This is my final answer

[CharlesD]

Ok, I've answered this question a half dozen times the last couple days so here it is for the record.

The Panther bid board I have mentioned is not a board that is used by people leased on to Panther. It is a board where they put loads that they are brokering out to outside carriers. Here's what you need to do in order to view this board.

1. Get your authority.

2. Contact Panther about being a partner carrier and after filling out all the paperwork they will give you the address and the login.

The loads on this board are not loads that are being taken away from any of their drivers. These are loads their drivers have either turned down or are picking up in areas where they don't have a truck or van available. If I am sitting in a certain area and I see Panther trucks or vans around, I never see a good load on their bid board unless it was first offered to their driver and it was turned down. Most of what is on there is short runs that don't pay awfully well to their drivers so they have to broker them out. If they have to broker a load out, it's going to cost them more than if they give it to their own driver.

All of the major carriers broker out extra loads to other carriers. It's just basic math. None of them have enough vehicles to cover every load all the time. In fact, it's better for the drivers that way. If a carrier had enough vehicles leased on to cover every load in house, each driver wouldn't be getting that much work. Of course the major carriers would rather lease on more drivers and not have to broker as much freight because they will pay a leased driver a lower rate than an outside carrier. So if your carrier is farming out some loads, that is a good sign. You'd rather see that than see them have enough O/Os to cover everything all of the time.

 

[JimF51]

Ok, I've answered this question a half dozen times the last couple days so here it is for the record.

The Panther bid board I have mentioned is not a board that is used by people leased on to Panther. ... .

That's what you get for mentioning the company name You should have left that part off, then all the Panther drivers wouldn't have been wondering

 

[ATeam]

Excellent post, CharlesD. Instead of hinting around that you have inside information or implying that you have some secret freight source that is not available to others, you answer peoples' questions, present the facts, and tell people how they can use the same resource you are using. Nicely done!

 

[fastrod]

Good post CharlesD. And you van drivers should check into getting your own authority so you can get some a load when your carrier cannot find you one.

 

[pjjjjj]

Good post CharlesD. And you van drivers should check into getting your own authority so you can get some a load when your carrier cannot find you one.

How would that work becuz, maybe I'm wrong, but it seems that most who are signed on with carriers are also operating under their insurances, as well as their operating authorities, and sometimes their plates as well. Plus the carrier would then be responsible for ensuring payment arrangements, and taking a portion for themselves?

 

[x06col]

Musta bumped yer head, before you opened this can of worms. Betcha it AIN'T yer last splain'in on the subject. Yer quick fingers, might even cost ya fore it's over.

 

[fastrod]

I am not sure how it would work. I have never leased to one of these 5 star carriers and never intend to. You might want to check with your carrier first to see if they allow you to get your own authority.

 

[Jefferson3000]

I am not sure how it would work. I have never leased to one of these 5 star carriers and never intend to. You might want to check with your carrier first to see if they allow you to get your own authority.

Why would you want to be a contractor AND a motor carrier at the same time? The only reason that one would try is that they're too chicken to jump ship. Unless someone went into a contract already having their own authority, they would most likely end up paying double in insurance; once on their own, and once through the the contracted carrier. A carrier would never give you "permission" to get your authority, because you would then be a carrier yourself.

The saddest thing I've seen on here is people who start their own carrier before they even know where freight comes from. Very sad. They're constantly looking for someone else to load their truck. Those kind of folks need to go contract themselves somewhere and let someone else dispatch them.

WARNING: Being a carrier is not for the faint of heart, nor the passive wheel holder.

 

[davekc]

How would that work becuz, maybe I'm wrong, but it seems that most who are signed on with carriers are also operating under their insurances, as well as their operating authorities, and sometimes their plates as well. Plus the carrier would then be responsible for ensuring payment arrangements, and taking a portion for themselves?

THere are several companies that this can be done. Panther being one of them. You can obtain your own freight using their authority, insurance, and collection/billing dept. They have a specific department for this and charge 15 percent for the provided service. You negotiate your rates and terms directly with the shipper or broker.

 

[nightcreacher]

you can also do this with fecc,if you so desire.its their back haul department,but i think they want you to be out for 2 or 3 weeks before they will permit this to happen.You can either let them find you a load,or you can find your own.Rates for tractor trailer are not to bad,but you would probably be better to find your own load,of course there are some restricions,(companies you cant use).Those that are slow paying and those in conflict with fecc

 

[davekc]

Steve,
That might be something you could elaborate on. I have on several occasions attempted to book loads for CC drivers that had been sitting for a week or longer, but they couldn't find anyone to facilitate the transaction.

 

[CharlesD]

When I first went independent, I was still leased on to a carrier. They knew I was getting my authority and they were ok with it. It was a pretty good arrangement because I was able to get loads from them and book my own loads as well. It also gave me something of a safety net while I figured things out. Being independent is a lot harder but you can have more sources for freight as well which helps during the slow times. I will still use that carrier at times, but now they're like another broker. If you go independent, you should have an arrangement like that or a large cash reserve.

 

[nightcreacher]

From what I know,after a contractor has been out ,either 2 to 3 weeks,they can then get in touch with there CC and that will put the ball in motion.Companies that they cannot broker to are companies in direct conflict with FECC,such as Landstar,Or the Panther Board.There are some trucking companies they use alot,and those are the ones they usually use.Drivers can also find their own loads,but they have to be an approved company,and in which ever case,loads have to be taking drivers to home or express centers where there truck is needed.Dave I used the back haul program one time,and only because I had a driver quit on way to California.So to get back in the system,runnning solo,i used a back haul load,to Chicago.It got me out of a team area,but cost me,as revenue wasnt high enough,it was a couple years ago,before fuel went nuts,and we were on the old percentage fuel surcharge.