ENTREPRENEURSHIP - Freight Brokering 101

by M Jvlian Simmons

Freight Brokering is the profession of bringing Shippers together with Carriers in order to move the Shipper's "loads" or cargo contents to a particular destination or "drop point".

The freight broker/brokering agent is the liaison between manufacturer's and/or warehouse's, the shipping manager and the trucking companies that haul the payload to the receiving parties (i.e., warehouses, stores, venues, etc.) that have ordered cargo from the Shipper.

They use their Sales, problem solving, mathematics and honed social/business relationship building skills to determine the rates approved, act in trust and on behalf of the Shipper concerning the cargo and keep daily communication with both the Shipper and the Carrier alike until the cargo has been delivered to which afterward they receive a commission for every successful move.

Largely unheard of until a few years ago, Freight Brokering is already a billion dollar industry that allows the broker/agent to be self-employed and work freely either from home or on location with minimal overhead that has actually been around just about since the beginning of continental transportation itself.

Many brokers/agents report upwards of many scores of thousands of dollars in earnings per year and rising especially with the use of a strong work ethic, suitable brokerage and dedicated teams of trained sub-agents.

Though training is mandatory, the method of training however remains quite flexible as agents may either build a brokering agency themselves or work under an existing agency's banner without being trained by that particular agency; this also means that if one was so inclined, that one could in fact train one's self.

WHAT WOULD I NEED TO START?

Nowadays, an agent's required tools are incredibly streamlined utilizing as little as a decent computer/laptop and the relative software resources, an internet connection, a phone and a nearby scanner/printer.

Don't bother going nuts with equipment; you won't need much.

However in order to legally secure and be tendered loads from Shippers, the most important of all tools is their brokering authority which comes in the form of a file packet including a(n) broker/agent's credentials, proof of licensing from the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration), surety bonding, cargo insurance plus a W9 tax form; this packet is mandatory to secure any cargo to ever be moved anywhere.

This authority can be attained one of two ways: On one's own which takes a good bit of time, effort and money ($$$) or you could apply to operate under another broker's banner, as mentioned before which may still cost you time, effort, and money but much much less of it.

Either way, there will most certainly be a gap of time between one step and the next, so until either you finish your quest for self-brokerage solo or until that agency calls with good news, aspiring brokers/agents owe it to themselves to learn everything concerning their field as possible in order to be ready for any and all relevant Sales and/or logistics opportunities and/or issues that may arise when on the job.

CRUCIAL TOOLS/RESOURCES

Here are some of the leading "industry-standard" digital resources to help you train and to help optimize your cache with to include Freight Brokering in your wheelhouse of profitable skillsets:

NOTE: Both open and bookmark each link inside a labeled digital folder for quick recall while working in the field. 

GLOSSARIES/TERMINOLOGY

Learn to speak the language by tapping the book and using the search results inside.

Tap the book!

LOAD BOARDS

These are the online platforms used by brokers/agents to present Shipper's tendered loads/opportunities to Carriers and the additional tools to help them determine the appropriate rates to be negotiated.

• DAT Trendlines
• Truckstop
• Getloaded

TMS (TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE)

The following software helps determine rates, conditions and logistics details in order to properly manage the successful transport of tendered loads.

• Ascend
• Eka
• McLeod

The following is our video playlist on the subject/industry, which includes tutorials from the likes of Dennis Brown of Freighbrokerbootcamp, Brandon Scott, Brandon "The Mentor" Manney, Bumble Bee Dispatch, Logistics Dynamics and many more with insights on what you need to know about both beginning and thriving in today's Freight Brokering industry!

If you'd like to start your own business but aren't sure just how to begin, contact us now to embark on this exciting quest together and unleash the extraordinary within you!

OUR PLANS AND GOALS:

INVEST IN THE FUTURE!
Bringing STARSHIP scholastic awards and initiatives for innovation to your city!

