Hey all -

Been lurking a while, and finally figured I'd start posting so I can gleam some knowledge from the old hands/pros.

Basically, I want to start driving as an owner operator as a second job. Scratch that - it will actually be a third job, but I digress...

My primary income is in another branch of the transportation industry, and as I've been doing research on running a rig, a lot of the big picture things (safety, efficiency, duty times, business ethics, customer service, etc.) are surprisingly similar.

However, as in my other job, the more I learn and research, the more I realize how little I actually know and how much there is still to learn. So, as an absolute newbie, please be gentle. For example - all the terms and acronyms regarding trucking I have absolutely NO clue about (steer axles vs. whatever other axles there are, tandems vs. spread, etc.)

One other thing: the title of this thread is EXACTLY what I'm after. Call me a 'romantic', call me naive, call me crazy - you are a bit right on all three - but WHATEVER you do, PLEASE don't SAY/WRITE it in this thread. I don't have time for a lot of naysayers/pessimists/glass half empty type of folks. I know that now is not a good time to get into the industry, with rising costs (especially fuel) and all there is to know and and how much I don't know and being a newbie blah blah blah. In my personal life, I've suffered and been through a lot with the family, likewise in my other professions, etc.; I am an eternal optimist, and I try to see the good in everything. Short of God Almighty Himself, I am going to do this - and hopefully it will work. Regardless of whether it works out or not, it will be another of life's great adventures.

OK - enough of that. Here's my basic situation - I make a pretty decent income with my other two jobs. I will actually be using the income from my 'second' job for the payments on the truck - I should be able to make the monthly payment AND have some beans left over, actually. I plan on buying a used tractor and trailer - if everything pans out right, a 1984 Kenworth K100 Aerodyne in tip-top shape, and trailer yet to be determined. I'm thinking about getting a Great Dane or Utility reefer (open for other suggestions/input), so I can haul van or reefer loads. I plan on only driving during the late spring/summer/early fall months. As far as taking care of my family, my primary profession will cover the health insurance/401k/other benefits. All the truck has to do is make enough money to cover its fuel/insurance/taxes - basically, all the Direct Operating Expenses (of which I'm sure there are a TON and I don't have a clue as to what most of them are). If I can make some money and tuck it away for preventive/unexpected maintenance, etc., all the better. If I can actually put money into the bank after covering everything, then I've surpassed my expectations. Do not take me as someone who will be willing to undercut others jsut to 'play trucker'; this is a business, and as in my other profession, I expect to be paid accordingly. I have no tolerance for those that accept below industry standard pay - it lowers the bar for everyone.

The rig will be based out of the eastern Pennsylvania (Allentown/Lehigh Valley area) or north-central New Jersey area (somewhere near Bridgewater/Somerville/Flemington/Whitehouse Station for those who are familiar). I am interested in hearing from drivers who have based their rigs in either PA or NJ and what the business benefits (taxes, other costs) might be.

So why do this to myself? The way I look at it, trucking is the backbone of this great nation. No matter how screwed up our political system may be, I have devoted 10 years in the service of this great nation, and I love the American people. I have had a love affair with transportation since I was 4 - be it airplanes, trains, big rigs, motorcycles, fast cars, etc., and when my grandfather took me on a trip in a Mack tractor-trailer with steel I beams on the back I knew one day I'd own a rig.

I want to drive and take the family with me in the summer, and make it an adventure. If we can manage to swing by some of the historical places that have made this country what it is today, have some fun, and make trips into mini-vacations, then I have succeeded.

As far as the timeline, I anticipate taking delivery of the tractor later on this year. It will sit until next spring at the earliest, since I do not have a CDL yet and will not start running until I am fairly confident I have all my ducks in a row. I do not know whether to go on my own authority, or lease on with a company - or what other possibilities may exist as far as getting loads and owning my own rig. Whatever route I take, I pretty much have to be able to make my own schedule since this will be a second/third job. I may only be able to run 5 days one month, or 14 the next. I also may not know that I'll be able to pick up a load until the day or two before due to the schedule of my primary job.

So that's about it for now. I really appreciate those who have actually read through this entire novella and take the time out of their busy schedule to help out a guy who is an absolute newbie.

Please, drive safe out there, and remember not all 4-wheelers are out to get you!

W2W

One day, 42 views, and no responses...

I really hope I didn't come across the wrong way - or am I too impatient? I value the experience and opinions of the folks whose posts I've enjoyed reading over the past few months - I was kind of hoping for some input!

