Landstar Express America

crazytruckin · Jul 3, 2005

Been considering going to Landstar Express America with my D-unit and when talking to a couple of other LEA drivers they seem to all have nothing but good to say about them; but there are few out there.
Also, not much conversation about them on this forum. Since I haven't seen anything to speak of on this forum (especially in the negative context) could it be there is nothing negative or nothing said possitive because they don't want more competition from another driver (team)? I'd sure like to hear some feedback. Thanks

LDB · Jul 3, 2005

I'm not with them but have heard good things from them. I got to talk to one of their drivers while waiting on service at Bentz. He was as busy as he wanted to be and happy. I've been thinking about putting my next truck on with them and comparing to this truck for 90-120 days and then deciding which company to move which truck to. Good luck with your decision.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

Glen Rice · Jul 3, 2005

I was at Landstar for 8 years and you will do just fine! They don't talk about what there doing or how well there doing for a reason, greed!! They got a good thing going, so go on over and make all the money you can working as hard as you can. You are only limited by your ability to say "I need a rest!"

KYoung · Jul 5, 2005

I've been working for LEAM for 2 years, I have a D and B unit on with them and I love it. The draw backs, They don't tell us what to do, They tell us that our trucks are our business and since its our business we do what we want. If you want them to tell you where to deadhead to or what loads to take, forget it they won't do it, however, they do give us tools to find the best locations to get loads.

They are picky about things, the hiring process, and then getting your paper work done properly and on time. They audit you each month, logs (matching fuel receipts with logs), maintance reports, 120 day inspection, everything. If your not organize and run legal you can forget it. They are this way because of the safety rating they have, we don't want it to get messed up, it keeps the DOT off our backs.

I wouldn't want to drive for anyone else.

Just a few thoughts

geo · Jul 5, 2005

if i hadn't gone with egl i would have gone with landstar express america they have a good program once you learn the in and out's
you will do ok just have to learn the system like at any place you may go to

once they get to know you and can count on you when you say you will do it and make them money to

simon says · Jul 5, 2005

They don't have much freight north of Kentucky. If you like to stay out on the road for weeks and months at a time, then you may do o.k. Most of their freight is in the south, and there is a lot of deadheading after loads are delivered to a better area. It is not uncommon to find 10-15 trucks around Charlotte or Atlanta. The agents have the loads, expect to spend a lot of time calling them to see where to go. Sister freight (Ranger, etc.) is on the cheap, and without a tandem straight, you might as well forget it. LEA is not a company with a lot of two-way freight, unless everything falls into place. Some on this site are distributing past info. Freight rates have remained the same or fallen over the fuel cost bubble. FSC rises, but the base rates agents charge must have been cut. Just a reality check.

davekc · Jul 5, 2005

Freight rates have remained the same or fallen over the fuel cost bubble. FSC rises, but the base rates agents charge must have been cut. Just a reality check.

That information is correct.
This is the same information I have received when ocassionally booking a load through one of their agents.
As mentioned in a earlier post, freight out of Laredo last month was being hauled by Landstar at well below a dollar a mile.
Tough to cover costs at those numbers.
An earlier post indicated a contract change as well because of the ongoing class action suit filed by OOIDA.

Davekc
owner
20 years

The Gibster · Jul 6, 2005

So just out of curiosity, are the Landstar brokers grabing NLM Laredo loads at under a buck a mile, or do they get their own network of shippers to agree to these rates?

I could see this really slamming the typical NLM carrier that openly bids loads on the boards.

The Gibster

miko · Jul 6, 2005

Ok, Landstar has no backloads and do they pay deadhead miles at all or just nothing???

So, they want you to do whatever, because it is your truck, so does that mean they will not look for loads, they will have you go wherever you want to go, and find out the hard way if there is loads outa there or not??? What kinda goofy game is this???

What are those dispatchers paid for???

davekc · Jul 6, 2005

So just out of curiosity, are the Landstar brokers grabing NLM Laredo loads at under a buck a mile, or do they get their own network of shippers to agree to these rates?

NLM works on a bid and point system.
If you are a carrier with the best points and the best (lowest) bid, you are awarded that load.
I am sure their in house customers pay better. There is not likely a bid process on those loads.
My information comes from more broker/agents rather than drivers.
I don't drive or have trucks with them.

