Now that I have a good foundation, straight truck lined up and a biz plan, I am now ready to make the choice of a quality carrier. I have a good idea who I want to lease on with but I wanted to get a good unbiased opinion from you guys. Who is the best company out there that takes care of there drives and respects the O/O's biz plan?
OK. What is the best company to drive for?
- Thread starter CSiple
- Start date
Many things to think about 1st.
Are you going to be running team or solo?
How long do you plan to stay out?
I am driving SOLO and plan to stay out on avg. 2 weeks
No carrier will take care of their drivers unless if benefits the carrier to do so. They will not go out of their way, expend any time or money to see that you are taken care of, beyond that of what is good for them. Truck drivers are a necessary evil, and if they had trucks that could haul freight without having to have drivers, they'd be all over it. No matter who you sign on with, it is important to keep that one fundamental principle of the trucking business in mind. You may be leased on to a carrier, but you are out here running for yourself, never forget that.
Same with your O/O business plan. It's your business plan, not theirs, and as such they aren't concerned with it. They have one of their own to worry about.
Now, having said all that, the best carrier is the one with whom you can best work within their system to meet your goals and realize your business plan. For some that may be [insert carrier name], for others that may be you having your own authority and finding your own loads. No one can make that call for you. All of the carriers have their pluses and minuses, their warts that you have to contend with, and each and every one of of them will do things that absolutely drive you crazy. The key is finding the one that drives you crazy in a manner that you can live with, that has the least frightening warts, and has the most pluses versus the minuses.
No matter who you sign on with, learn their system, their rules and regulations, and learn them well. Once you know them, you can work within them, and use them to your advantage.
Good luck with that.
Same with your O/O business plan. It's your business plan, not theirs, and as such they aren't concerned with it. They have one of their own to worry about.
Now, having said all that, the best carrier is the one with whom you can best work within their system to meet your goals and realize your business plan. For some that may be [insert carrier name], for others that may be you having your own authority and finding your own loads. No one can make that call for you. All of the carriers have their pluses and minuses, their warts that you have to contend with, and each and every one of of them will do things that absolutely drive you crazy. The key is finding the one that drives you crazy in a manner that you can live with, that has the least frightening warts, and has the most pluses versus the minuses.
No matter who you sign on with, learn their system, their rules and regulations, and learn them well. Once you know them, you can work within them, and use them to your advantage.
Good luck with that.
CSiple
living so close to Houston, you could say you are at the end of the line, like Miami, Fl. Driving solo and this far out of the main lanes I'd consider a company that hauls freight in and out of the area that you live in. You will NOT be payed to drive home.
i.e. Kansas City to Houston, how much fuel and time on your nickel?
Also, 2 weeks out may be reasonable time out for you, but to make good money, consider doubling your time out, and try to find a COMPATIBLE partner.
The best company to drive for is the one where you make money.
Good luck
living so close to Houston, you could say you are at the end of the line, like Miami, Fl. Driving solo and this far out of the main lanes I'd consider a company that hauls freight in and out of the area that you live in. You will NOT be payed to drive home.
i.e. Kansas City to Houston, how much fuel and time on your nickel?
Also, 2 weeks out may be reasonable time out for you, but to make good money, consider doubling your time out, and try to find a COMPATIBLE partner.
The best company to drive for is the one where you make money.
Good luck
RLENT
Veteran Expediter
Tennesseahawk
Veteran Expediter
Surprised no one has come up with this yet. Why not find an intrastate company to run for? You stay in TX, have the potential for decent miles, and can be home pretty much when you want.
Thanks Turtle,
This is about the best info I could have asked for.
I will consider all this during my selction procees.
I will let everyone know my decition in the next couple of weeks, I am not rushing anything at this point.
Thanks again!
Chris
Jefferson3000
Expert Expediter
The best company? The one you haven't driven for yet....
Seriously though, there are options for you. What has been said about being at the end of the line IS true, but there are possibilities. I like what T-Hawk suggested. Whether just an in-state carrier, or an interstate one, finding one that is based in your area may be key. They don't need to be huge to be a good fit. You may actually be more likely to find a small carrier that will be accommodating to your locale than one of the "big guys."
For those that may ask, no, I am NOT recruiting anyone from TX today.
