I have a few questions

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Myhusband resently bought a staight truck and is driving for landstar
he does ok on the load he picks up from our home city but, he never
gets a load from the city he delievers in he is always told to dead head to another city and he wil be able
to get a load but, when he gets there he'll sit for another day still no load. He usually has too
end up dead heading back to our home city to get a load. In a month he has only had one load pick up in the area
he delivered. We have only owened the truck for about a month but, at this rate there is no way we will be able to make the payment
and pay our bills here. I was just wandering if it is land star or are other companies this way too. Right now we are open to about any
suggestion on how to get more loads. All replies will be appreciated. Thanks!!

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Landstar is on it's way down the tubes. they are down to 119 D trucks, 8 C trucks, and a bunch of vans. They are dead heading everyone. your best bet is to contact Express one in Mi. or see the postings about them on the expediters forum. just type in expediters forum and then find it in the blurbs. tohey pay more and generally back load most of their trucks. I worked for Landstar and they give there new sign on's the best of what they have. It will only get worse for you at Landstar. As time goes by they have to give the runs to the newer new drivers. So you will end up with even less.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Can you name the cities you mentioned (your home and the last 5 destination cities)? Also, I assume your husband is driving a D-Unit, correct?

This info will help in getting better answers to your questions.

Mr. M.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

You're not alone. I went Orlando-Miami yesterday, and came back empty.
220 miles of non-paying empty miles, just to get home. The truck gets
about 9.5 mpg on *good* days.

Even worse was a Tampa-Panama City trip, where I drove 400 miles empty to
get back home.

You can *try* to make a few calls in the place where you delivered to find
something going out in the right direction, but if you're operating a small
<mine is a 14' box> truck, trying to find that small LTL going in your
direction is usually non-existant.

It's a case of either sit and wait, or drive home. In some of the smaller
towns that particular LTL or Expedite freight is just not there, so you just go.

When you get a load going out to a small town, try to check ahead with the brokers
or freight agents there to set up something in advance, or find a bigger city nearby
with some freight.

Usually I don't have those extra few hours to spare when I get a call to transport,
and I sometimes try to find something after I get to the destination, which most of
the time comes up *dry*.

Try to get a few more dollars in the rate, to compensate you for driving back emtpy.
It'll pay the diesel, but not for your time or truck use, but you'd be driving home.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE COST OF DIESEL????? Up 50% from last year.

Anybody get a corresponding hike in their surcharge to cover the extra cost?

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Mr.M
The home city is Indianapolis
The last five Desinations where Cincinatti, Detroit, New York (a suburb of), Kansas city, I would have to check with him on that last one that's all I can
think of right of the top of my head. Any info you might have would be wonderful!!!
Rox

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Mr.M
Let's try this again I'm kinda new at this internet thing.
The home city is Indianapolis
The last five Destinations where Cincinati, Detroit, New York(a suburb of), Kansas city well that's four
I can't think of where he was before that right of hand. Any info would be great.
Rox
Subject : I have a few questions Author : rich m Date :

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Sounds like he would be better off with Roberts or Tri State.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

I was just wondering, when your husband takes the trip out of your home area is he willing to take a trip to another area, or is he looking for a load right back home. Being flexible in your load selection/destination is the best way to keep the wheels rolling LOADED, of course you don't want to take a load that will take you to the middle of no-where with little chance of catching a load out. Landstar does have the mentoring program, have you tried that. Our mentor has been a major help to us in our switch over to Landstar and learning their system. E-Mail me if you have any questions.
Kevin

guest · Jan 14, 2000

I just wanted to let you all know that we really appreciate all the responces we got alot of good information. Maybe there is a little light at the end of the tunnel. For now we will take all this information in stride and try and do our best. Thanks Roxanne

guest · Jan 14, 2000

I belive you should call Freight Specialist in Indy imediatley.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Hey Sausage seller, tell me more about this Freight Specialists, I've seen their trucks and I'm curious about them.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

I called and talked to one of their recruters and was told you get loaded out of Indy area but then have to deadhead back to Indy.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Roxanne; B4 you go off and do anything you may regret, get a little more info. Try www.jroman.com for the expediters' forum. Click search and find comments on Landstar. Also on Tim Woods(a Landstar Express America Rep) and a Landstar driver going by "doodle". All will come up with search. The last comment was very true. Your husband must be ready to take loads anywhere available and to stay out 3 or 4 weeks in some cases if you all want to make it in expediting. It would be rare to get a load home I expect.

We have been researching the various companies and the expediting biz in general for about 6 monthe. We will go on the road in January but we are ready to run as a team( Margi & I) and have a fair idea what to expect. Read the Expediter's Forum. You may gain some insight into the system. Don't lose heart. It can pay you bills. Ask questions of those posting on the BB's and Forums. Most are really helpful and encouraging. Don't change jobs yet. We have been on the road before but expediting is a different deal with lots of waiting and deadhead. Ed & Margi

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Sounds like the company he is leased to isn't getting any business for one reason or another. Look around to the other companies, your situation definitely isn't normal.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

If the company can't you a load from the cities you mentioned, you need a new company! You just listed most of my top freight areas.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Rox, we frequent all the cities you mentioned that your husband has visited with loads, and have no difficulty finding another load to run with. Our only problem so far has been in getting stuck in a region with daily 300-400 mile trips and ending back up in the same area (Kansas City or Detroit or Chicago are good examples). We lease to Roberts Express and seldom have to deadhead home unless our time is up and we just want to go home. Indy is a very good area for us as there is so much work around there.

Vernon

guest · Jan 14, 2000

Iceman, I disagree with your opinion of Landstar. We have been with them for 3 years now, and we've been doing better each year. No company is perfect for everyone, and LEA is trying to make some improvements (even if it isn't seen for awhile). I'm sorry your experience was so bad.

guest · Jan 14, 2000

I know Cincy has been running slow (at least at the time of your initial post). We don't have trouble getting out of the areas you mentioned (except sometimes Detroit). Are you calling all the agents every morning?

guest · Jan 14, 2000

If you're with LEA, next time you get down towards Miami, call the San Juan office. They have freight coming out of Miami for the rest of the country regularly.