The Landstar Summer 2009 Link In This Issue

Up to Speed
Recently I
was asked to
comment for
a story in the
August issue
of Overdrive
magazine on
the future of
trucking in light
of the economic
downturn. Pat O’Malley, President
Apparently Landstar Carrier Group
some people
are forecasting that the days of the
independent owner-operator may be
coming to an end.
At Landstar, we believe the “headline
hyperbole” about the demise of the
owner-operator is greatly exaggerated.
Over the years, the transportation
industry has
Even in tough
times, Landstar BCOs
have managed
to keep their
businesses profitable.
endured its
share of
boom and
bust cycles.
But even in
tough times,
Landstar BCOs
have managed
to keep their
businesses profitable.
They drive down expenses and drive
up revenue as much as possible. Many
also tap the resources available through
Landstar, such as LCAPP and the C.A.B.S.
program, to offset their costs.
Entrepreneurial spirit is another reason
why our BCOs and agents remain
committed to their craft. They have
profound knowledge of what it takes to
be successful, more so than the person
who oversees an entire fleet of trucks.
It’s going to take more than a sagging
economy to keep these dedicated and
determined men and women off the
open road. As the CEOs of their own
businesses, they’ll continue to drive
forward one of the most dynamic
segments of the transportation industry.
Carrier of the Year Award
Rheem Water Heating, a division of
Rheem Manufacturing, presented the
Landstar Carrier Group and Landstar
Agent Jack Kellerstrass with the
“2008 Rheem Water Heating Carrier
of the Year Award” in February.
Pictured from left to right: Sylvia
Obregon of the Kellerstrass agency in
Laredo, TX; Landstar Vice President
of Mexican Operations Lou Snyder;
Landstar Vice President of National Accounts Bill Yost; Landstar Agent Jack
Kellerstrass; Rheem Water Heating Logistics Manager Ray Roldan; Rheem Water
Heating Vice President & General Manager Peter Reynolds and Landstar Carrier
Group President Pat O’Malley.
BCOs in the Know
LCAPP Fuel $avings
Diesel fuel’s rise to record highs in
2008 put the squeeze on owner-operators,
forcing many to cut back on expenses in
order to keep rolling.
One strategy Landstar BCOs relied
on to keep their costs on an even keel
was the LCAPP discount fuel purchase
program. In total, BCOs received more
than $12 million in rebates through
“cost plus” and “cents off” pricing.
BCOs like James Spangler are pumped
up over the savings, to put it mildly.
“I saved more than $1,000 each
quarter, or about 30 cents a gallon less
than the pump price, in fuel costs since
I started participating in the program,”
says Spangler. “I really enjoy having the
services available. It puts money into my
pocket instead of someone else’s.”
Because Spangler also plans every
detail of his trip in advance and prefers to
run his truck on premium fuel, he benefits
from the fuel purchase program in more
ways than one.
“I like to plan my trips in advance,
I even map out my fuel stops,” says
Spangler. “I make the program work to
my advantage by calling ahead to get
the next day’s fuel price.”
BCOs can say hello to “cost plus” fuel
savings at most TravelCenters of America
and Petro locations. “Cost plus” is based
on the price the truck stop pays to obtain
fuel plus a pump fee of a few cents per
gallon. To get the price, call 800-494-
FUEL (3835) and punch in the
location code using LCAPP’s Rapid
Rebate Directory.
6
Locations that offer the “cents off”
discount are also in the directory. But
regardless of the type of discount, drivers
must first pay full price at the pump
before the rebate is applied to their
Comdata card following the transaction.
“When the cost of diesel fuel went up,
I stopped to refuel at places that offered
‘cents off’ pricing,” said Spangler. “And
when prices went down, I filled my truck
up at locations that offered ‘cost plus’
pricing. You wouldn’t believe how much
money I saved.”
Scanning Available for Driving Logs
Like the convenience of scanning trip
paperwork? Put your driving logs in the
fast lane as well with Landstar’s in-truck
scanning service, TripPak ® Scanning or
Transflo Express ® .
With Landstar’s in-truck scanning
service, documents can be scanned
from the cab of your truck. All you
need is a laptop, scanner and Internet
connection. For complete information
on all scanning services, please visit
LandstarOnline.com, click on “Info”
and then “Scanning Services.”
Also here’s a tip on submitting logs:
Landstar recommends that BCOs send in
driving logs once a week to comply with
DOT regulations.
Seals Required on Border Loads
High security seals are now required
on van and containerized loads going
into Canada and coming into the United
States. To get a supply of seals, contact
Security and Cargo Loss Prevention,
800-872-9103.