Truck Topics

Landstar Days: Meetin' and Racin'

This past weekend was a time for Landstar Business Capacity Owners (BCO's) to learn, network with friends and enjoy a premier NASCAR race.

The occasion was the Landstar Appreciation Brickyard event (July 31 - August 3) that was coordinated by Recruiting Director Darin Mark and held at the Landstar center on the southwest side of Indianapolis.  There was ample parking in the grassy field adjacent to the center, with the meetings held under a "big top" tent in the front parking lot.  July 31 - August 3. Ron Stanley, President - "This is one of many events that we hold around the country.  It's an appreciation of our BCO's and recognition of the job they do."
Landstar conducts numerous BCO appreciation events throughout the year, but the Brickyard event is considered to be one of the premier events on the company's schedule, and is open to all Landstar BCO's from both the 'carrier' side (Ranger, Inway, Ligon, etc.), and the expedited division (Landstar Express America - LEA).

"Landstar has at least 1-2 get togethers a month in various locations, with our main events in Rockford, IL and Jacksonville, FL," says Darin Mark.  "We also sponsor Hospitality Rooms  at several truck shows we attend and our BCO's are welcome to come by." 

"This is the second NASCAR event we've held this year.  We were out in Las Vegas earlier this year for the Las Vegas 400 and this weekend is, of course, the Brickyard 400."

He continues, "On Thursday, we had our BCO Town Meeting with a great turnout and with very positive response from our BCO's.  Our president, Ron Stanley was there, and he spoke about the direction the company is taking.  This includes additional express centers, and new sales efforts."

"Our owner/operators seemed to be very pleased.  The only problem we had was on our first day of the meetings; a number of our BCO's were offered great loads and they had to leave before the Brickyard events."

The attendees were treated to a gift bag of goodies at the time of registration and there was a group of vendors present to dispense giveaways from their companies as well.

The event schedules on Friday and Saturday began with a continental breakfast in the big tent with meetings and updates immediately following.  The topics of these meetings included: Safety, Compliance, Technology and other areas.

At 11:30 am on the two days, box lunches were distributed to the BCO's who then boarded charter buses for the trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  On Friday, the Landstar contractors watched the IROC and Winston Cup practice sessions and Saturday's race fans were treated to the IROC race and the Winston Cup qualifying sessions.

On Friday, the attendees were returned to the Landstar center for a steak dinner and on Saturday, the BCO's were greeted with a pig roast.

On Sunday, the BCO's departed for the track at 9:00 for the tenth running of the Brickyard 400 and were returned that evening at 5:00 pm.

Darin Mark says that the weather cooperated during the entire event; a little muggy, a little rain, but acceptable.  He tells us that an average of 120 BCO's headed to the track each day, and reports that everyone had a great time.

A comment was made to Mark that it was gratifying to see the president (Ron Stanley) of a large expedited carrier who seems to have a close rapport with his owner/operators. 

"Ron has really taken the role of senior management leader and has developed a great understanding of the BCO's and what they have to go through.  That's why you saw Ron moving around the tables at this meeting and visiting with the BCO's.  He knows them by name and not by a number, and I think the drivers appreciate that." Bob Kirk of Parrottsville, TN operates a Freightliner FL70 straight truck and has been with Landstar Express America for over five years.  He owned his own business until his retirement, and says; "Now my wife and I are paid tourists!"

He begins, "We entered expediting with another carrier and stayed with them for around a year.  We chose Landstar because of the company name, and because of its policies.  Landstar gives you everything you need to be successful.  I wouldn't go anywhere else."

"We're able to generate an income that pays for the truck and all the toys.  There's a lot of world to see out there and this business allows us the freedom to do that.   We run for three or four weeks, then take it home for two or three or weeks."

Bob continues, "We try to make all of the BCO meetings; we're semi-retired, really.  We only run 100,000 miles a year or so.  With Landstar, as long as we follow the guidelines and stay within the rules, we do as we please because it's our own business.  With this company, you're treated like a person; they know me by name, not by a truck number."

"We're tickled to death with Landstar.  We feel if a person can't make it with Landstar, they're not trying very hard.  They give you every tool you need along with all the moral support and knowledge background that you'll ever need." Ron Kinsey of Carrollton, OH runs a Freightliner Century Class straight truck.  He tells us, "My wife Jean and I have been with Landstar for four years now.  I feel that I've found a home with Landstar and I won't leave unless they get rid of me."

"We carry a laptop and we utilize Landstar's load board frequently to find freight out of a slower area.  We use the load board maybe 25% of the time, but it's well worth it."

He continues, "A change we've noticed in expediting is that the time allowed for the runs has tightened up due to, we assume, customer demands.  It's much more time-sensitive than when we started."

Ron says that the driving teams to whom he's recommended Landstar have been very happy with the company.  He says that the good points about expediting:  no wait to be unloaded at the dock and the freight rates are better than tractor-trailer trucking.  "My revenue in my first year of expediting was better than in the big trucks." "It's a great event and it's our way of saying thanks for everything you do for us and the way you do it in a professional manner each and every day."

"Our BCO's are experienced in the transportation industry and they bring that experience to these meetings.  It helps those of us at Landstar to have a better appreciation of what they go through and what we can do to help them out there on the road." - President Ron Stanley Randy and Mary Fields of Connersville, IN run a Freightliner FLD 120 straight truck.  They came to Landstar 3 years ago from FedEx Custom Critical.

"I love Landstar, the pay is good, accurate and on time," says Randy. "I like the true 'non-forced dispatch', and Landstar is truly oriented towards the idea of the contractor being his own boss."

"When they call you a Business Capacity Owner, it's because they treat you like you're really in your own business.  In our meeting yesterday, the president, Ron Stanley, told us that "if you want to run three weeks, then take off for two, that's fine.  If you have medical problems, or other things you have to deal with, take the time off, we don't mind."

As an example of the contractors' independence, Randy cites the fact that he does not run in New York City: "I never get any flak over that.  I'll run NY State, but I don't like the city or paying the tolls on the George Washington Bridge."

"Everyday is a different thing in expediting, everyday is something new.  With Landstar, I can pick and choose when and where I want to run - Mary and I enjoy the southeast and the Carolina's."

"We try to make it to this event and the one in Rockford.  We also like to attend any safety meetings if we're in the right place at that time.  It's good to get together with Landstar's agents as well; if you're in their area, it's good business to give them a call and stop by to say hello - they always make us feel welcome." Randy Harris, Landstar Express America recruiter for the Indianapolis area says,  "This kind of get together is a great opportunity for the newer BCO's to meet with the more experienced contractors and to pick up expediting knowledge."

"Another great thing about our company is that the BCO's are under no pressure from LEA. If a BCO's truck already meets the Landstar minimum requirements, and he wants to upgrade with a tag axle, liftgate, etc., you're free to do so.  It's your business."

"At Landstar the people seem to work together and help each other out.  It's a different atmosphere from the other companies I've seen." LEA President Ron Stanley says, "The biggest focus of this meeting is all about safety; there's nothing more important to us than to keep our BCO's safe.  That's what this is all about - bringing our drivers here and getting together with them to get their thoughts on how to improve on safety issues."

"I believe that the standards to become part of Landstar are higher than those of our competitors and we're comfortable with that.  I think the outcome of that is that we end up with a safer company, a committed company - a true partnership." Landstar Express America Online Pre-application