Why I Left Landstar | Should You Lease On In 2023? | What Is The Problem With Landstar

[@sloth9413]

I’m currently at LS and this video is 💯 correct. Only thing I would add is that it typically takes 8 weeks from application to orientation, 2 more weeks to get a trailer, and the broker side of LS is the favorite, the carrier side is the black sheep. Most of the agents are so bad, it will either cause you to quit, or you will have to submit. It’s really shocking.

[@TerraFirmaX]

Thanks for that input. You are right. I have Agent friends that have told me that LS tells them to try to Broker it out first before putting on a LS truck. It used to be really good here but the Obama years and the Biden years have taken its toll

[@jillshomesteadexperience6706]

I’m so proud of you on making the decision too drive for a company and appreciate you for all you do for us. ❤

[@TerraFirmaX]

Thank you Hun, I appreciate that

[@tommyk9844]

I've been at Landstar almost two years. Paid off my truck. Paying myself a pretty damn good wage and feeding my family.

[@TerraFirmaX]

That’s awesome. Hope it works out for you

[@TuneWorld57]

what are you hauiling??

[@circesoul2218]

​@@TuneWorld57Must be dedicated because the boards are trash. They were trying to push 60 cent loads.

[@tankerman7666]

What are you calling a good wage? Your not making it off load boards

[@djfortunomusic]

Im thinking of going there. Why you say its trash? ​@@tankerman7666

[@damonbyrd612]

Did your truck have an apu with all def problems

[@lunardozamzam6001]

Thank you for your honesty and good advice

[@TerraFirmaX]

You’re welcome and thanks for watching

[@sonnytea2002]

True

[@pointnIaugh]

The last company that didn't pay me detention found out that in order for me to come off of hometime, they need to cut me a check. They ended up cutting me a check.

[@secondamendment573]

The one thing no one talks about is fuel surcharge. They take it out of the line haul. Shouldn't fsc be added on PLUS the line haul?

[@TerraFirmaX]

Great question and one I asked all the time. Taking in off the top only gives you a percentage back. Say it’s $100, all you’re really getting is the portion Landstar would have kept, I E 35% or 35 dollars. Same with tarping.

[@TerraFirmaX]

You know, the big problem is that no one has any skin in the game but us BCO’s. So nobody cares

[@secondamendment573]

@@TerraFirmaX it's also the same with extra hazmat pay and extra stops. They have no business getting a cut of that.

[@WillieWhale]

I was going to do the whole owner op thing but I Get paid salary of 1400 a week every week no matter if I run 3000 miles or 1500 miles. Paid home time 1 day per week so 52 days paid. New 2022 KW no worries. It might not be much money but I know every week what my pay will be and the people here are fantastic. They give you a tablet with unlimited wifi and all trucks have apu's. I left my local job and now renting my house out and once again I'm truly happy. I'm happy for you also love the videos. Makes a world of difference when you know what you're getting each week.😊

[@TerraFirmaX]

Yes and a whole lot less stress.

[@ChrisNevaMiss17]

Listen, the company side of Trucking is always going to be laxed and if that’s what you’re into, then keep at it. But you gotta dive deep into your mentality of creating generational wealth. I know someone who spent 5 years as a company driver saving $750 a week for 260 weeks. He bought a brand new truck, had a good fuel savings and emergency fund for maintenance and hit the road. First year he grossed $400,000, followed by $450,000, $500,000, and $520,000. He was able to buy a brand new truck and hired a driver. That 5th year his company grossed $1,000,000 with 2 trucks. Long story short, it’s ok to be a company driver making 70-90k gross per year, no worries in the world. But if you want to really go all in, you can be a millionaire in 10 years if you’re willing to grind out the hard work. Delayed gratification is very hard, especially in todays society, but you’ll thank yourself.

[@SamMaass-s5h]

What I never understood was how an agent in Mississippi had freight in Watertown, South Dakota that the agent in South St Paul didn't know about.