Seriously though, there are options for you. What has been said about being at the end of the line IS true, but there are possibilities. I like what T-Hawk suggested. Whether just an in-state carrier, or an interstate one, finding one that is based in your area may be key. They don't need to be huge to be a good fit. You may actually be more likely to find a small carrier that will be accommodating to your locale than one of the "big guys."
For those that may ask, no, I am NOT recruiting anyone from TX today.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
Solo in Texas,my friend,all I have to say is good luck.Do you realize the expedite business is hauling freight that is needed in most cases right away.A solo can't cross the state of Texas over night,and expedite freight usually loads in the afternoon,when shippers find they can't get their loads covered by a regular carrier.Some of the Expedite carriers do intrastate Texas,but the problem your going to have is being a solo driver.The HOS is going to hurt you big time.
Like I said good luck,and welcome to EO
Like I said good luck,and welcome to EO
You'll be challenged to try to be home every 2-3 weeks. There is freight into Houston/Dallas/San Antonio to get your relatively near but not huge amounts of it. Getting out will also be a challenge. If everything goes perfectly, and that means literally perfectly, you could make Memphis before the HOS clock runs out but any problems at all and you won't get there. That can get you out of Houston though to do a swap, provided there isn't a team sitting near Houston to take it all the way wherever. Depending on which company, you may be better off heading to Dallas and that will make Memphis a little easier but may increase the number of competing units. There's no great answer for Texas and you need to be flexible on the times home so you can get there mostly under load. Bottom line is the answer to your which is best question is the same as the answer to how high is up. Good luck.
Let me see if I can help you. 1st.. this is a good board and I stay in the back round and read a lot. 2cd... often, people who post here want to offer everything from why you should not drive to their pant size without ever trying to answer your question.
That said...
As a solo driver in a straight truck, I would say...
Polly Express
FDCC
Load One
Express One (only newer trucks)
Bolt
Landstar
Ask those Driver's and Owners
BTW... no one gives a sh** about your business plan. It is YOUR business and your plan.
A simple way to look at this is that All of these companies are merely BROKERS. They offer you a load and you accept or decline. That's it, short and simple. No one wants to babysit you. All the other crap you read here from drivers concerning the lack of dispatchers and brokers 'understanding' and having 'sympathy' is just that.. 'crap'
Welcome to Expediting. Now, go out and run a load.
Be well.
That said...
As a solo driver in a straight truck, I would say...
Polly Express
FDCC
Load One
Express One (only newer trucks)
Bolt
Landstar
Ask those Driver's and Owners
BTW... no one gives a sh** about your business plan. It is YOUR business and your plan.
A simple way to look at this is that All of these companies are merely BROKERS. They offer you a load and you accept or decline. That's it, short and simple. No one wants to babysit you. All the other crap you read here from drivers concerning the lack of dispatchers and brokers 'understanding' and having 'sympathy' is just that.. 'crap'
Welcome to Expediting. Now, go out and run a load.
Be well.
FDCC, Landstar?
Based on MY Opinion which is what the guy was asking for. I ran for FDCC and for the most part treated me well. I am not there anymore but it was a good run. Rates have gone to hell (but who's has not?)
Landstar has always been strong BUT, they are sitting a lot now but the runs they do get a usually better than average. AGAIN, my opinion.
Solo's always have a tougher time. You just have to be better than the average bear
Ask the owners and drivers...
Based on MY Opinion which is what the guy was asking for. I ran for FDCC and for the most part treated me well. I am not there anymore but it was a good run. Rates have gone to hell (but who's has not?)
Landstar has always been strong BUT, they are sitting a lot now but the runs they do get a usually better than average. AGAIN, my opinion.
Solo's always have a tougher time. You just have to be better than the average bear
Ask the owners and drivers...
gotta go
Veteran Expediter
This is a thread you may have missed because it was in the Newbies forum. Hopefully you'll be able to see posts that fit in with your specific needs. http://www.expeditersonline.com/forum/newbies-paradise-forum/39523-why-do-you-drive-company.html
You might want to check out Beeline in Houston. I ran for them back in the 80`s. Could be a whole different story today.Bee-Line Delivery Service - Houston San Antonio Austin Texas same day and overnight delivery