Tag: owner-operators

Steering Women Toward Their Dreams

Before Landstar owner-operator Deb LaBree embarked on a career in the trucking industry, she enjoyed helping others through her work in cosmetology and sales. LaBree didn’t become a professional truck driver until later in life. While her career took a big turn, her personality stayed the course as she climbed into the driver’s seat.

“There’s no greater feeling than helping people. It’s always been in my nature. I think people reach out to me with questions because I make them feel comfortable,” explains Landstar Business Capacity Owner (BCO) Deb LaBree.

When she became an over-the-road team driver with her husband Del, LaBree says she never imagined her trucking career would take her down the path of advising or coaching other owner-operators. The BCO laughed out loud when asked for a count of the number of drivers she’s mentored over the years.

“I can’t keep track. I just do it. I’ve always liked to help people and encourage them to do well in whatever they are trying to accomplish,” says LaBree, whose official work mentoring women began when she volunteered for the nonprofit organization Women in Trucking (WIT).

A WIT board member and administrator of the organization’s Facebook page, LaBree says she started by mentoring a few women who were new to the trucking industry.

“I’d help them apply for scholarships to help pay for truck driving school. When they finished school, I’d help them apply for their first over-the-road jobs,” says LaBree. “Many of them have become close friends, and some of them even call me ‘Momma Deb.’”

LaBree says she didn’t realize how impactful her advice to fellow drivers was until September 2018 when she was selected to appear on a national network television show during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW).

That week, LaBree traveled to New York City to appear on NBC’s Megyn Kelly Today. LaBree spoke candidly with Kelly about life on the road and being a female owner-operator in the transportation industry. Then, near the end of the segment, Kelly shocked LaBree by presenting her with a $10,000 check from segment sponsor Shell Rotella.

“After that segment aired, I heard from hundreds of professional drivers from coast to coast. Some were Landstar BCOs congratulating me, others were complete strangers who saw the segment and had questions of their own,” says LaBree. “It was incredible to hear from so many people within the industry and to offer them my advice.”

The segment also included a taped interview with one of LaBree’s mentees, Landstar BCO team driver Pam Kays, who spoke to NBC about her relationship with LaBree. Kays had originally contacted LaBree through Facebook four years ago when Kays was a new BCO looking for some advice from someone already leased to Landstar.

“Deb has helped me with paperwork and procedures over the years, anything I’ve needed. She is the kind of person who would literally give you the shirt off her back if you needed it,” explains Kays. “That mentorship has transpired into a true friendship.”

Despite their busy lifestyles, LaBree and Kays still find ways to connect. When they are out on long hauls and in the same area of the country, the two make it a point to meet – even if it’s for a quick hug at a truck stop.

“Through kindness, Del and I have met great people and built some beautiful friendships over the years,” says LaBree. “Everything we do to help our fellow owner-operators, is because we don’t want people go through the same struggles we did when we first started out on the road. Aside from that, it just feels great to help others.”

Awarding the Star of Quality

February 2019 Star of Quality Recipients

Each month, deserving business capacity owners (BCOs), operators and agents earn Landstar’s Star of Quality Award.  The award, for members of the Landstar family who go above and beyond the call of duty, recognizes extra efforts and dedication to service.

The outstanding efforts made by these professional men and women earned them a Star of Quality Award in February 2019. Our thanks and praise to the following members of the Landstar network who represent the best in the freight transportation industry.

Gold:

Gary Buchs*, Anthony B. Fowler*, Victor Gomez*, William L. Martin*, James A. Ratcliff.

*Going Beyond the Gold – recipients have received multiple Gold Star awards.

Silver:

Ronald E. Brantly Jr., Kevin Dale Wolfe, Arthur R. Yancey.

Bronze:

Emanuel Antwi, Cindy K. Anwiler, Duane R. Anwiler, Archie Bruce Atkinson, David Ray Barnett, Bobby J. Collier, Kennidy Auther Davis, Richard E. Dent, William J. Dobrie, Frank Leonard Domako, Allan Wayne Dooley, Raudel L. Duarte Lujan Sr., Jermikel Kashaun Gant, Vernon Guichard III, Albert Guilfoil, George William Hayden, James Klug, Danny Lampher, Shelva Lavanne Lemons, Christopher Alan Lisney, Sergio Maldonado, Ivan Pavlovich Mikhov, David Proctor, Regulo Ramirez Jr., Richard Dean Reynolds, Michael E. Roundtree, Terry Eugene Smith, Richardson Kwaku Sosoo, Donald Ray Willaford, Robert Christopher Williams.