THE VISION:
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(Tap for details)

BEING A LEGAL EAGLE - Common Rights Every Citizen Should Know

by M Jvlian Simmons

The following article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional legal advice. STARSHIP Creative, LLC claims zero legal, civil nor financial responsibility for any negative experiences relating to this article. Please consult a licensed legal attorney about your own state legislature concerning its citizens.

I'd like to say that its been such a tribulation for me, being Black in a lower-to-"dying middle class" America ever-questing for good and proper coverage, service and treatment in even today's society, but I honestly can’t. 

Because for me it really hasn't (besides the occasional obligatory bout with an overt/covert racist), not since my mid-to-late thirties after I started researching for STARSHIP Creative back in the early 2010s.

I became obsessed with educating myself and my loved ones beyond a reasonable doubt of our rightful status and stance of being. So much so, that to the uninitiated/unfamiliar we may often appear as if we believe ourselves to be too confident or somehow "above" the law.

That notion is the farthest thing from the Truth. We rather believe ourselves to be the recipients of the Promise of the law's superlative status which is "innocent" and worthy of Justice by way of our default Righteousness as stated in our U.S. Bill Of Rights.

Its merely that for us, there is no more mystery to how their "system" works and because of our research and understanding of it, we now have the assured confidence to stand firm and to only deliver the commands that matter.

This is a very necessary lesson I think, for the preservation of future generations especially those of marginalized races, creeds, sexual orientation and/or socio-economic status. 

KNOW YOUR COMMON RIGHTS

First off before we give you strategy, take a moment to cement the Foundation and the pillars/principles that support the strategy:

NOTE: Remember, none of the following B.O.R. (Bill Of Rights) articles nor the Constitution itself actually "gives/grants" us any of our rights; our rights are inherent regardless of the document's existence or availability. 

They rather merely express/delineate our inherent (born and irrevocable) rights to any unfamiliar.

* YOUR MIRANDA RIGHTS
We used to believe that it wasn't even an authentic arrest until the police "read you your rights" as they're arresting you.

But like a strange magic spell, we rather felt compelled to try to break/defy it thinking that just because the officer said it to you, that it works against us if we don't personally and immediately counter it with some form of defensive statement from us.

So we often elect to talk (or appeal to their human side) with the police or civil servant out of a goodwill sense of honesty rather than to have properly interpreted it as the best immediate legal advice to receive and to just comply/rest upon it, politely replying "no".

However, (TIP:) if you recite it to yourself swapping the words "I" for "you", then its interpreted in a whole other way; you'd read it and your answer would then lean toward "No, I rather don't wish to talk to you".

We should in fact recite this warning to ourselves daily, lest we forget that what position we're supposed to be playing and start to "run the ball" the wrong way!



* YOUR FIFTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS
This secures your right to be perceived by default as an innocent, being unable to be held for any crime unless correctly indicted by not the police or any civil or public servant but rather by a Grand Jury.

It also prevents one from being punished for the same crime twice, to be forced to implicate themselves in a crime, to have anything taken from one without first the due process of law or to have one's private possessions taken for public use without reasonable pay.

Familiarize yourself with these articles and know them by heart because they are what backs up the strategy you choose.

THE POLICE

"Be sober, vigilant, because your opponent the devil is as a roaring lion that doth walk about, seeking whom he may swallow up (destroy)."

-1 Peter 5:8

Police are essentially roaming clerks or civil servants/public employees; autonomic revenue generators for the local, state and/or Federal government.

The proper perspective to maintain here is that they are a "public" employee which means that they work for us instead of being perceived as other way around.

In general, they do 'keep the peace' however I feel that's more of a byproduct of their following their prime objective which is to "maintain public order" by (in no uncertain terms) finding fault in others and charging money owed the government through violations that may be sited in whatsoever situation they find themselves in, creating exorbitant revenue for that government.

This also includes their practice of covert investigation through seemingly casual conversation that they now refer to as "interviewing" in lieu of the old term "interrogation/questioning" making you the target of inquiry and developing probable cause to take action upon you.

