BCO or an Approved Carrier

google bco forums.

that's the LS forum for bco's

 

It really depends on the type of relationship you have with the agent and the type of freight you haul. On open deck, as an approved carrier I don't see a big difference. Or I should say not big enough that if I was only hauling LS loads that it would be worth it staying independent.

Dry van is s different story. We can negotiate some decent low to mid-teens (percentage) on our loads. Then we have Capacity Gateway that we have first shot on those loads. Will say that I am not really excited about rates and regions on those loads but if that is an area you like to run it can work well. Finally, the big one, NLM. Love these rates and it is only getting better. LS is putting all of its energy on growing this and based on the structure I can't see how a BCO could haul an NLM load.

Now all of the above is relevant if you are a carrier that is focused on the highest level of service (over communicate, look to solve problems not be one, act like a business person not just a driver, etc.). If you just want to be a driver and don't have the ability or desire to put the extra effort to act like a professional then you could do better as a BCO.

 

It's totally up to you my friend. The thing you have to remember is once you sign on with LS, you only haul LS loads. There's no more hauling TQL or CH unless its through a Landstar Agent and there goes you quoting your own rates... for the most part.

 

OK just curious...what is a NLM load?

 

I was wondering the same thing myself,I thought for sure you would know. Google only confused me more. I bet we have an answer real soon.

 

I'm guessing No Lost Miles.

 

I would stay independent, anytime. As I stated on other topics you have priority for the LSTR loads just because the agent is making more money with guys like you then a LSTR truck.

 

I've called about a load and not stipulated that we were BCO. I was told $500 lower. I said, "Hold up, my rate says..." He said, "That's BCO pay."

I've heard stories, but I've also seen LS agents under-bid one another. I saw it today. We just happened to be 20 miles from a load. Agent called, we said yes and I was going to e-mail the load info to myself, from the board. The other load, with another agent, was *much* cheaper. When we got the confirmation sheet, we had an extra $100. It was a broker deal. We got top. Somebody got bottom.

We used to be with CRST and hauled for LS, all the time. With CRST, we made 76%. With LS, we make 65% and our expenses/deductions are much higher. We grossed $80,000 from 4/28/12 to 12/31/12. So far, we've grossed $52,396, as of 5/1/13. That means we've grossed $132,396 in the past year and that's pretty deplorable, for us. We grossed $160,000 in 2011 with CRST-Malone. It's taken this long to break Hubby from Western/ND/oilfield loads. They pay well, then you have to DH 500 miles, and/or sit, unless you have another load board and take crappy loads, while paying for the load board. Fuel gets high and you spend more money, trying to make money. Our deductions are *much* higher; $1626 for last week. Granted, most of that is advance money. When I was *on* the truck, we didn't do advances. When I get back on the truck, that will stop. We'll also make more money.

The grass is not always greener, on the other side.