Freight and Freight Lanes

Since I have had some time to kill before I go to orientation I have been studying freight lanes and rates. I know there is a pretty big learning curve associated with developing my own lanes of travel so Im trying to get a little ahead of the game. I have been using the board at landstarbroker.com,I know this only shows some of the freight and that BCO's have more to choose from.

My first criteria is to have no criteria meaning Im willing to go where the freight goes (within reason). I am well aware that there are huge holes out there where freight is slow and that a wise operator will take that into account when planning for thier load back home. I am willing to take as much time as it takes to learn my lanes and then always stay educated on how freight is moving where I choose to run.

Living in So Cal means access to alot of freight which should make planning my out bound trip somewhat simple. My first lanes of choice are I-40 and I-10,yes I want to run in the nicer weather. After 20 winters in the Pacific Northwest I have had more than my fill of snow,ice,rain and cold. I realize that rates might be better running the northern lanes and if it meant starving or losing my truck of course I would go. No snow bunnies on my truck.

My plan is to run out from So Cal to the SE then back to So Cal followed by outbound to TX/OK/AR and back to So Cal followed by a few days off. Another option that would work good for me is turning PHX on a regular basis. Of course Im open to any suggestions you BCO's that run those lanes might have to offer.

What do you consider the maximum amount of miles if any you are willing to dead head to get moving? I will assume that your good at planning and realize that sometimes a dead head to a good paying load is a wise business move. I also know that a cheaper paying load might be the ticket to a good paying load.

I have not heard reefers mentioned much. Does Landstar have access to reefer freight or freight that runs on the more popular produce lanes? Depending on the season for me it would be outbound from AZ or CA. Does Landstar have access to reefer equipment?

Finally I see alot of UPS loads that originate in Ontario,CA I assume that these run out and back from one of thier hubs because they have no final destination. Anyone know what those loads are?

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

 

Everything helps at this point,I appreciate you taking the time to throw in your two cents. I was going to try running out to Florida but I know the good rates going in have to make up for the fuel to get out to at least Atlanta.

 

Going to be starting off in vans,thats really all I have ever done. When I was younger I spent a few years working as a rough neck,got alot of experience loading,securing and unloading when we did rig moves.

Is the other side of the business something you can get into over time at Landstar and is there formal training or is it just a combination of having the aptitude,commom sense and geting out there and getting it done? I have been giving moving into more specialized freight alot of thought since I decided to sign on with Landstar.

 

I plan on staying out at least two weeks or longer if thats what it takes.

More Landstar drivers in FL than any other state,thats pretty cool.

 

Is that securement class easy to get into or is there a waiting list? Also I thought I remember reading somewhere that you needed to be on for a year before you could rent equipment.