As a matter of fact, their job description includes their being in a constant state of interviewing to match facts found at any time to any other cases that may exist or any of over 10,000 possible violations of U.S. code ordinates/statutes/regulations within their respective legal/lawful time parameters.

"Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! 

But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

-Revelation 12:12

The technical language of the legal system, "Legalese" sounds almost exactly like English but is not, mainly depending on questions being asked by the person representing the State being answered by the person representing the (suspected/insinuated) Property of the State.

If you are a "free being on the land, of reasonable mind" who isn't licensed to speak Legalese (eg., is not a lawyer/attorney) which includes most of us, then there is zero need to answer any questions from police.

Only lawyers speak legalese so refrain from doing so to civil/public authorities and use your attorney as your translator.

During interviews, a police officer is also allowed to lie in order to extrapolate information from a citizen causing them to implicate themselves in some sort of criminal transaction.

Many criminal convictions occur needlessly because of the defendant's will to speak to police who are sworn to contrarily report and giving an uncharitable spin to anything you should say to them or to anyone in their presence.

So as a general practice, I speak to the police (and civil servants) only when absolutely necessary.

NOTE: We encourage all readers to contact a lawyer periodically to make/be certain that their name is free and clear of actionable/arrest-able violations and warrants. 

There are also court-appointed programs that you can request which can offset some of the damage done by legal reprisals.

If you can, comply and adhere to all court-appointed courses, programs and appearance dates for best results.

With that said, let's begin with the strategy/protocol algorithm.

Q: The police are here to talk to me. What do I do?

CAUTION: The results of the following depend on your name being "clean and clear" of actionable/arrest-able offenses and upon maintaining a polite disposition.

A:

IF YOU'RE AT HOME:

* Be cool.

* You may acknowledge your presence to the police from behind a locked door. 

If the door has no window, then any information exchanged can be done using the slot underneath or left at the door which is also customary in banking and many other transaction counters.

If you open the door, then they can create a scenario to where entering the property is justifiable in a court of law ("Exigency") so keep your own boundaries in check.

* Enact your Fifth Amendment/Miranda Rights and keep your conversational mouth closed.

* If police come to your door without being called/requested by you and if their help is unneeded by you, then you may simply decline to answer the door at all. 

Unless they have a warrant, they will eventually leave.

Now...

* If you wish to disengage from the police, then tell them politely that you do not answer questions.

They may try to initiate an interview by asking other seemingly harmless questions or trying to start a dialogue through the door; in which case, to every question politely retort "I do not answer questions", resting upon your Rights until they concede and leave.

-END OF SCENARIO-

..or...

* If you wish to engage the police face-to-face (not recommended but if you feel as though you have no other choice), then tell them that you need a moment to get properly dressed and to wait just a moment and that you'll come out to meet them.

Meanwhile, exit from an alternate door and lock it behind you and cautiously come around to the front where they await, focused on the front door for your return.

You therefore (regardless of any possible warrants, need to "interview", etc.) satisfy their request without having your home’s security being compromised to them.

* Keep both your hands out of your pockets and either together in front of you or out by your sides so they can easily see them at all times. 

To police, unseen hands are a sign of aggression.

* Enact your Fifth Amendment/Miranda Rights and keep your conversational mouth closed.

* If they ask if they can either to come inside or to search the premises, politely reply "I do not consent (to any searches or seizures) without a warrant".

And still, your reply to any questions/requests from them, is (politely) "I do not answer questions", resting upon your Rights until they either serve you with the warrant and detain you or concede and leave.

-END OF SCENARIO-

NOTE: Frankly, there is no more that can be accomplished by coming outside to meet them as opposed to addressing them through a locked door other than to surrender one's self to them.

If it is a matter of interview/conversation, then unlocking a door or coming outside is completely unnecessary and ill advised.

IF YOU'RE IN A VEHICLE:

* Be cool.

* shut off your engine and remove the key.