[@TerraFirmaX]

Because they are all cut and paste agents that get their loads off of the CR Robison load board, it's all scraps, its all crap

[@aitransportservicesllc584]

Not if you get a dedicated route there’s good money for sure I’m at LS running Boeing loads which weight 8pounds from Dallas to WA for 13,000dls every week round trips

[@hereintranzit]

@@TerraFirmaX. C H Robinson has a whole floor in Landstar’s “glass cathedral” in Jacksonville I believe that Crowe, former owner of Landstar, is on the board of directors (if he’s still alive) and his wife owned the headquarters building in Jacksonville which Landstar Inc. is leasing from them. Gerkens was a beancounter working for Crowe and became Landstar’s first CEO after Crowe turned it into a publicly traded corporation and sold a ton of shares to investors starting in ‘98, but BCOs couldn’t buy any. I’ve been with then from ‘97 to ‘02 and went back in ‘04 till ‘22, about 22 years altogether. I know how Landstar was when Jeff Crowe ran it and how it changed after Henry Gerkens took over. Now it’s a joke of it’s former self and a frigging revolving door, in the front door and out the back as fast as they can turn you ! The only thing that’s still around is the freedom to pick your loads and work when you want and how much you want. Very little left of the BCO support side and the agents side of Landstar it is absolutely atrocious to say the least.

[@hotrod6251]

I totally agree with everything you’re saying..Last day w/ LS as of yesterday..going back to Co driver 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@TerraFirmaX]

It sucks that it has to be that way.

[@HaitongGao]

What’s other good options for owner operators to lease on? I want to do open deck and work towards to heavy haul specialized stuff.

[@jeffsutton950]

Admiral merchants

[@littlefellatrucking324]

I agree. It’s absolutely the worst time to go to LS. Find a carrier that would best suit you and have a PLAN

[@845_NYGORILLA]

I've been with Landstar 14 yrs and this video is the absolute truth 100%...most Landstar agents don't have their own freight. Most loads a cut and paste. A gazillion foreign agents and they suck. I've lost so much money this year. I'm about done with Landstar myself

[@imSincerePromise]

Where would you go?

[@truckerron]

I ran for Crete for 18 months and made $750 to $1000 a week and ran my Arse off!! Not worth it. I even bought my own truck and leased on... SAME MONEY - What a Joke!!!

[@TerraFirmaX]

If it was so bad why did buy a truck to lease on there? I’m doing double what you say you were making

[@JoePJack1]

I just left in August after 6 years with them. Same reasons, my truck turned 1M miles. I put every one of them on there except the 24 miles from the factory. Also a company driver now.

[@TerraFirmaX]

I hope you accomplish all that you want.

[@matiluko_king1381]

Good content....owner operators are getting hit right now. I hope it gets better. Be safe

[@TerraFirmaX]

Thank you. You too

[@rami5986]

Hey thanks for the info what is the average pay per mile? Where are you at right now after their percentage? Thanks.

[@blackstarberg]

but what about a 1099 driver driving for an owner op

[@TerraFirmaX]

Then your screwing yourself out of all the taxes they would have to contribute on your behalf, now you’ll have to pay it all. You pay your own insurance and have no workman’s comp, you don’t get any kind of Benefits at all, just so you can make 10 cents a mile more? That’s a terrible way to go. You’re a write off to them, not an asset

[@raymondbaumgardner5414]

Why don't you owner operate and lease on to Crete/Schaeffer???

[@TerraFirmaX]

I drive for Crete now, but I don’t want to buy another truck. I’m over it

[@rgarizonahomestead2729]

how time has changed in the industry glad you moved over to the new company. P.S they are building two new truck stops in ash fork i have now idea when it will be completed but they are working them as we speak ones a pilot and the other one is a T&A

[@TerraFirmaX]

I like ash fork. Hope the truck stop is good for the economy there

[@Rammstein1961]

how much you make clean with taxes off

[@TerraFirmaX]

That’s a complex answer, but overall for the last 8 months I’ve grossed 49,000 and take home after all taxes and benefits is around 43,000. When I’m on the road I average $1,200 to $1,800 a week take home.

[@Rammstein1961]

@@TerraFirmaX how many days you was home in this 8 months

[@TerraFirmaX]

A Lot, Usually got out for 3 to 4 weeks then go home for a week@@Rammstein1961

[@snappingfingers8786]

I'm at a crossroad, I have my own authority with a trailer, my insurance runs about 12k a year, and between freight rates, fuel, and tolls, no money to be made, my mechanic is approved with LS advised me everyone seem happy with LS, so, I applied at LS to lease on and to give up my authority, Haven't done it yet, The bottom line other then cheaper insurance I am not sure if things will be better, Everything sucks right now, to many people running dirt cheap.

