Blue Ribbon Podcast

This is a hot topic and one that we need to set the record straight on. Too often i will hear people say that Landstar takes 35% of the revenue. While it is true that 35% of the linehaul revenue goes to Landstar, it is important to understand where that 35% goes, what it pays for, and who it truly belongs to

We recently discovered an article that talks about how Farmers are buying decades-old tractors because they can acquire them at a fraction of the cost of new equipment and they can actually repair them without the need for complicated computer diagnostic equipment. We use this opportunity to discuss why Blue Ribbon buys ten year old trucks that others have discarded.

In this episode we take a moment and reflect on 2019 and talk about things we're looking forward to in 2020.

We’re back with the first new episode of 2020 and we answer a couple of great emails we received from our listeners. The answers will cover what processes to use when you’re looking at a truck and also how to consider the value of one brand of truck over another.

I’ve seen a lot of posts on social media over the last couple weeks with the #DecadeChallenge hashtag. People would take a picture from 2009 and put it with a picture from 2019. It was an interesting contrast to see the difference in people’s lives over ten years in the social media age.

We thought it would be fun to run through the years 2009-2019 and compare our own stories. Neither one of us saw the end of the episode coming together the way it did. It was, by far, the most fun and interesting episode we’ve done so far.

You can also check out the Dissecting a Decade Series I did before Larry joined the show where I detailed the years 2009-2018 in my story of becoming (and failing) an Owner/Operator.

DECEMBER 1, 2019

Before you make the decision to become and Owner/Operator, it’s very important for you to ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” Owning and operating your own truck or trucking company can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. It can also be a nightmare. If you aren’t prepared with the right mindset and expectations, your journey to self-employment can be a very bumpy road.

In the last week, Landstar has begun notifying its BCO's (Business Capacity Operators) that they can only continue to be leased to Landstar if they: move out of the state or accept that they cannot pick up any loads in the state where they reside. We took this opportunity to discuss the elements of this story that no one else is talking about - Where did this come from and where do we go from here? The peer-to-peer economy is here to stay. Uber and Lyft are just the beginning of a shift that is happening in the global economy. Everything is about to change and these independent contractor mis-classification laws are a distraction and and a last desperate attempt for the establishment to hold onto its waning power.

We have teased this story over the last few episodes. At the end of 2018, we came across a truck that we considered adding to the fleet. This would be the first truck we would buy together. We had to go through a lot to get this truck legal and operating. It’s been a great learning experience. Strap in and enjoy the ride!

In this episode Chris and Larry talk about ways to ensure profitability and success by taking full responsibility for your actions and understanding the market you work in.

This is an episode about responsibility. Sometimes we may have to look in the mirror to find the source of our problems. Chris and Larry have both had experiences in business where they realized that some problems were self-induced. We are in a tight freight market. Rates are down. It’s not as easy to find those high-paying loads as it was last year. Instead of looking for someone else to solve your problems, you may need to reach down inside yourself to make certain that you haven’t brought it on with your own actions. We finish the episode with a discussion about DOT Medical Certifications and Sleep Apnea testing. We also give some shoutouts to listeners are read some of your emails and texts.