* Remain inside. Getting out of your auto before they've asked you to will be met by force of Exigency.

* Keep both your hands on the upper portion of the steering wheel so they can easily see them at all times. To police, unseen hands are a sign of aggression.

* Never mind searching for your papers before they get to the car. To police, frenetic movement inside the car looks like an attempt to hide something. Let them ask to see your papers before you go rummaging around for them.

* You may address the police (in this case) from behind a closed auto door with the window lowered 2-3 inches, so that any information exchanged can be done through the open slot which is also customary in banking and most other transaction counters.

Windows opened too far down give the police a way to again claim Exigency so keep your own boundaries in check.

* Address them as "sir/ma'am".

* Comply with their initial request for proper and relevant identification/registration.

* You may alert them that you're about to grab your ID now, to comply, from your wallet/purse.

* Move slowly, calmly and deliberately without jerky motion.

* If they ask if you know why they pulled you over, politely reply "no".

* You may politely ask why they pulled you over.

* During the time it takes for them to process your information back at their vehicle (apx. 15-30 minutes) there is time to use your own phone if you wish.

You may alert them that you want to make proper arrangements by phone (to call your lawyer, parents, guardian, etc.) so that your sudden phone use may be respected.

*If they begin to interview you by casual conversation, politely reply "I'm not discussing my day (sorry)".

* Enact your Fifth Amendment/Miranda Rights and keep your conversational mouth closed.

NOTE; ABOUT PASSENGERS:

While it is believed that an officer may not identify/interview a passenger, they indeed may attempt to not only identify them but to try to interview the passenger(s) as well. In which case, they should likewise politely comply with the same understanding of their Right to answer no questions and to withhold/give no consent.

THE INTERVIEW SESSION:

Be friendly but only give commands/requests, avoiding too much conversational chatter between you both.

* If they begin to interview you by casual conversation, politely reply "I'm not discussing my day (sorry)".

* If they ask you to let them search your car, politely reply "I do not consent to any searches or seizures".

* If they want to escalate by threatening to call in a K-9 unit, politely reply "again, I do not consent to any searches or seizures".

* To file a motion to disengage, politely ask "am I being detained, or am I free to go?"

But don't say it like this guy here!

Now...

IF THEY PROCESS YOUR NAME AND ITS CLEAN, DECLARING YOU "FREE TO GO": 

* Reclaim your papers, thank them for their cooperation and vacate the premises as soon as possible.

NOTE: They may issue you tickets anyway based on the current pull-over; take the tickets and review them with your chosen counsel.

-END OF SCENARIO-

However...

IF THEY PROCESS YOUR NAME AND ITS NOT (WARRANTS), DECLARING YOU "DETAINED":

* Be cool.

* Allow them to remand/arrest you.

A warrant may be issued for various smaller reasons (eg., "Failure To Appear "in court, unpaid tickets, etc.) and it doesn't mean that you're necessarily doomed to a life in prison just because you now have one.

It only means that you currently owe the State/Federal government money, haven't been in proper contact and they want to talk to you about it; kind of like in Star Wars, when Jabba The Hutt sends a bounty hunter to bring him Han Solo who owes him money.

The worst that could happen in this case usually is having to come up with anywhere from $200-500 that day for bail/bond and a new court date to be rescheduled via friends and family that may believe in your good character.

If you have a felony warrant, it can cost considerably more money and possibly some jail time to satisfy.

* During the time it took for them to process your information back at their vehicle (apx. 15-30 minutes) there was time to use your own phone if you wished; hopefully you used your opportunity to call for your own counsel.

* When the officer will return to you, reporting that you have an outstanding issue with the Court and will have to to be arrested/remanded/taken into custody, remain cool and prepare to surrender with dignity. 

* At this point, rest upon your Fifth Amendment/Miranda Rights until you contact your lawyer/counsel and then keep your conversational mouth closed.

* By this time, another unit (police car and officer) will arrive to take you to their precinct while the initial officer stays behind to wrap up recording/writing down all the data including points of conversation and to arrange impounding of your automobile.

