Worth it to get own authority for local route?

Best thing to do. Is get a Quote for Insurance.

 

Based on how I interpret your post, am I wrong in thinking that you wouldn’t be getting your own authority but would be leasing your truck onto those companies and running under their numbers?

My company has 66 O/Os and we only do local work. A huge majority of them have been at this company for over 15 years. I briefly entertained the idea of buying a truck based off numbers they showed me etc but passed once I figured that of the total nut I would crack, over 25k of that would be for health insurance to my family. Oof.

 

The post I read asked about getting geting his own # and truck.

 

It would depend on the lease agreement.

 

I would strongly advise against you getting your own authority because there's one company that will put you to work and you can work locally or that one run is what you want to do for the rest of your life.

You might pull one or two loads for them and they might be terrible. Or it might not be what you think it is or you may not make what you think or they may lose that account or... or...

If you're going to go through all of the hoops to get your own authority and insurance and truck and money, you need to have a plan that's beyond them. If they work out that's great but if they don't then you have another plan that you can have a lot of dexterity and move right into.

Power only generally pays much less and as far as dexterity nothing gives you more dexterity than your own authority and your own trailer.

They will give you loads and dispatch but you're going to be responsible for your own maintenance and fuel. And tags and 2290 and ifta.

Remember the objective of getting your own authority is to be independent, meaning that you can go anywhere and work for any broker that you choose.

And also remember that the more that a company does for you, meaning they plan your loads, they give you fuel advance, you pull their trailer, all of that adds up to being paid less.

And instead of being independent, you are dependent on them more like an employee or lease operator.

I'm not saying it can't work out for you but you have to have a plan beyond them.

If you have not done it yet, one call to the insurance agent may stop you dead in your tracks.

 

man we got two OO at my company and they get the worse route all residential and lift gate