Lease on Vs. Getting Authority 

I totally agree. I started in 1980 became O/O since 1987. Had my own authority from 1994 to 2000. I suspended it. I lease to good companies. I did the numbers still to this day. I am making more leasing to this company I'm leased to. Specailly in todays market and economy. I'm with Ace Doran/ Bennett Industries and making more than a few guys with their own authority. Approx $25k more per year. Do not lease to a company that uses all brokers for loads. You need a company that has it's own customers and very very little broker freight. I get paid about 10 to 15 minutes after every load when i send BOLS. The days of owning your own authority is over.

As far as your truck. If you don't go to Cali, have it reprogrammed it you know what i mean and stay away from dealerships. Bought 2014 pete, reprogrammed it at 350k and not a bit of high dollar exspense on a system they know does'nt work. Been inspected a multiple of times an no issues.

Why don’t you get a minivan with a DOT number. Get the minimum required cargo insurance of 300,000 and say you’re hauling brand new tires. Pay it for 6 months and now all the brokers will work with you so now it’s time to put a semi truck on your authority. And the insurance will be less after the year mark. I do agree that own authority is not as good as leasing on to a solid company

I heard CRST flatbed is a great company to lease on with. I’ve also heard horror stories. So I’ll stick to the ladder. Doesn’t anybody out here know about this company?

yup! glad to hear from U'r experience! I believe that it's a loss all the way around, no mater what side of the freight or products you sell. it's very similar to taxes. it could be said the Minus'es ''-'' far out weigh the plus'es +.. sounds like you should write a book!! seriously! there are a multitude of truck operators thinking about how to cross over! & U'r advice is as professional as this industry get's!! FB has a pack of pervert machines! jesus christ! yup! kind of funny. unless U'r on the wrong end! & the folks that buy, have the skills to fix or re-build any part of it! U'd make a super book! jeezz! nothin worse then cold french fries! my head's so darn hard, I don't think anything soaks through! good luck!

Thanks for doing this. I am not in the industry, seems like this is like everything else. Do your research and check your sources. Be careful out there.