If you would like to nominate a Landstar agent, owner-operator or operator for a Star of Quality Award, please email: StarQ@Landstar.com.

The Landstar Advantage

The Next Generation: Millennial Agents and BCOs

For three decades, Landstar agents and business capacity owners (BCOs) have enthusiastically chosen Landstar as the best place to build a career that suits their needs.

Members of Landstar’s family may not share the same DNA. Instead, they share traits that can’t be found in a blood test: entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to their profession and motivation to own and operate a successful independent business.

Following in the footsteps of the men and women who laid the groundwork for Landstar, the next generation of Landstar agents and BCOs encompass the same entrepreneurial spirit as the first. In their 30s, this group of millennial business owners are eager for the future, to grow their businesses and the freedom to succeed with Landstar. Continue reading

Kevin Rutherford’s Business Advice for Owner-Operators

Kevin Rutherford, radio host of Trucking Business & Beyond on SiriusXM / Road Dog Trucking, explains to independent owner-operators the importance of investing in new equipment.

Your truck is a tool.  A tool that is instrumental for you to run your business and you can’t run a successful business with an inefficient tool. As an owner-operator, investing in a new truck is something that you may have to do a few times in your career in order to stay competitive with large fleets. Large fleets tend to get rid of trucks once they reach 400,000-600,000 miles. Although you may be able to stretch the life span of your truck longer than that if it’s well manufactured and well maintained, you’ll eventually get to a point where you start pouring more money into your truck than what it’s worth.

Costs of an Older Truck vs. Costs of a Newer Truck

There are four major costs that you need to keep in mind as you’re looking at newer trucks – truck payment, truck insurance, fuel and maintenance costs. It’s simple to compare the new payment and insurance costs to what you’re currently paying but fuel and maintenance costs can be a little difficult to calculate. Look for the most reliable sources, do your research and make your best guess. Understand that this isn’t always going to be an absolute numbers game.

Now, think about these costs on a per-mile basis, then compare it to the costs for your current truck. For example, what is your truck payment per mile with your current truck? What would your truck payment per mile be on a newer truck? If you discover that the new costs are similar to the current costs, it doesn’t make sense not to buy a newer truck.

In fact, you may find that purchasing a new truck would be cheaper than maintaining your current truck especially when it comes to fuel costs. Let’s say you have an older truck getting six or seven miles per gallon and see that a newer truck would get you eight or nine miles per gallon. On average, that one or two mile difference could save you $15,000 per year.

Throughout your research, maybe you’ll discover that a new truck is going to financially cost you more but will save you time. Service intervals are longer on new trucks therefore you would spend less time in the shop. Less time in the shop means more time on the road and more money in your pocket.

Purchasing a newer truck is a long-term investment so you need to look long-term before you make a decision. Maybe your purchase won’t save cash today but it could two years from now. The costs of maintaining an older truck will eventually get more expensive and ultimately, you’ll need to invest in a newer truck.

Trucks Made In 2012 and After

It’s hard to forget the years 2004-2011, otherwise known as “the decade of don’t own those engines.” Trucks that were manufactured during this time period were expensive to maintain, had a lot of emission related problems and constantly had to be serviced. Luckily truck manufacturers learned from the mistakes of previous years and implemented newer emission standards in trucks made in 2012 and after. Owning a truck that has these newer emission standards will even get you into California, which could open up a brand new market for you.

The dreaded decade may make you hesitant to purchase a newer truck but trucks have improved a lot since then and continue to do so each year. Pay attention, look around, talk to other owner-operators and you’ll see that purchasing a truck manufactured in 2012 and after is a good investment.

Upgraded Comfort and Safety Features

Thanks to better manufacturing processes and advancements in technology, newer trucks have safety and comfort features that your older truck probably doesn’t have. Some of the safety features common in newer trucks are lane departure warnings, front looking radars, automatic braking and adaptive cruise control. Having a truck with these features will help you remain competitive with other fleets.

