Honest opinions on whether to company drive, lease or purchase

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by BigJZ73, Apr 25, 2015.

  1. BigJZ73

    BigJZ73 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 25, 2015
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    I have been in the moving industry for approximately 15 years. I have recently had the itching to drive long haul. I'm barely clearing $600 a week and am tired of making pennies. The agent that I work for is an excellent agent to work for but I feel that I'm not getting what I was told I would. I was told that if I got my class A license I would be able to go on the road and make more money. Its been 3 years now and I have managed to only take one shipment out of the state, everything else has been Intra work. They have given me a truck to drive but I'm not too thrilled with it, it is very closed in and smells of cigarette smoke and I don't smoke. I would like to start driving for this agent but I am not sure whether I should go and buy my own tractor and pay all the insurance and licensing as well as all of the other things that go along with being an owner operator. On the other hand I may want to lease a truck, but I'm not too sure what I would be responsible for nor how much a month it would be. I have heard almost nothing good about leasing. Should I stay away from it? Or should I just run the company tractor and make the cpm they are offering me and not have to worry about the headaches. My other concern is that I have 3 children and a wife and I've heard nothing good comes out of a father gone for months at a time. Please only helpful opinions, I maybe in over my head but it doesn't hurt to get honest opinions from hard working driver who know better than I.
     
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  3. 77smartin

    77smartin Road Train Member

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    I dunno.
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    Put where you live in your profile....general area. Might wanna ask this question in the Experienced or New Drivers section. Best of luck and welcome aboard.
     
  4. Mr.X

    Mr.X Heavy Load Member

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    Welcome BigJZ73 !
    I think its the Daughters that suffer the most. I hope you do start a thread, I think this could be an interesting discusion!
     
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    You're working for the wrong company. Don't buy or lease a truck. Become a company driver hauling flatbed or tanker freight. Some dry van or reefer companies are pretty good also. There's some good companies out there with good family benefits and retirement plans. You should be taking home a thousand a week. You're not getting any younger so time to move on and give that wife and children a high standard of living.
     
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  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Yes, put your location on your profile; state & city or nearest city.
     
  7. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You should get away from the moving industry. But, first you need to consider your family and being away weeks at a time. Tough call…good luck.
     
  8. BigJZ73

    BigJZ73 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 25, 2015
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    I can't say that I will get out of the moving industry, that's what I know. At age 41 I don't feel like changing my profession. My wife is a nurse and makes good money and it kinda makes it awkward that my wife makes more money than I do. I'm a recovering alcoholic, been sober for 10 years now and don't have very much ambitious to do anything besides work. My wife told me that she wants me to go on the road so that when I come home the time I spend with her and the kids is quality time. My main goal is to make the most money I can in the next 6 years so I can build my own self storage facility.
     
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  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    BigJZ73:

    You should listen to your wife; she's trying to tell you something and you're not listening.
    She made it through nursing school, so she's smart.
    Take her "subtle suggestion" and hit the road OTR for a few months.

    Contact Freymiller and go make a decent paycheck.
     
  10. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    A little advice……when home, after being out for a few weeks, isn't "quality time". That's because YOU want to rest/relax, and Wifey/kids want to do things. Plus, it seems Wifey will have a "honey-do" list. :salute::smt038
     
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