Taking the leap...

My apologies! Old Man you are correct. I failed to mention that you need to be in consortium for random testing. I contacted a clinic and they set me up as required by the DOT. I was just trying to give Demented some suggestions rather than chasing around like I did.

 

I haven’t posted anything on the board for some time. I’m a relatively new OO about a year and half now. Retired truck mechanic turned OO. It seems like most of the folks I talk to are certainly not happy about the headaches involved in being an OO. Sure the rates such, insurance is too high, shippers and receivers can be a pain and maintenance cost a ton. Well most of us knew that before we jumped into it, and those that didn’t found out real quick.
However this has been the best experience of my life, I just absolutely love it even with the hardships. I’ve been blessed that I have made a couple of dollars but as we all know haven’t got rich. I’m running all 48 and just love it. As one person said to me, this isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle and I couldn’t agree more. Well just parked it for Christmas, and Merry Christmas to all.

 

No matter how bad things get I still don't have anyone looking over my shoulder. I go when and where I want, haul what I want ect. If your pulling a flatbed and it's raining YOU choose if you take the tarped load or the one without. If I need more money I work more, if not I take and easy short load and go home. Not for everyone you have to be self motivated and pretty good with money.

 

You sure hit the nail on the head. I knew O/O's that grossed 100+k a year and couldn't pay for a tire if it blew out. I knew O/O' that grossed 100 or even less and paid cash for everything. It is all about desire, motivation and money management. If you're gonna be successful you better be above average at all three. JMO

 

thats about as true of a statement as i've heard in a while,stepnfetchit. DESIRE !!!! WELL SAID!!!

 

That's it, stepnfetchit! It's all about being business minded. I like being able to make decisions on how things affect my operation. I can make changes to, say, fuel mileage and get increased net. I can do that by choices in tire selection, driving style, routes, etc. I can even make changes to my operation that most fleets would not consider. A company driver just gets what the same pay regardless of how he does it. I, at least, can make choices that increase my net. Sure, I take the risks, but if there is no risk, there is no reward. How many company drivers can say they can increase their annual pay by $5000 by getting 1 mpg better? I can. Heck, I got a Blue Cross / Blue shield family health plan at not much more than I was paying as a company driver. And I don't have to worry about losing it if I move on to other opportunities. Only Obama can screw that up, but then the company drivers will get screwed just like me.

Happy being an O/O was the original question. Compared to being a company driver.... yep. I get to choose where and when I work and when I choose to be home (every weekend and holidays). More work involved, but also more satisfaction. The only thing that puts me in the unhappy camp is the uncertainty of the industry. But even company drivers can't avoid those issues.

Merry Christmas to you as well, OldWrench. Also Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

 

let them go back to being a company driver if they don't like it. Personally in my whole life there is only one job I stayed at longer then 6mo working for someone else. it's not even a consideration for me

 

Perfect example. We have some trucks leased on with a lumber wholesaler along with another O/O with one truck. He probably grossed $5k a week and home every night but always broke. He was always paranoid when winter came and things slowed down that he wasn't going to make it. But he was always leasing new cars, had 2 campers, a boat, bought a jetski, vacations with 2 kids EVERY year right in the middle of summer when things were the busiest. Let simple maintaince things go until they caused other problems. Paid his taxes with his credit card and completely remodeled his house on his Lowes card. He finally figured it out after probably 8 years and cut back. For years he was one breakdown away from bankruptcy. Last week he had a gear break in the front of his engine, $4k and he actually had the cash, even had some other things fixed while it was down. Total transformation.

 

I hear a lot of wisdom in this thread. As you know I'm a new comer but an old fart. Money management has always been a big deal with me, and you guys are so right, I can control my bottom line by the decisions I make and how I operate my truck. I do all my own maintenance including PM services and that saves a bunch and I know it is done correctly.
I suppose I just assumed most guys that wanted to be O/O would also be somewhat business minded but as I have learned way too many aren't and it will bite them in the long run.

Thanks for all the insights.