* Comply when they ask you to step out of the automobile and allow them to empty your pockets of all possessions.

* Keep both your hands out of your pockets and either together in front of you or out by your sides so they can easily see them at all times. 

To police, unseen hands are a sign of aggression.

NOTE: At this point, the police will have you out of your car/truck possibly with the door open. While you still may insist on giving no consent for a search/seizure of your automobile, the warrant may trump your command by this point.

* Stay quiet; allow them zero statements from you unless anything you say will certainly be held against you in a court of law, which is where you're headed at this juncture.

Rest upon your Fifth Amendment/Miranda Rights, until you contact your lawyer/counsel, and until then keep your conversational mouth closed.

 About now, one of the officers will place you in handcuffs. 

NOTE: Depending on your demeanor and pending charge, they may allow you the dignity of cuffing your hands in front of you instead of behind you.

But they aren't obligated to, so if they do, then respect this courtesy until they must revert to rear handcuffing before bringing you inside the precinct ("for their safety").

-END OF SCENARIO-

FINAL TIPS:

 * Be smart and stop the problem before it begins! Refrain from engaging in any illegal activities that could lead to your engagement with law enforcement (i.e., speeding, driving under influence, traveling with illegal cargo aboard, doing crime in general, etc.).

* Contact a lawyer periodically to make/be certain that your name is free and clear of actionable/arrest-able violations and warrants. 

In cases of violation(s), upon court there are also court-appointed programs that you can request which can offset some of the damage done by legal reprisals. If you can, comply and adhere to all court-appointed courses, programs, mandates and appearance dates for best results.

 * Regardless of any scenario outside of a traffic stop, always stay (if you can help it) at least 8-10 feet away from any police or civil servant at all times. Any closer and you can be arrested and/or charged with "interference of police duties" or “obstructing an investigation” especially if you're watching or filming in their immediate vicinity while on a "call".

* If you ever have to hand anything over to them (i.e., your license, registration, etc.), make sure you hand it to them calmly and politely unless it may be interpreted as a sign of aggression, opening one up to the charge of "assaulting a police officer".

* Sometimes, having to interact with the police can just plain ol' make you angry enough to curse. Avoid cursing if you can; it just gives them ammo to claim that you're "exhibiting violent behavior" justifying their resorting to "takedown" mode before you know it. Also refrain from making snide or sassy comments to them. The best thing you can say to them to show your power and authority is absolutely nothing.

c

* If you ever need to wait in a public place for more than two minutes without being accused of/charged with "Loitering", then buy something especially something cheap which will then classify you as a "customer" granting you a bit more time to wait.

* If you ever want to conduct your own business (eg., random "pop-up" side hustles, selling stuff from your own car trunk, market tent, selling in parking lots, unlicensed outdoor catering and BBQ sales, etc.) and/or post your own promotional materials in public, unless its on your own property, its considered in most places "Solicitation" and can lead to your engagement with the police. Get expressed permission from the property owner/manager before attempting to conduct your own business on their turf.

* The most important thing to remember is that they need to see you as someone "of reasonable mind" (by legal definition) so just stay cool and relaxed-

..and keep your conversational mouth-

..shut.

The following video playlist has insights from experts like Atty. James Duane of the Regent University School Of Law, Flex Your Rights, Officer George Bruch of the Virginia Beach Police Department, Dale Carson Law, Mary Griego, Gerry Oginski, The Attorneys For Freedom and many more explaining the true and certain rights of common U.S. citizens.

OUR PLANS AND GOALS:

INVEST IN THE FUTURE!
Bringing STARSHIP scholastic awards and initiatives for innovation to your city!

THE VISION:
Community learning centers/HQ
(Tap for details)

NOTE: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as professional legal advice. STARSHIP Creative, LLC claims zero legal, civil nor financial responsibility for any negative experiences relating to this article. Please consult a licensed legal attorney about your own state legislature concerning its citizens.