PLAT is for owner operators who are looking to find that “perfect” ideal balance of making money, all while having the most hassle free experience as possible. My name is Abraham Luciano and I’m a 20 year semi truck driver, as well as an owner operator.

One thing I know about being an owner operator is just how difficult and taxing the job can be. At PLAT, we sincerely do not wish to add any more unnecessary stress or complication to the driver. At PLAT, there aren’t any endless safety meetings, endless phone calls and texting to drivers, no forced dispatch and certainly no exorbitant lease on fee.

We have made it our goal to remain primary a driver friendly and professional company with only a 13% lease on rate. It’s mind boggling that some of these major carriers are actually charging drivers a 35% lease on rate. Furthermore, in my experience in talking to the drivers of some of these companies, I soon realized that many of these drivers just didn’t know that there are carriers out here like PLAT that will only charge 13% or somewhere in the neighborhood of a 13% lease on fee. Many drivers just literally think there aren’t options beyond a major carrier with a 35% lease on fee!

At PLAT, our 13% lease on rate of course covers driver factoring, driver permits and the use of RTS fuel cards as well. And yes we pass our fuel discounts down to the driver. We do not keep your fuel discount.

All we ask of drivers when they join onto PLAT is that they carry themselves professionally with respect and that they are responsible for their duties such as delivery and pick up times, communication with dispatch in the event of any issues and that the drivers maintain road worthy equipment. We do require drivers to get their equipment DOT inspected every 4 months.

One last word on DOT inspections. When I was an owner operator, I found that getting a DOT inspection every 3 to 4 months, usually when I did my truck PM, was the most effective way to stay ahead of repairs. Aside from fuel cost, the other major owner operator downfall is poor maintenance. This is huge!

DOT inspections at your local truckstop aren’t expensive, and It’s the perfect way in my opinion to help drivers stay in front of repair surprises, especially if the driver isn’t super mechanically inclined. When I was leased on with a company as an owner operator, I would submit my DOT inspection every three or four months and the owner fell in love with the idea and even instituted it in the company!

There’s not a whole lot we can do about fuel costs, but maintenance we have far more control over. Also, no one, and I mean no one wants to pull into a DOT weigh station and have to worry about faulty equipment.

I personally wish you the best. If you’re an owner operator, give us a try!

Abraham M. Luciano
In time, and with lots of inner and outer work, all things can be overcome...
PLAT owner, Real Estate Broker, Father, Friend and Neighbor...