You have VERY ROUGH IDEA of the freight industry, AT BEST. If you believe that shippers and brokers go SOULEY on the best rate, well then my friend then you or someone you know=w are cutting your own throats!!!
I can direct to at least 3 local companies consisting of no more than 3 trucks who garner a rate that would make a large trucking outfit turn green with envy!! Bigger is NOT better! This is where as an O/O you should KNOW your freight lanes!!! And, please drop the "conditioned" attitude at he drivers door!
Just to prove a point, I just recently booked 3 loads for one truck at a rate of $2850 per thousand miles ( reefer for 1 and dry for 2 based on 525mile one way) received contract. These same loads where then offered to an O/O running under my authority for $1200 per load.(by the way this was with him calling on his own to find a load, with a "need something to run" mentality & attitude) Basically what I am getting at is... Go about this in a certain manner and you can/ will get a damned good rate., Know your lanes. Know the freight volume in your lanes. Know the truck volume in your lanes. and React!!! Accordingly!! Leave the .88cpm to 1.15pm for the wannabes and large companies. (I can assure you the big companies are not going to touch the 1.15 pm rate or less!!! just look at the dots avg operating cost based on the big companies. Their avg op costs are hovering around $1.45pm, so where in the world do you think that less than a dollar #### fits in????????
Be smart!!! Knowledge is power!!!!!! Dint believe me? Check my friend out.

My reply if you had taken the time to read it, was in response to this post by Sunnyside which I have inserted here.

Frankly Carolina_Beaver_Teaser, I'm not impressed by your knowledge or manners and I don't think anyone else here is either. We try to help each other not criticize or be rude to each other. This site is all about helping people not making points.
Please if you will, tell us how long YOU'VE been in the trucking industry and what your experience is. According to your profile you say you are an O/O and a broker. The BROKER part explains your attitude. If at any time, you have a problem with any of my posts by all means contact the staff. BTW that was a cheap shot at posting a link to some brokers site. Thanks go to the staff for removing it.

ok everyone, I'll try to make this short as possible. Started driving in 1982,by 1987 was an o/o. Then in 1995 to 1999 drove entertainment bus (stagecoach) In the winter of 1999 I was fortunate to land a job with Chrysler corp. working as a fork lift driver. But I think this job is gonna be gone for me with a possible buyout, (I know it's a joke, buyouts, good pay, but we won't go there now) So anyway I'm thinking about getting back into trucking as an o/o. but I've been out for a while and not many companies will hire me. I can go work at a friends company but not sure I want to do that, I like ranger landstar drove for them with my first truck but don't think they will take me.
Anyone have any recommendations or should I stay away from owner op period,

You'll have to do what ever it takes to get your experience back and then you'll be able to go back to Landstar.

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My rule is: Never work for friends or have them work for you or with you, it's a fast way to end the relationship.
Same applies to family.
You'll have to get some experience and how you do that its your business. I'd try the state, county or a company that has their own private fleet. You could go through driving school, some offer a refresher course for a nominal fee.
I won't say that it's a bad idea to work for an owner operator. Just remember that some don't have benefits, workers comp, they won't take taxes out and if they have a major expense you'll be the last one paid. You'll have to decide if they have a break down if you'll get paid.
Use the FMCSA to look them up and get as much info as you can. It won't be much but it will tell you their safety record, insurance types and coverages, how long they've been in business and if their authority has ever been suspended. If it has that's a red flag to me and I'd be asking why.
Good Luck

The information you provided is extremely helpful, but what do you think about a first time O/O signing up with one of the major trucking companies as a lease/purchase; will the whole process be just as involved or do these companies offer as much help as they advertise.

Nightwind; Thanks for the info,but since our last post, I found a small company in ohio that runs where I like to run The pay isn't the best but their o/ops I talked to seemed happy there and they stay loaded. Went to talk to recruitment and I was upfront with them (always the best thing to do by the way) and I told them my situation and they want to hire me when I get a buyout with Chrysler and get a truck ! Happy Trails! Showoff

[quote=NightWind;278363]
I'll put up an Excel spread sheet that you can see the numbers on later this week when I edit it to reflect the current fuel cost.

Nightwind, did you ever post that spread sheet? If so, where could I find it?

Thanks.

t.

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COE's live on, if only in our dreams.

I have been a O/O for a year and a half and it has been a long ruff road.
My 1st truck was a 84 Freightliner, pd 6k put anther 4k in it, 3 mo later motor blow up, parked it. 2nd truck, 91 KW pd 13k. had 2 mo truck caught fire, comept loss. 3rd truck, 98 pete pd 20k. it has been good to me for the last 9 mo. but fuel has went up $1.30 a gal, ins 4k more a yr, part,tires,labor on truck. but freight pay still the same. so if your thinkin of being a O/O you better think hard and long on it and have some money put back for down time. BUT if u do get in on it, don't give up, it will get better.

Well in a year and a half you went from a $6k truck to a fairly new(relativly) $20k pete even with some major setbacks. I'd say you've done pretty well but I know it hasn't been easy. I'm doing it now with a $5k truck which is an electrical nightmare and I seriously fear a fire. Which reminds me, I need to go get back to rewiring that thing. Take it easy.

Oh, and it's not a great time to be owning a pete with fuel like it is