I think Broncrider's thread about his experience of being an new O/O is invaluable, I was just kinda hoping to get some input on my particular situation.

Perhaps I should just keep lurking...

Thanks -

W2W

1st....if you are gonna do this like a hobby.....then you will have to get your own authority. You will have a VERY hard time finding a company that will let you lease on without any practical experience....and since you only want to truck when the sun is shining.....you won't get the practical experience without going to work for someone else for a while....(at least a year)

2nd....if you've been lurking....then you know how 95% of us in here are struggling to make OUR dreams happen.....yours won't just be handed to you. You will have to go get your CDL...either from a school...or through a company. But, you will have to put some time in it.

I'm probably one of the biggest dreamers here.....just look at my thread....Time for Prime....and you can see how everybody jumped me when I told of my plans. I've been blessed that my wife is a very patient woman. Because this really isn't a job.....you do have to live it.

But, I think you are asking too much. You can't do this 5 days a month.... unless you have your own freight to pull. And, you sure won't get these guys in here to take you seriously by saying you aren't gonna give it all you have..... Buy the truck.....take the 5th wheel off.....have a custom sleeper/camper box put on it.....get a trailer with the 4-wheelers, canoes, kayaks....whatever...and take the family "on vacation" in a big truck.

Otherwise.....quit all the other jobs....make this your life....then, you'll know what it's like to be a trucker....most of us don't have anything to fall back on....that's why we are so passionate about it. Because we're not part-timers. Sorry if this seems harsh.....but, part-time doesn't cut it.

Alright - a response!!! I do appreciate it very much!

I don't know how to convince you of this, but for the amount of money involved, I would not treat this as a 'hobby'. If I came across that way, I apologize. Honestly, I'm just throwing my ideas out there, and only a fool would ask for advice and not take it after he asks for it!!! I don't know what I don't know (if that makes sense), and even though I've been lurking, only by engaging you good folks and asking the questions (wise old man once told me 'asking is free') will I be able to get a grip on this whole thing. So this is all good stuff...

Ok, if I am interpreting what you're telling me, in order for something along the lines of what I laid out in my original post to work, I would have to run on my own authority initially. Leasing on would require me to have experience, of which I have absolutely zero. Gotcha.

I have been lurking, and yes, I realize that this business is a constant struggle. If you're going to be good at anything, you had better work hard, get smart on what it is you do, work hard some more, and sometimes have a bit of luck too.

I haven't had much handed to me in life, and I don't expect anything to be handed to me. I definately don't have the entitlement mentality that has swept across a lot of our country and brainwashed some people into believe that they deserve this that or the other.

I've had some awesome mentors and lots of HELP along the way, but it's kind of like the golden rule or karma or whatever - once I was in a position to help others in my other professions, I also have. One good turn deserves another.

And THAT is why I am here, and even bothered to post in the first place - the responses I saw in Broncrider's thread were very encouraging, and though he and I are starting at two different places (he had practical experience before setting out as an O/O), I see a passion in him for this business that I have had for a long time but never thought of acting on until now.

Fair enough. My primary profession is a highly regulated industry as well, and again, I am no stranger to hard work and studying. I'm pretty quick when it comes to learning how to operate machinery. That being said, I take nothing for granted, and am very interested in 'being a sponge' and learning as much as possible when I do attend a school.

Where would this country be without a few dreamers now and again? I think being a bit of a dreamer is part of the American spirit. Glad to hear you are blessed to have a very patient woman at your side - it's actually quite a blessing that you realize she IS a blessing!

Honestly, I missed your thread - I will check it out right after I click submit on this message.

I also understand 'living the dream'; I'm doing that with my primary occupation. Perhaps most of the people who read my initial post in this thread think, 'Oh, here we go, another one who thinks this is easy, anyone can do it, etc.' Or, they might say, 'Well, if he's says he's good at whatever else he does, maybe it should stick with that.'

Well, maybe I should.

However, there's this guy I know. And until about 10 years ago, he also had another primary profession. He STILL has that primary profession, but he also runs under his own authority, and is actually up to two rigs now.

If he can do it, I can do it. Heck, I only want to run one rig!

He has been giving me some good advice, but I always like to hear more. So that's another reason I'm here.

Yeah, I was afraid of that. I guess I did mention 'family vacation' in there.

Do any other drivers out there ever take their families out during the summers? Is there anything wrong with that?

