your own loads.
1. That magic load board where all the expedite loads are that you can just sit in front of until you have a good load......doesn't exist. There are some places where you can bid on listed freight, but if you think you're just going to be able to sit in front of the computer and watch all the freight coming your way, you'll be in for a surprise.
2. You're no longer a driver. You are now a carrier. Please keep that in mind when you bid on loads. What you considered a good rate when you were leased on to another carrier is a figure that you should just forget about. Carriers get more than drivers. If you want to run for a driver's rate, then just stay leased on somewhere and don't bother being a carrier.
3. Get a PO Box. Unless you're factoring all your freight, you're going to have checks arriving in your mail box. You never know if some nosy neighbor is going to help himself to a couple of them. Trust me. You don't want to go through that.
4. No rest for the weary. You're just as busy between loads as you are when you're running one. You can't just sit and wait on the phone to ring or the QC to beep. If you're not seeing loads online, you probably should be on the phone or pounding the pavement trying to drum up business. If you need your rest, try to have someone who can watch things for you if you have to get some sleep during the day. That phone call or email you miss could be worth a lot of money, but not getting your rest could be fatal.
5. Look like and sound like a company. People will take you more seriously if you have a business name and you sound and look professional. Once again, you're a carrier, not just some driver who happens to book your own loads.
