For drivers thinking beyond the seat and curious about how small trucking companies are built, the Amazon Freight Partner program is taking a different approach than most operations in the industry.
Instead of requiring owners to buy trucks, cover fuel, or chase freight, the program allows partners to operate trucking businesses hauling Amazon freight using Amazon provided equipment and infrastructure. That structure is creating new opportunities for both business owners and the drivers they employ.
Natasha Sanders, a senior business coach for the Amazon Freight Partner program, recently explained how the model works during an appearance on The Long Haul podcast.
How This Model Differs from Traditional Trucking
Starting a trucking company has traditionally meant major upfront costs. Buying tractors, managing fuel expenses, and dealing with unpredictable freight cycles create financial pressure before a single mile is run.
The Amazon Freight Partner program is designed to remove many of those barriers. Partners run their own trucking companies but do not purchase tractors or pay for fuel or tolls. Instead, Amazon provides access to a fleet of branded trucks, consistent weekly freight, fixed weekly rates, and covers fuel and toll costs.
That predictable structure allows business owners to focus on hiring, safety, and performance rather than surviving freight market swings.
No Trucking Background Required
One of the most unusual parts of the program is that prior trucking experience is not required.
Sanders currently supports about 20 Amazon Freight Partners operating across Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. She shared an example of a top performing partner based in Atlanta who came into the program with no transportation background at all.
“She managed nurses,” Sanders said. “No trucking background. No trucking experience at all.”
Amazon provides a 12 week training program for new partners, and Sanders said the company prioritizes leadership and business skills over industry specific experience.
When asked what separates successful partners from those who struggle, Sanders pointed to involvement and leadership.
“A business owner that does well is a business owner who is hands on,” she said. “We’re looking for those leaders who have the grit and fit.”
Ongoing Coaching and Oversight
Every Amazon Freight Partner is assigned a business coach, which is a major difference from most small fleet setups. Coaches work directly with partners on safety performance, compliance, recruiting, on time delivery, and operational metrics.
Sanders said staying current is critical.
“Things change like the weather,” Sanders noted. “And so I’m making sure they are up to date from a compliance standpoint and safety standpoint, which is our number one priority.”
That coaching structure gives new business owners guidance while they scale operations in an industry they may be learning for the first time.
What This Means for Drivers
Drivers working for Amazon Freight Partners are W 2 employees of those independent trucking companies, not contractors. That employment model opens the door to benefits that many drivers do not see elsewhere.
“They are receiving healthcare benefits and they’re receiving paid time off, which is unlike the overall industry standard,” Sanders said.
Some partners go further, offering additional benefits such as child care assistance, retirement plans, and mental health resources.
Scheduling options also vary by operation. Drivers may find local, regional, overnight only, or longer haul routes depending on the partner, with schedules ranging from shorter daily runs to longer blocks.
Source: Freightwaves