I don't know how to convince anyone on here that I'm serious about this other than to be me, be honest, and ask questions. I guess in this case I may not be able to convince anyone. I'll continue lurking, and try to glean as much as I can that way. Maybe in a year or two or three I'll post again to say, 'Hey, Steve & Lo was absolutely right!' I'd much rather be able to post and say, 'Guess what, guys, I did a lot of research, a lot of hard work, bought the truck, etc........and I found a niche and it's working out great!'

Not harsh at all. You sound like a very down-to-earth person, you speak from experience, you sound honest, and I appreciate that more than you can ever know!

I can't quit the other jobs, because they are what would allow me to have the least risk entering into this business in the first place. I may be able to rearrange my schedules at both to better accomodate, as you put it, 'part-time' trucking. My primary profession would allow me to do the books, look for loads, etc., even while I am on the road with it - thereby allowing me to be less of a 'part-time' trucker and more of a full time one, if that makes any sense. The other job isn't a job at all but a duty that is an honor and a privilege; and Uncle Sam owns me for the next four years at a minimum!

Once again, I thank you very much for your response. I guess I'll continue to lurk some more, and see what nuggets of good information I can find on here.

Drive safe!

W2W

the main problems i see you having are gettin insurance, findin frieght and making enuff to keep runnin and keep the lights on at home.....same things we all are dealin with

whoa partner.....put a hobble on that pony

if yer taking things seriously out of my thread, be carefull, im still in the dark about alot of things......o and im 35 living in my parents basement on my new 'puter drinkin mt dew and punching the clown......LOL

if yer serious about it, do it, but beware you will be in for a long hard road

why not just lease on to yer buddy? save yerself that money for now.....

buy a KW and a skateboard.....learn to use it, learn the frieght lanes and run hard but legal, at all times

as a part time gig though.....i dont see it working....lol i only do it part time and im broke!!!!

Thanks for the noggin's up Bronc. I really have enjoyed reading your thread, now I'm looking at Steve & Lo's thread.

Lotsa people here with great experience, I'm getting the feeling that my original plan may not pan out, but who knows. If I wind up with the tractor anyhow, I may see about getting my own authority - I will probably wait and see a little longer than initially expected.

Would love to sign on with my buddy, I'm all for getting real world experience with an old hand first. Only problem is he's about 1,000 miles away as the crow flies.

If this still does happen, I think I'd want to start out with a reefer so I could haul van or refrigerated loads. Work on getting a flatbed after I get some experience - don't want to bite off more than I can chew, and I've got a mouth full now!

Thanks again for the words guys - y'all be safe out there.

But its a lifestyle...... Sunsets, Sunrises, pee jugs, lizards, D.O.T., shippers, receivers etc...............

OK, here goes my 2 cents....
First you will find it next to impossible to get very far out here as far as freight, insurance etc. goes without any experience. I know as I have been trucking on and off for 10 years and have returned to it because I missed it... Even shippers/brokers want to see some experience before they will sign you. Be prepared to dump a butt load of cash out to get a fair start as an O/O with your own authority. I just started out that way and I have 180K out right now (130K is in equipment, repairs etc and the rest is all start up costs, insurances, taxes, tags, permits... cash in the bank so I don't have to factor etc.) and it is tuff. Now my money out is my money, I refuse to factor as 3% to 7% is highway robbery specially if they don't get paid, they take the money they gave you back... it is a win win for factoring companies as they assume 0 risk and get to collect no matter what, so if you don't have the capital to wait out your accounts payable term for at least 60 days, stay away till the freight value comes up. Freight in the NE sucks big time right now.There are loads to run but they barely pay enough to cover the price of fuel. There are tools out there that will run for nothing but this cowboy won't. Also you have to contend with the perpetual a55hole mentality that pretty much effects everyone that lives in the NE. Since you are from there you know what I am talking about if you have ever traveled west and discovered what hospitality means. I have to agree with Steve and Lo (minus the Lo right now) with the respect of getting some experience with a carrier. That should be your number one priority. You will find out first hand if this is for you without expensing your hard earned money to find out later you will loose your investment if you decide to bail. As said before we will only take you serious if you take this serious. This is not a hobby for us as it is our life, all aspects of it. I cannot afford to fail and I certainly do not want to compete against a bunch of fair weather foe's either. (no offense) This is first a business, second a job and third a means to my families well being. There are also a bunch of doom and gloomers out there, go hang out at a truck stop one evening and listen to what is being said. I am an eternal optimist as well asI think you will find most of us out here running our own business will be. When the point comes that you are not then you are soon to be out of business because at that time you quit trying.

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work hard, PLAY HARDER!!!