[@yuniorpgonzalez2188]

I'll buy your mc before you close it

[@philosophyoftrucking]

It’s possible to do very well here no matter what the economic circumstances. Come to Landstar. Bet on yourself.

[@TerraFirmaX]

Was there for 17 years. I know a lot of people there that aren’t doing well at all. I’m still in contact with people in corporate and they even tell me it looks to be bad until next year. Doing well there right now is like winning the lottery.

[@RatedR228FreightRunners]

@@TerraFirmaXWhat do you consider “Doing Well” because everybody financial needs are different ?!

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@RatedR228FreightRunners as you pointed Ted it, it’s different for everyone, but if you’re doing as well or less than a company driver I wouldn’t consider that “Doing Well” as an owner op. Most people have no idea what it costs to run a truck. I’ve talked to people that have been at this longer than me that have no idea. I watched a video the other day where a guy thought he was doing good because after fuel he made .90 cents a mile. He forgot to add in insurance, maint and repairs, IFTA etc etc. that’s not doing well.

[@aitransportservicesllc584]

@@TerraFirmaXnot true at all I’m running dedicated route form Dallas to WA hauling Boeing plane ✈️ parts only weight 8k pounds they are round trips every week paying 13k there’s still money out here the goal is to get a constant route like the one I’m in and it’s year round as well never ends 😗

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@aitransportservicesllc584 it’s absolutely true. You are just one of the few that got a lucky run and that will dry up fast.

[@tbrown3402]

Agreed

[@Nofacenocase1619]

What are the truck requirements at LS? Can you run an old school Pete? Or do you need to have one of these brand new plastic Lego trucks ?

[@landriver1]

You can drive whatever you want as long as it passes Landstar's inspection.

[@natcoziay]

As long as your truck can run electronic logs you're good.

[@ritchierich565]

How is Crete working for you so far?

[@TerraFirmaX]

It’s going really well actually. I like it here.

[@ritchierich565]

@@TerraFirmaX looking into it now and yes I have your code if I decide to go all in with Crete. Thank you. What you do with your old KW truck?

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@ritchierich565 thanks, I sold the KW to a buddy of mine

[@ritchierich565]

@@TerraFirmaX yeah I’m hoping and waiting for my buddy to sell me his truck soon.

[@narvik9035]

How was the process of leaving Landstar? How easy was it to walk away from the lease contract? Did you just turn in the truck and walk away?

[@edjahman]

I was considering going to landstar with my tractor and stepdeck. Does this video apply regardless of the freight hauled and also the fact that I have my own trailer and all my endorsements and a twic card? Ty

[@TerraFirmaX]

Absolutely. I had all that too. Checking in with friends at LS and they say it’s just getting worse.

[@edjahman]

@@TerraFirmaX thank you bud. I appreciate you. I'll just continue to stick it out in the horrible spot market. My tractor and my dry van are almost paid off but I owe on the stepdeck. I really enjoy having my own authority but it's a tough road to hoe since about a year ago. Take care! Ty!

[@Nofacenocase1619]

@@edjahmanwhat Stepdeck you running big dog? I’m thinking about investing into one myself . Thx

[@edjahman]

@@Nofacenocase1619 I have a 53 ft stepdeck with 4 ramps and stands. All aluminum lowpro. It's a Reitnouer big bubba.

[@Nofacenocase1619]

@@edjahman appreciate that. I’ve been debating about the same one you have and Fontaine. I Heard good things about both. It’s a tough choice between the 2

[@marvinrobinson9289]

How much can I take home working for creet

[@TerraFirmaX]

I’m averaging $1,800 +

[@marvinrobinson9289]

@@TerraFirmaX I was going to get a truck with sfi but the payment is 1100 a week 1800 if I should 1100 from 18 I paycheck would be 700 a week I will just avoid from getting it

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@marvinrobinson9289 you don’t need your own truck at Crete.

