Core Insights - The trucking industry is facing significant challenges in 2025, with tighter margins, reduced freight availability, and soaring insurance rates [1][8] - Small carriers and owner-operators are at a crossroads, needing to decide between maintaining their own authority or leasing onto a more stable platform [2] Group 1: Running Under Own Authority - Owning the business end-to-end allows for full control over freight booking, preferred lanes, and retaining 100% of the rate [3] - The responsibilities include compliance management, safety oversight, accounting, and negotiation, which can be burdensome [3][6] Group 2: Leasing Onto Someone Else's Authority - Leasing means operating under another company's authority, which reduces administrative burdens but also limits control over freight choices [4][5] - The cost of leasing typically involves paying a cut of 15% to 30% of the load rate to the leasing company [4] Group 3: Industry Challenges - The freight market is experiencing flat volumes, making it difficult for carriers to secure consistent loads, leading to increased unpaid invoices and tougher rate negotiations [8]