Landstar Questions

[gregmcclain911]

I have spoke with an o/o who wants to put me on with Landstar in a cargo van.
O/O seems to be really cool, upfront, honest, etc so no problem there. However, can anyone tell me about Landstar - cargo van runs with them, etc etc.
Has anyone heard anything or worked for them, etc.
Thanks for input.

 

[LDB]

They are a good company. Lots more has been written than I can possibly type here. We're back to that search button and putting Landstar in as your search term. You'll learn a lot about them. They are top tier as far as opinion of contractors goes.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[tec1959]

Greg they are a great company....

 

[Gener8]

Landstar, now has 154 vans on. They average about 40 van loads a day. If you can survive on one load every 3 or 4 days then you will be fine. I know this to be true. I have had 1 load in the past seven. I was in Detroit for 3 days and now in the Cleveland area for the past 4 days.
NO load offers no refusals.
I have a larger than normal van.
Deadhead now averages 50%
Paid mile average 1.15 per mile including fuel surcharge.

Facts just the facts.

 

[simon says]

See Gener8- I agree, tough enough with them as a D unit north of Ohio River, outside of GRR. If you live in the south, perhaps feasible. Lot of people on this site talk a lot of generalities, based on past info... Willing to bet van does best with Tri-State, TST, P2 maybe.

 

[Gener8]

I am sure vans are slow for everyone at times. This should be the busy time. Landstar continues to grow the fleet but their load to van ratio is very poor. I don't know of any new business that they have even gone after. As I see it the agents just sit back on their laurels waiting for a phone call. They are under staffed so forget about sales people. New business requies aggressive sales people.

Old stories about getting loads from sister companies is just that OLD STORIES. Inaccurate and misleading to new people. It does happen but it is a rare thing because of new policies.

I am not a newbie. I know my way around. I just can't be silent anymore while new unsuspecting drivers learn things the hard way.

Facts just the facts.

 

[gregmcclain911]

Well, sometimes you hear things you do not want to hear. But it gets me to think if some of these vans not getting those runs are just sitting in bad areas. Wouldn't it be the case like with most carriers it could pay to move? Just asking - being the rookie on the block I tend to ask some stupid questions. Also I kind of wonder what the load vs van ratio is with other carriers as well.

 

[dhalltoyo]

There are a few carriers, very few, that would help with the cost to move. I mean with fuel hovering around $3.00/gal moving gets a little expensive. Some companies are pro-active and shoulder the burden as a business partner.

And some companies work with their O/O's as business partners to encourage the O/O's to seek out new business. They can earn up to $300 based upon the number of loads a new customer contracts for with that carrier.

When I get to a slow area, I'll buy a TT driver lunch to find out where they are dropping off. I will then research that company to see if they need expedited services as well. I have worked the area around my home base and it has helped me to get out of that area more often.

I guess I could just blame everybody else for slow van freight, including President Bush and the oil companies, but I find it better to just work harder. I think this concept is called business.

Keep plugging away Greg. You'll get what you need.