Based in Denver, Colorado, Komal Aziz is an owner-operator hauling with Amazon in one of the densest freight hubs in the industry. He’s been in trucking since 2018, launching his own intermodal business in 2021 (Bayan Transport, LLC). We talked to Komal about why he hauls loads with Amazon Relay, and why he calls Relay’s driver app the “easiest and most straightforward” in the industry.
What did you do before trucking?
My parents were both teachers, so I was always expected to get a fancy degree. But I found college difficult. It wasn’t until after dropping out that I found out I have ADD and it was keeping me from focusing in class. It was never that I didn’t love to learn new things – I got into the casino industry and went from a cashier in the poker room to a pit boss. Once I oversaw schedules and coaching, I explored other aspects of the business. How to fix slots, how to pay out jackpots.
I came to crossroads about whether to pursue a corporate career in the casino industry or become an entrepreneur and start from scratch. I decided to follow in my dad’s footsteps and see if I could achieve new heights in trucking.
Tell us about your family’s legacy in trucking.
We came to the U.S. as Kurdish refugees in the 90s. My dad was a school superintendent in Iraq but came here with four kids and $120 in his pocket – he didn’t have the time or money to equalize his degree. He wanted to hit the ground running to support our family. So, he got into over-the-road trucking in 1998.
It was inspiring to watch him decide he was fully capable. We were only on food stamps for a month after coming to this country because he didn’t want to accept help from anyone. He had to do everything on his own. That was the driving force to validate myself and my choices. I had to make my parents proud.
How did you enter the trucking industry?
Once I decided trucking was my path, I started hauling frac sand in the Denver-Julseberg basin in northern Colorado, often in the middle of nowhere. They’d give you GPS coordinates, all these random instructions to get to the next location. “Pass a particular farm and go through a gate, watch out for the cows.” All that complicated experience laid the groundwork so that trucking as a whole became simpler.
My dad worked for a carrier that hauled Amazon loads, and we both felt that Relay was such a smooth operation, especially the navigation. Everything can be managed through the app. And me being tech savvy, I appreciated the clear, digital approach.
“Operating as an indepedent carrier changed my perspective on business opportunities. I used to think about traditional employment, but Relay showed me the possibilities of running my own transportation company. Relay’s load board lets me make strategic decisions for my business.”
How did you start your own trucking business and eventually start using Relay?
My dad was the one that suggested we go into business together by applying for an Amazon Relay account. He loved working in Denver and the surrounding city, but working for someone else, he’d have to haul to Oklahoma, Texas, and as far as California. Sometimes the middle of the night or a snowstorm. So, I bought my own truck, and we opened our own business to keep him closer to home and give me the chance to build something of my own.
I’m so grateful Relay brought us together for a couple years. My dad was already established in the business for decades, so he taught me how to cut costs on maintenance and repairs. Then once I began using Relay, that’s when I really had my big break and turn of fortune. He’s retired now, but it was so rewarding to give back to him.
“If we had our own Relay account, my dad knew we could control our own destiny. We could choose where we want to go and be our own dispatch.”
What inspires your work ethic?
I had to succeed. My parents have seen so much hardship, and are always stressing about the future, so my success couldn’t be another thing they worried about.
I kept reminding myself that starting out as a business owner in any industry, it’s super normal not to see success right away. Persistence and resilience are what all successful people have in common. I knew if I could get through the difficulties and get the ball rolling, then it would roll downhill.
So, hard work partly comes from the fierce competition in Denver. But it’s also understanding that consistent, reliable service can lead to access for more opportunities on Relay. So, my commitment to hard work also comes from knowing it pays to be on time.
What helped develop your business acumen and that ability to strategize?
I’d like to think everything in life helped me – being a casino supervisor taught me to manage people and schedules, including their routes through tables. But it was really Relay’s load board that helped me build trucking routes for myself. It taught me how to run a business from the ground up. Like, how to work between two cities by reducing deadhead miles. Or even run between two states. Because of Relay’s rate transparency and ability to decide my schedule, I could take my own reins.
“Before, I was at the mercy of dispatchers. But with Amazon Relay, all the power of entrepreneurship fell into my lap.”
What type of work do you haul with Relay?
I mostly book spot work. That way I can look at recommended loads on the load board, based on what I’ve hauled before. Or I list my load criteria for instant matches on Post A Truck. Both really help with flexibility. If I can’t cover a load for any reason, I don’t have a contract waiting. I just don’t book anything else and cancel my Post A Truck orders until I’m ready.
In 2023, Amazon rolled out intermodal trucking in Denver, and now that makes up most of the loads I book through Relay. Intermodal is a lot tougher than dry van because it involves more moving parts – like chassis issues, rail delays, UIIA membership, gate passes, etc. With drop-and-hook, you just grab a trailer and go with fewer surprises.
But you like the challenge of more complex loads?
Absolutely. Relay also offers straightforward drop-and-hook, but I enjoy working under pressure. It’s why I prefer hauling loads to third-party sites instead of visiting the same Amazon warehouses. Every third-party load is different. There are little nuances, like uploading proof of delivery and BOLs, or arriving at a very particular time because you can’t show up early or late. It reminds me of my time in the oil field where deliveries were more complex because of remote locations, strict site rules, etc.
What else do you love about Relay?
Relay hosts carrier events. I’ve learned so many valuable insights about trucking by meeting other carriers, whether it’s advice about keeping track of fuel, scheduling, or pay structures.
“Relay helps me streamline operations because I can book loads that match my business needs at any given time.”
What advice do you have for other carriers interested in Relay?
One, keep your performance score above an A. Amazon scores how well you deliver safely and on time, and doing well unlocks the most opportunities. It’s the key to enjoying the freedom of trucking and feeling like your own boss.
More importantly, make sure your CSA score is really high. That comes with being diligent about safety, not cutting corners. I’ve known people across the industry that think trucking is a sprint, so they rush to book loads and expand. They quickly lost their DOT number from too many crashes, tickets, out of service orders, etc. Trucking is a marathon. When you get to your 5-year anniversary, for example, companies will reach out to you with work because of your track record with safety.
What are your goals for your business and how will you know when you get there?
I’m about to hit the 5-year anniversary for my MC number and look forward to continuing to haul Amazon loads. Not only because this industry makes a difference in society, and it’s rewarding work, but also, because there are so many opportunities with Amazon. I’m an open-minded guy. I enjoy exploring other avenues – I know Amazon has reefer lanes in other states, for example.
I also want to get to 5 trucks in the next couple years. My dad was a trucker for 25 years, always as an owner-operator with one truck. Partly because of the language barrier and partly because he didn’t have a minute to breathe with a family to support. I’m hoping that building on what he started would make us both proud.
Want to be your own boss?
Like Komal, many carriers enjoy the flexibility that Amazon Relay provides to choose freight opportunities that fit their business. Start your application on your desktop or in our app on iOS or Android. But first, check out Relay’s carrier requirements to make sure Amazon is the right fit for your business.
Disclaimer: Amazon does not tender loads through any third-party load boards. Any Amazon loads posted on third-party load boards will only be tendered directly to approved and onboarded carriers via the Relay web portal or Relay mobile app. If you are interested in hauling loads for Amazon, sign up and book directly on relay.amazon.com.
