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Vans will never be required to log. The only reason you are required to have operating authority to run a van is so the feds can make sure you have the proper insurance. Outside of that they really do not want to be bothered by van operators

OOIDA has a article on how to set up a fuel surcharge. According to there chart a fuel price of $3.81 per gallon would bring a 53 cpm fuel surcharge. This is a formula that is used by a carrier when they charge a customer, the formula that is used by a carrier to set the fsc for there...

I am not one of the big 3 nor do I haul the nlm cheap freight loads. I do adjust my fsc daily and as of today I get 29 cpm for my cargo van.

You can run your business as you see fit. Just remember Panther is your customer and you provide them with a service. If they are not happy with that service they can and will take there business somewhere else (another contractor). As far as acceptance rates anything less than 70% you may be...

No it is not reasonable but here is the problem. Shops are doing insurance work and the money they make on that is so high that in order to spent the time required to paint your sprinter they need to charge $4000. Try this on the chips, lighty sand the chip area, use a q-tip to apply a rust...

People that think they are business people should start acting like it instead of acting like disgruntled employees. You signed a contract with Panther to haul freight for them. Panther is your customer, your only customer. When your customer needs a load hauled, if you are able to haul it you...

Well if everyone is so unhappy with there carrier why not just get your own authority and become a carrier yourself. I did it and it was not that hard, but there is a few things to remember. The only person you will be able to cry and wine to is the one in the mirror. There will be no safey net...

A lot of people talk about cheap freight but I have yet so see a number put to it. I drive a van so I will put up what I believe is cheap van freight. Anything under a dollar a loaded mile without fsc is cheap van freight. Any one else want to post the numbers they think equals cheap freight?

Yes it does look the same after dark but I head back home after every run so I get to see some of it in the daytime. I do find that this is a great way to see the country and make a lot of money.

Yes it is a good post and it should make a person realize that there is not much difference between being signed on to a carrier and being an employee.

Very good post garmin. I agree with with what you say 100%.

I do not see a thinning of the herd coming. Remember for every van or truck that calls it quits the carrier will replace it with another, there is a never ending supply and areas have to be covered. There is a major slowdown happening now and it will last all this year and possibly into 2009...

This is the nice thing about being independent. It does not matter how long or short the run is, 100 miles or 1000 miles, if the shipper and I agree on price I take the runs. I have done a lot of 800 mile direct drive runs with no problems.

Not true OVM. I know of one expedite carrier that had a truck put out of service for a Non-english speaking driver recently.

Blackwood you have to understand that the company gets a cut of all the deductions from your paycheck. It is just another way for them to make money off of you.

Great post. Now assuming most vans average at least 80 cpm with a 10 cpm fsc a little math puts the van owners yearly gross at $55,000. Not bad money for driving a van.

I believe that the serious shakeout is coming and the part-timers and semi-retired are the ones in the best position to survive it.

Actuality if you are independent you can drive as many hours as you want in a van. Carriers that limit van miles do so as company policy.

I let my customers know up front that I am a one van operation and it has never been a problem. The main thing they like about dealing with me is that when they call they know exactly who they will be talking to, me. And when the van shows up to load the freight they know I will be driving it. I...

I have had that happen a couple of times and I was honest and told them I could not cover there load. They found another company to handle it on those times but I still remained there first call for other loads. I let these companys know that I am a one van operation and it does not seem to...