[@arielshikoba1857]

I don't know how you deal with Crete Driver Facing Cameras 🙄

[@slbdnkrmpc9951]

Agents in Landstar sound like dispatchers in other companies. And getting that detention from a broker is not easy, they always find a reason not pay you, my driver was late 15 minutes for appointment which disqualified him from getting detention paid even though he sat at that dock for 5 hours. And the driver takes it out on me. One could say why do you use this broker, well sometimes you got no other options. Now it's the worst time to be an owner operator, you will be way better off being a company driver crushing those miles. One more thing, truck prices are increasingly getting lower and lower as carriers are leaving the industry due to insufficient freight to account for all the capacity that entered the market during the post covid rate surge.

[@rickvann3489]

I left their ass march 2023 just called today and same ole crap going on. Until they get rid of these foreign agents

[@TerraFirmaX]

That and cut and paste agents

[@ritchierich565]

You just answered my question on you other video regarding success at landstar now thanks

[@bigpapi101]

You just have to know how to work the system at Landstar…..I still think that for an O/O, besides being 💯 on your own, their numbers are better than most…. But your right about this crappy freight economy

[@TerraFirmaX]

Well, I worked the system for many years. It’s all worked out

[@jk6854]

Load board and agents are the pits.

[@TerraFirmaX]

They are the cancer of the industry.

[@rondavis2791]

So Was that driver shortage issue real or an overhyped media thing. I'm hearing both.

[@TerraFirmaX]

It’s media hype. It’s more of a freight shortage.

[@alonzosmith5075]

I've been driving since 89 and it's always been a driver shortage.

[@AnotherBlackGuy100]

You rebuilt your own engine? Wow!

[@TerraFirmaX]

Yep, did a whole series on it on this channel.

[@user-qi5vc3bk7e]

I’ll believe there fighting for scraps when they agree to show the contracts. If it where as you say there fighting for scraps just like we are. They would have no problem showing us. Need full disclosures.

[@TerraFirmaX]

there would be no contracts if it's scraps

[@sturgelltruckingllc4074]

I say it’s the best time to become an owner operator set your business model up to survive in this market,and you will flourish when things go back up…. Landstar sucks but there are still some great places to lease on, I did $240k last year, pulling a flatbed and I was home every weekend and took seven weeks off leased on with CRST ,no BS, I do a weekly money in News video and put it all out there, h Heck I’ve already done $30K in driver referrals this year alone from those videos and most of those guys are killing it, all customer direct freight, and nothing gets a brokered out except the scraps, all of our agents are awesome… Not puffing my chest out but it’s not all doom and gloom out there buddy Glad your doing well at Crete and all but I’m still holding solid at just under $3 a mile to me ($2.97 last week I believe) and that’s far better than things were even five or six years ago before rates went up to five and six dollars a mile to catch up from the pandemic and everybody thought they would never go back down🤷‍♂️

[@TerraFirmaX]

Well Im glad you're having a good go of it. And how much does it cost a mile to run your truck? How much of that 240 did ya keep on your tax returns this year? Just curious

[@sturgelltruckingllc4074]

I have videos on all that, what my tax return says, and what I actually made are two different things there’s a lot of write offs when you own a business, I know you know that In the real world, I would say my net was $100k all said and done after everything including taxes.. Cost per mile varies but I cover that in every weekly video, but depending on maintenance items/repairs for the week I can run anywhere from $0.85 a mile to $.1.15 a mile most weeks, of course, on some major repairs I could run at a deficit for a month straight, my truck is paid off but if I had to put a number on it all in for the year I would say $1.25 ish, but again with a business there’s lots of things you can write off that most people don’t for instance, I just bought a new toolbox for $1000 and that is a tax write off🤷‍♂️ I count a lot of things in my videos that a lot guys don’t count, I put it all out there, I’ll put that thousand dollar toolbox expense in this weeks money in News video which of course will drive up my cost per mile for the week, but did it really? Also, the key IMO is being in the right lane. I run the Steel belt which pays extremely well. If I was out west, I would starve to death. You’re welcome to join my channel and watch the videos if you’re bored, but if not, I’ll keep tuning into yours just because you’re a fellow ham 😉 take care my friend

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@sturgelltruckingllc4074 I'll check it out. I know what you mean about your returns. I was pretty sure you knew what I was getting at. Thanks for the comments and watching. I rally do appreciate it.

