Questions from someone starting out.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by futuretrucker1980, Jan 27, 2015.

  1. futuretrucker1980

    futuretrucker1980 Bobtail Member

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    Is it better to own my own truck or to work for a company that owns trucks?
    As a truck owner is it easy to find steady work?
    Is it possible for a Canadian to work routes south of the snow line during the winter or am I dreaming?
     
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  3. slim shady

    slim shady Road Train Member

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    There is a snow line in Canada?
     
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  4. skyviper73

    skyviper73 Heavy Load Member

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    That snow line runs down through the northern part of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, ect. So, no there isn't a snow line in Canada. :biggrin_2559:
     
  5. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    You need to work for a company and learn the business before you can just become an owner operator. You need to learn how to handle loading docks and distribution centers and everything else. Learn on someone else s dime not you're own.
     
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  6. White Dog

    White Dog Road Train Member

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    And if you mean can a Canadian citizen driving for a Canadian company run freight in the southern states of the US during winter...the answer is "No". You can bring a load to the US, and work your way back to Canada...just as we have to do when we enter a foreign country; like Canada for instance.

    OR, you can apply for citizenship in the US, and THEN drive for a US based company, and run where you want, when you want in the US. Just as us US citizens would be required to do in a foreign country; like Canada for instance.

    OR, you can get your first load out of Canada to southern Texas...abandon the truck...cross the border into Mexico...spend a day in Boys Town...then just walk across the border like they do down there....and the US will welcome you with open arms and open checkbooks. Seems to work for the Mexicans.
     
  7. futuretrucker1980

    futuretrucker1980 Bobtail Member

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    I dont see why i dont start out OO. Im going to need to learn either way. And working for a company isnt going to give me experiance on the buisness end anyway. Plus i heard the only way to make decent coin trucking is to own your own truck.
     
  8. streetglider

    streetglider Medium Load Member

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    I see you are not willing to listen, you can start out on your own but after about a month of getting your a$& handed to you by brokers that smell a newbie you will wish you were in a company truck. It will be too expensive to operate especially from a insurance prospective if you can even get insurance. And that is just the start. You will need to learn the best lanes, where is the cheapest fuel etc.. Not saying you won't make it because if you have a big bank roll behind you you make luck up. But that bank roll will disappear before you start to add to it.
     
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  9. futuretrucker1980

    futuretrucker1980 Bobtail Member

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    i am listening. But you are the first person to give me a good reason not to own. i hadn't considered that i might not get insured. Im not asking if its likely that i succeed im asking if its possible.
     
  10. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    possible,but not recommended.

    go company to see if you'll even like driving for a living.

    truck repairs,sitting trying to find freight can kill you as an O/O.

    and don't try the lease/purchase plans.

    research it on here. major horror stories.

    with some idea of the industry,it could be a VERY expensive experiment.
     
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  11. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Go to work for a company, loads you like make friends with the people there, ask how they arrange shipping or get put on there bid list, once you secure your customer base that is willing to use you then buy at truck, get your authority and insurance and always look for new customers at every delivery. A broker load does not need to remain a broker load, you could cut out half of there commission and save your customer money, while increasing your profit.
     
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