Is there REALLY any advantage to being an O/O with Swift?

Discussion in 'Swift' started by Alwayswillingtolearn, Jan 23, 2015.

  1. Alwayswillingtolearn

    Alwayswillingtolearn Bobtail Member

    15
    7
    May 23, 2012
    Westerville, Ohio
    0
    Okay, thanks for the input, but you are also being a bit insulting.
    I KNOW there is more to it than buying "crap" that's why I am asking any and all for their thoughts on this question of mine. As for being a steering wheel holder, I guess so. Not much is in my control as to trips I make, or my pay. And that is true for many of us out here. If there was so much money to be made and EVERY driver was making it, then there wouldn't be a shortage of drivers and carriers would be turning people away. A CDL would be almost worthless. I don't think that's going to happen. Truth is, drivers are under-paid and most can't afford the risk of owning a truck or have the credit to buy one. Saving up cash for one would be fine if you are single and have no bills; but I would advise anyone who was in that position to save for an education and get a better job. That being said, leasing is one option available to would-be O/O's to at least get started. Once the first truck is paid off and experience gained, maybe some serious savings having been made - I suppose you could make money and be more than a "steering wheel holder."
    One O/O I spoke with had a very nice truck and made great money. He did admit however, that when he first started, he had an old beat up truck he bought for a few grand, put just enough into it to run and lived poorly but saved almost all he made. The truck he had at the present was his seventh. He was one of those that said that back in "the day" you could do that and make a living, but now it's much more dicey and the regulations, insurance and general cost of doing business and upkeep prevents many from succeeding. He explained some details, but being basically still a novice driver, it all sounded "Greek" to me.
    What is the percentage of O/O's to L/O's and company drivers? Anyone know?

    Thank you for your post Dinomite.

    And why is it that a lot of drivers with heaps of experience seem to be hostile to we drivers who ask questions?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Alwayswillingtolearn

    Alwayswillingtolearn Bobtail Member

    15
    7
    May 23, 2012
    Westerville, Ohio
    0
    How can I learn about all that you mentioned? Is there a book on it or special class you can take these days?
     
  4. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,353
    11,159
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Can you clarify ? Are you a L/O currently ? And when you say "O/O" do you really mean L/O ? A lot of drivers think that becoming a L/O means they're an O/O, which isn't true. Yes, you can take your owned truck to Swift and lease on there. When I say owned truck, it means you own it either outright or are making payments to the lender, however it is in your name only and you have 100% control. But you have to remember, even O/O's need to "play ball" with dispatch. If you do too much cherry picking on your loads, they will put you at the bottom of the list.
     
    Alwayswillingtolearn Thanks this.
  5. Dinomite

    Dinomite Road Train Member

    4,092
    4,307
    Sep 6, 2012
    Looking 4 Rocks
    0
    First off please don't take everything personal. I say steering wheel holder in reference to people who don't think. Your name is willing to learn. That's a beautiful thing. But now you need to be willing to think. So now sir flow with me. Get that brain turning choo choo choo choo. I think I can I think I can.

    1. Do some research read some threads run some numbers.

    2. Ask self what is in it for the company?? Like a company wAnts to give me overpriced truck. I get to pay for my fuel and maintenance and that comes out first and I get what is leftover and I still got to put some of that away for taxes. Oh well I can't take time off because this truck payment is still coming out each week. Sorry Hun 3 days in the shop and I'm still behind from last week. So we have to go to the food bank again. Maybe Hun I shouldn't have gambled with our income on this crappy truck that stays in the shop all because I wanted some chrome and lights and a new radio. The picture of my pretty truck just doesn't pay the bills. Maybe I just should of went to a company who pays more per mile.

    3. All those people on the forum sure did cheerlead me and even told me to make a thread on my experience. But that was only to entertain them so they could make bets on how fast I would go broke. Maybe I should of listened to the meanie who told me to have patience. To use my head and I wouldn't be in such a ditch.

    4. Don't throw all your eggs in one basket. That truck don't run. You don't eat. Just use your head. Cover your tail. Don't believe everything you hear. If you can't make money As a company driver. I doubt you will be able to make it as an owner operator. Don't rush slow down. These companies are not in it for your benefit. Good day sir. Choo chooo keep thinking it's the only way out of being a steering wheel holder.
     
    Alwayswillingtolearn Thanks this.
  6. blsqueak

    blsqueak Road Train Member

    3,988
    3,284
    Dec 27, 2009
    buckeye lake, oh
    0
    There are plenty of threads here on this Forum regarding L/O with Swift. Many of us have answered the questions so many times. Just watch out for the Trolls. Once you mention becoming a L/O here they come out of the woodwork and nothing but negative. Can you make money, yes. My lease is up this April and will be signing for another truck, but only a short term lease since retiring in 2 years. You will find that many of the naysayers, they themselves have very little experience but they seem to know it all. Just go through some of the threads here that address L/O and you will find a bunch of Information
     
  7. Alwayswillingtolearn

    Alwayswillingtolearn Bobtail Member

    15
    7
    May 23, 2012
    Westerville, Ohio
    0
    In answer to several of the questions posed to me:
    No, I'm not an L/O at present, just a company driver.
    No, I don't mean to "cherry pick" loads, but one has to admit there are some places and some loads people just don't want to hassle with, no matter the pay. Unless you are desperate.
    I do realize there are expenses and perhaps ( considering my limited experience and knowledge ) I should forget the whole thing. I had thought that perhaps it might be better to be leasing or one day owning my own truck, but so far the negatives coming back to me seem to out-weigh any good that might be.
    True, I shall research more and read as much as I can in these forums about it, but my life experiences in the past have usually been good when encouragement was predominant. So far in this case, what I hear more are negatives. I suppose that makes sense since another L/O or O/O is just more competition for loads and money, so why would someone want to encourage a person to enter the competition?
    And Dinomite touches on one point - that I may be only encouraged by Swift to become a L/O so as to pay for their truck, which they could take away from me. I know I could make more money hauling livestock, hazmat or steel, cars or tankers, etc., rather than dry-van goods.
    Another thing is that I may retire in a couple years so going through all the expense and trouble (if that is truly the case ) may not be worth it at all.

    Thanks for the advice, all of you. I shall research further and see what sort of things happen this year.
     
    Dinomite and fr8monkey Thank this.
  8. Dinomite

    Dinomite Road Train Member

    4,092
    4,307
    Sep 6, 2012
    Looking 4 Rocks
    0
    Now that brain is working my friend. Had me nervous at first. God bless in whatever you decide to do. Have a good weekend.
     
  9. Benfica1982

    Benfica1982 Bobtail Member

    32
    23
    Oct 12, 2016
    0
    Here here !!
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.