[@Nofacenocase1619]

The Big Dog is in the building 🫡 I see you champ

[@red---paulvanravenswaay2247]

Agent needs to say, "Take your million dollars and shove it, it's obviously all filthy money anyway cuz if you would screw my driver you'd screw all your employees out of their bread and butter. So since you're a thief, I don't want to do business with you and I'm going to tell everybody else not to too!! In fact where can I mail the check of what you've given me so far I hate your filthy crap money so much😊😊😊😊"

[@TerraFirmaX]

If only right?

[@red---paulvanravenswaay2247]

@@TerraFirmaX right that's the only way

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@red---paulvanravenswaay2247 In the old days that's how it was handled, we had good agents, they are all foreigners now that could care less about the drivers, they ran this shit into the ground, it'll never ever ever be the same

[@jamesscruggs4557]

What's not worth? It is driving for 50 to 70 cents a mile. You're kind of short-sighted.

[@TerraFirmaX]

I've been at this for 20 years, I've been up and i've been down. Plus medical, 401k, profit sharing, milage bonus. I'm not short sighted, I've just been thru more that you could possibly understand. Plus Landstar has really turned to shit

[@littlefellatrucking324]

⁠@@TerraFirmaXwise words spoken

[@michaelwallace7192]

I like your chanel

[@TerraFirmaX]

Well thank you so much. I really appreciate it

[@michaelwallace7192]

@@TerraFirmaX your wellcome. Be safe out there. Joy of Trucking got a singed 48152 from crete so if you see him give him a shoot on the cb his name is Kevin his wife rides with him her name is Tanya there a northern you tubeer

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@michaelwallace7192 I’m a big fan of their channel. I look forward to meeting them some day

[@michaelwallace7192]

@@TerraFirmaX I'm allso watching jbg travels he drives for adl transport. He is allso a you tuber if you see adl 799 on the road that s jbg travels his cb Handel is jhony be good

[@danimojoe8563]

How you like that 63 mph truck? Forced dispatch?

[@rooseveltrainesjr7618]

They suck dont was your time i work 3 mo an left

[@Phan-Xu]

Landstar A Premadona Company LLC

[@georgejungle2255]

Austin Taylor?? Lol

[@TerraFirmaX]

Lol, yes absolutely

[@georgejungle2255]

@@TerraFirmaX I was in Phoenix on Thursday and 30 loads were from his agency. Different codes. I called on about 15 loads. Either there was no answer or the load was gone. Did they take them off the board? Nope 👎 😂

[@TerraFirmaX]

@@georgejungle2255 Yeah or they try to talk you down on the price, or ask you what do you need to haul the load. I never hall for that guy

[@TerraFirmaX]

Ernest Marks is another one

[@kennardjohnson7875]

Those injectors are cheap compared to the injectors in my truck, and my engine has 50ty grand in the engine alone.. I know for fact there is 1 guy that did 750,00 grand last year. I pull a van and yes not like it was 2 years ago, but it's getting a little better, but ch Robinson is the better paying broker.

[@TerraFirmaX]

I call bullshit, unless he is hauling windmill stuff.

[@kennardjohnson7875]

@@TerraFirmaX March 2022,hazmat totes,Sonora tx to rifle Co, 7500.00 bounced to Salina ks,to LAREDO tx 9000.00 general motors load and back home in 6 days. Netted 7grand like I said fluke here of late on landstar chart I'm around 2.35 loaded miles. This summer where I was making better money was thi country roads hauling institutional furniture,went into a lot of prisons.

[@valentina1349]

Land star has nothing special to offer. No first-hand loads, and most loads are taken from other loadboards, meaning it's has lower RPM, meaning it's a double brokering, building relationships is absolute BS, they give you what's out there, like any other driver, fuel discount on TA ? Discount on Most expensive fuel on the nation? Charging you about $500 for providing insurance, eld,trailer, etc.. (AFTER) Taking their 35%. fuel you paying out of the loadboard rate per mile, after all this payments you left with fuck all.

[@TerraFirmaX]

I couldn’t have said it more eloquently

[@danimojoe8563]

Trucking is the lowest wage job in the world

[@TerraFirmaX]

What do you do for a living Danilo?