Davekc
owner
21 years

crazytruckin · Jul 7, 2005

To all who replied to my post, thanks. I spent some time with an LEA team the other day and they are very happy and they are not O/O's. The recruiter I am dealing with though, said fuel surcharges are the same for all loads but it seems this is not true. I am concerned about what was said in the posts about Laredo loads out paying less than $1.00/mile. Also, dealing with these agents still bothers me. After 5-1/2 years getting loads "offered" over the QC, having to be pro-active and calling for loads all the time scares me to death!! If it is anything like dealing with brokers (as we occasionally have to do now for backhauls) it really worries me.
Well thanks again for the comments.

davekc · Jul 7, 2005

My understanding is they do pay a surcharge on their loads (full truck load & expedite). I couldn't tell whether it is the same for company trucks or not. When I broker loads through them, they are not the same percentage everytime. Partials or LTL loads have no surcharge. Those in general are flat rate loads.
At under a dollar a mile from Laredo, these were likely that type of load. Although they could as well have been NLM loads. Many of their loads do pay way above that. I don't know what their medium is for their drivers.
Not only Landstar, but numerous other carriers will run loads out of certain areas real cheap. I know they don't have to accept that load or rate, and there is no penalty. But, that leaves you with DH out of an area or securing your own load.
Again, my understanding is they do get some loads via QC, but the majority you set up with their agents. It would seem labor intensive, and require time to develop relationships with their agents.
We know several drivers there, and like any company, some are happy and some not. The archives on here (EO) may have additional information. I would focus on the last 12 months for accurate info.
I quess it depends on what you are seeking.

Davekc
owner
21 years

KYoung · Jul 13, 2005

Ok let's see. First LEAM allows drivers to make descisions on where to go. We have a private web page that shows how many loads have come out of a particular area, we can also find out who had those loads, how many trucks are there ad how many are on their way there. We can then call the agents to see what they project happening with them out of that area.

Loads do come out north of Kentucky and they go that way too. I live in Ohio, we get loads in and out of there all the time. The reaso so many Trucks are i Charlotte and Atlanta is that they have a lot of loads out of those areas, I've never sat more than 12 hours before I've gotte a load out of there. Some of those areas also have agents with their own trucks, doing local and regional stuff, things the OTR drivers don't want to run.

Loads paying less than a dollar, I don't think so. Most of the loads we do are around $1.30 and up. I have gotten many loads out of Laredo that paid better than $1.50 per mile. We are actually running a load we picked up in Eagle Pass going to Detroit it pays $1.33 loaded mile of course .21 of that is FSC. This load is o the down side of it because it is a regular customer so the agent cuts them a break. But we still average $1.00 per mile including Deadhead miles, and I still haven't found any other driver that that much usually they all average .85 on all miles.

The loads that Landstar brokers out are naturally going to be cheaper, because both Landstar and the agent are going to take their cuts first, they probably figure it at 62% of 80% of the gross thats the standard for brokered loads.

KYoung · Jul 14, 2005

Oh yeh, As far as deadhead goes some of the agents will pay for deadheading.

One recurring thing I see is that some are under the impression we have to find loads. If your talking to the "Carrier Group" also called "Logistics Group" thats Ranger, Inway, and Ligon then yes they must go to the load board and find their own loads. Express is treated as a whole different company, the Agents call us, with load offers, the loads aren't put on a board. I still call agents to let them know I am in an area or moving to an area so if they have any offers they can let me know, its more of a courtesy call.

Most of the loads are regular customers, A few will go to NLM to find loads out of an area that we typically don't get loads out of. The only agent that does it quite a bit is Detroit, and the pay is typically $1.30 per mile.

Tennesseahawk · Jul 14, 2005

Sure, calling agents is a pain in the butt. And looking for your own loads takes alot of time away that you could be digging in the buffet. I for one believe that getting spoon-fed loads over big brother qualcomm is the reason rates throughout the industry don't go up. Sure, it makes things easy. Remember... this isn't the 90's anymore. An easy job doesn't pay big bucks.

Landstar is the cream of the crop as far as expediting goes. People who can't make it there are most likely those who've been spoiled by dispatch. Only drawback I see is their safety and logs (if what was said here is true). I don't need someone micromanaging where I take a leak. ;-)

Loose_Cannon47 · Jul 14, 2005

Regarding the Ranger agent that I am familiar with, they regularly page trucks or drivers call them directly looking for loads...some drivers still use the Landstar board, but it isn't absolutely necessary in order to get a load...probably depends on the agent..

Loose