Newer trucks are known for being better designed to support the modern truck driver’s lifestyle. The cab and sleepers are comfier and there’s better electrical outputs to sustain your kitchen appliances, laptops and cell phone chargers. While you’re driving, you can expect better aerodynamics, a smoother ride and a reduction in noise.

Investing In Your Business

We are in the autonomous trucking revolution therefore staying up to speed with other carriers and fleets will be crucial to the future of your business. Old trucks will be phased out before you know it and you’ll eventually have to spend the money on a newer truck. Outdated equipment isn’t going to cut it. If you think it’s time to start shopping around for a new truck, remember to look for one that has overall good value, will help you minimize future costs, is equipped with up-to-date safety features, and will be a smart investment for your business.

Kevin Rutherford is a business trainer, author of national articles on trucking and finance, small fleet owner, tax preparer, and radio host of Trucking Business & Beyond on SiriusXM / Road Dog Trucking. He started his career as an owner-operator 30 years ago, running a one-truck operation. He has authored several books on how to be successful as an owner-operator and has given seminars to thousands of owner-operators, drivers, and fleet executives in the U.S. and Canada. He also has prepared thousands of federal and state tax returns for owner-operators and company drivers. Visit www.letstruck.com for more information on Rutherford’s business and tune into his show, Trucking Business & Beyond, on SiriusXM Channel 146 every weekday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET.

U.S. Cargo Control Prepares Owner-Operators for Roadcheck

To help prepare owner-operators for the upcoming International Roadcheck, U.S. Cargo Control is offering special prices on winch straps, ratchet straps and shoring beams through LCAPP.

The 30th annual International Roadcheck by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) will take place June 6-8, 2017. During the 72-hour period, CVSA commercial motor vehicle inspectors throughout North America will conduct random inspections of commercial vehicles and their drivers.

This year, CVSA reports it will place special emphasis on cargo securement safety violations. Inspectors will focus on safe cargo securement regulations while conducting the North American Standard Level I inspection. The 37-step inspection includes examination of driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness.

U.S. Cargo Control is offering discounts to Landstar BCOs on certain straps and beams through June 30, 2017.

 

Product Description Normal Price Sale Price  

Case Quantity

 

430FH 4” x 30’ winch strap w/flat hook

 

$12.99 $9.74 10/case
5030FH 2” x 30’ ratchet strap w/flat hook

 

$13.49 $10.12 10/case
SB92 Aluminum shoring beam $45.99 $34.49 2/case

*Offer expires June 30, 2017*
For more information about what CVSA will require during its annual Roadcheck, head to www.CVSA.org

August Star of Quality Awards Announced

Star of Quality_sm

Every day members of the Landstar family go above and beyond the call of duty, and deserving BCOs and agents are honored with Landstar’s Star of Quality Award.  Qualified award winners receive a bronze, silver, gold or platinum colored lapel pin that recognizes their extra efforts.

Hats off to our Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Star of Quality winners for August 2016!

Platinum:

Ryan James Stip

The Platinum Award is given only in exceptional circumstances and intended for Landstar’s Heroes of the Highway.

Gold:

Joseph E. Donovan, Jonathan E. Damm*, Richard O. Davis*, Tom Herlston, Christopher W. Patton, Jeanette Simpson*

*Going beyond the Gold – recipient has received multiple Gold Star Awards.

Silver:

Harlan Brian Boswell, Stephan Lawrence Brown, Gale Edward Choffin, Phillip M. Herlein, Richard Hill, Mark Steven Huff, Anthony T. Mitchell

Bronze:

Foster Okyere Agyepong, Constance Ilene Christy, William Carl Christy, Hussein Hassan Dirshe, Dwight A. Everett, Gerard Matthew Greenhouse, Roderick Eugene Hayden, Jeffrey Alan Hickman, George L. Hinkley, David B. Jackson, Charlotte F. Johnson, Raynold Mahotieres, Rudy T. McFowland, Carl M. Meclean Sr., James Morris, Tom Ndungu, Timothy M. Nezbeth, James Terry Reed, Stanley B. Rice, Jeffrey P. Russell, Charles Savage, Beretania Smith, Sandy Lee Smith, Keith Snyder, Darreyl D. Thomas, Kenneth Ryan Wilkins, Brian Scott Yoder