Seeking info on forming my own authority.

[RandyH]

I own a Promaster CV and am interested in going independant. I am currently signed on with a carrier (Panther). Would really appreciate info on what I need to set up my own authority. Both legal requirements and recommended additions.
I'm also unsure of the difference between MC and DOT and which one (or both) that I would need.
Personal experience advice is very welcome but would also appreciate resource links as I tend to analyze things to death before making a decision.

 

[fastman_1]

I own a Promaster CV and am interested in going independant. I am currently signed on with a carrier (Panther). Would really appreciate info on what I need to set up my own authority. Both legal requirements and recommended additions.
I'm also unsure of the difference between MC and DOT and which one (or both) that I would need.
Personal experience advice is very welcome but would also appreciate resource links as I tend to analyze things to death before making a decision.

Look up John Mueller, that's his wheel house here.


Sent from lost in space.

 

[JohnMueller]

Thanks for the referral Fastman. Hope all is going well for you. I am still working on my new company, and Authorities and Licensing will always be something I will do for customers. I have some really great ideas I am working on in the safety realm and will primarily focus on that. The Transportation Station should be open soon and we will have a couple of folks that are experienced in licensing and permitting on staff. www.trans-station.com
Thanks,

 

[Turtle]

as I tend to analyze things to death before making a decision.

As part of your analyzing things to death, don't forget to to analyze where your loads will be coming from, and how you're going to collect timely payments for them.

 

[JohnMueller]

Turtle is correct. Finding loads, billng and collecting your money are just small parts of a large equation. Over the years I have had many, many clients obtain their authority and have no clue as to all that is involved. I've also had many that were successful growing to a certain number of trucks - usually 15 or less - and then discover that the headaches did not compensate them adequately and returned to owning 1 truck and driving it themselves. Everyone has different levels of knowledge and skills. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses. Do what you are strong at and enjoy doing and realize that you should hire out the parts you don't understand or don't enjoy doing. Keep an open mind.
Thanks,

 

[RDDM TRANSPORT]

Your authority will allow.You to run for more than one carrier or find your own loads. Which increases your load volume and pay.

 

[BigStickJr]

Your authority will allow.You to run for more than one carrier or find your own loads. Which increases your load volume and pay.

It will also increase your risks/costs.
Do you have time and energy to Chase people that don't want to pay ? Handle your own claims?
Be sure to pay yourself a nice dh when needed.
And pay yourself for dry runs, even when the customer refuses to pay.

 

[Andyinchville1]

I have my own authority but it was because my carrier (well company that holds the contract I will help service) wanted me to as part of their requirements for being able to do the contract....

Being that they had nearly a 30 page contract and info pkg on me and made me carry every insurance known to man (including a commercial umbrella !) I could or maybe should hunt for my own gigs directly from shippers but I'm going to start just letting them pimp for me until I get 5 trucks rolling (I have 3 now because they said they'd start me off with 2 but want me to go to 5 ASAP) then I may start looking around BUT it's hard when the big boys get contracts at the national / regional level.

FWIW - the carrier is XPO...

Andrew

 

[NorthernBill]

I have my own authority but it was because my carrier (well company that holds the contract I will help service) wanted me to as part of their requirements for being able to do the contract....

Being that they had nearly a 30 page contract and info pkg on me and made me carry every insurance known to man (including a commercial umbrella !) I could or maybe should hunt for my own gigs directly from shippers but I'm going to start just letting them pimp for me until I get 5 trucks rolling (I have 3 now because they said they'd start me off with 2 but want me to go to 5 ASAP) then I may start looking around BUT it's hard when the big boys get contracts at the national / regional level.

FWIW - the carrier is XPO...

Andrew

What size trucks are you running /partnering with XPO? Do you bid on each load or fixed rate?
Thanks

 

[Andyinchville1]

I have my own authority but it was because my carrier (well company that holds the contract I will help service) wanted me to as part of their requirements for being able to do the contract....

Being that they had nearly a 30 page contract and info pkg on me and made me carry every insurance known to man (including a commercial umbrella !) I could or maybe should hunt for my own gigs directly from shippers but I'm going to start just letting them pimp for me until I get 5 trucks rolling (I have 3 now because they said they'd start me off with 2 but want me to go to 5 ASAP) then I may start looking around BUT it's hard when the big boys get contracts at the national / regional level.

FWIW - the carrier is XPO...

Andrew

What size trucks are you running /partnering with XPO? Do you bid on each load or fixed rate?
Thanks

Hi,

I am running (well hopefully running soon....it's "only" been about 2 months since the process started) 24 / 26 foot under CDL box trucks with liftgates.

The contract is fixed rate (per stop) local work doing delivery work.

In theory, their flat bed work (CDL required...fixed rate per stop) would have far less potential liability because box truck delivery involves inside delivery and set up (potential issues with bumping things, scratching floors, leaks if hooking up to water etc...) whereas the flat bed work is outside only.

Andrew

I

 

[NorthernBill]

I have my own authority but it was because my carrier (well company that holds the contract I will help service) wanted me to as part of their requirements for being able to do the contract....

Being that they had nearly a 30 page contract and info pkg on me and made me carry every insurance known to man (including a commercial umbrella !) I could or maybe should hunt for my own gigs directly from shippers but I'm going to start just letting them pimp for me until I get 5 trucks rolling (I have 3 now because they said they'd start me off with 2 but want me to go to 5 ASAP) then I may start looking around BUT it's hard when the big boys get contracts at the national / regional level.

FWIW - the carrier is XPO...

Andrew

What size trucks are you running /partnering with XPO? Do you bid on each load or fixed rate?
Thanks

Hi,

I am running (well hopefully running soon....it's "only" been about 2 months since the process started) 24 / 26 foot under CDL box trucks with liftgates.

The contract is fixed rate (per stop) local work doing delivery work.

In theory, their flat bed work (CDL required...fixed rate per stop) would have far less potential liability because box truck delivery involves inside delivery and set up (potential issues with bumping things, scratching floors, leaks if hooking up to water etc...) whereas the flat bed work is outside only.

Andrew

I

Thanks, sounds like part of there LTL operation. Best of luck to you!

 

[RedBird]

RandyH,

Send me a PM, and I'll answer your questions you're asking about, as I've just recently and currently going through the same process now as what your contemplating doing!

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