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Considering pulling the trigger on new profession.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by FAKATA, Dec 13, 2021.

Should I quit job to start business ?

  1. Yes

    10 vote(s)
    45.5%

  2. No

    8 vote(s)
    36.4%

  3. Maybe

    4 vote(s)
    18.2%
Page 1 of 3
  1. Dec 13, 2021 #1
    FAKATA

    FAKATA Bobtail Member

    5
    6
    Dec 13, 2021
    0
    Hey everyone,
    Need an advice …
    My first post here , so be gentle with me:)

    I’m currently employed by Comcast as department manager, 20 direct reports, making 80,000$ a year (2000$ every 2 weeks after all deductions). I’m 38 years old.

    Amount of BS I have to deal with for salary working 50-70 hours a week is insane, haven’t been happy in last 2 years or so, therefore started looking in possibilities of making my own business. After extensive research freight really stood out with highest potential.

    I already got class A CDL, created my LLC, and considering my options at this point. I don’t want to quit and be company driver, have enough money to buy a truck, but unfortunately there is semi and trailer shortages. I can go used route, but that wouldn’t be smart business inheriting used vehicle issues.

    I can get new 26ft box trucks though and it looks like it can be pretty profitable for local or OTR. Or perhaps fedex CC.

    I just want opinion from people already I’m business, is it right direction to go ?

    I love driving, have no issues with dimensions of truck and trying to build my business , have about 100k to start with.
     
    FAKATA, Dec 13, 2021
    FAKATA, Dec 13, 2021
    #1
    K.C., pumpkinishere, Pamela1990 and 2 others Thank this.
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  3. Dec 13, 2021 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,444
    143,507
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Chinatown, Dec 13, 2021
    Chinatown, Dec 13, 2021
    #2
    K.C., pumpkinishere and Pamela1990 Thank this.
  4. Dec 13, 2021 #3
    LoneRanger

    LoneRanger Road Train Member

    3,550
    9,024
    Jun 3, 2018
    0
    Wrong time to get in. Wait for the crash and then see if you can still make profit.

    trucking as an owner op isn’t all what’s cracked up to be. You’ll get the same treatment from brokers, shippers, receivers and just about anyone having anything to do with the trucking industry.

    Use to be different. Now not so much now.

    also having enough cash to buy a truck doesn’t mean your gonna make it. You also need to have enough cash to weather the storm when crap hits the fan. Repairing these things isn’t cheap.

    overhaul - 35k
    Transmission - 12-15k
    Clutch - 4-5k
    Emissions 2-20k
    Set of drive tires - 3-5k

    hourly rate $110-$185 and no guarantee of it getting fixed.


    And almost everyone’s out to shaft you. So be prepared as an owner op to pay your dues on your first year.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2021
    LoneRanger, Dec 13, 2021
    LoneRanger, Dec 13, 2021
    #3
    JonJon78, Dino soar, VinceBlack and 4 others Thank this.
  5. Dec 13, 2021 #4
    Eddiec

    Eddiec Road Train Member

    1,931
    2,802
    Feb 2, 2015
    0

    Go for it. Better than working at a job that you hate. The worse that can happen is that you may fail. Thomas Edison didn't get the light bulb right on the first try either.
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2021
    Eddiec, Dec 13, 2021
    Eddiec, Dec 13, 2021
    #4
    pumpkinishere, Badmon and ibcalm19 Thank this.
  7. Dec 13, 2021 #5
    abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

    3,087
    6,910
    May 2, 2010
    ludlow MA
    0
    Drive someone else’s truck for a little bit to see if you like it, this industry probably isn’t much better this day and age, that way after 3
    Months when you hate it you still have that money to do something else with
     
    abyliks, Dec 13, 2021
    abyliks, Dec 13, 2021
    #5
    Dino soar, VinceBlack, ProfessionalNoticer and 2 others Thank this.
  8. Dec 13, 2021 #6
    TallJoe

    TallJoe Road Train Member

    7,490
    16,266
    Apr 12, 2016
    Chicagoland
    0
    Normal job. Home everyday. Benefits and nice salary at 38. Something to put on a resume too, if you further better yourself.
    You think BS does not exist here?!
    Honestly, I think you'd be downgrading, falling into a trap.
    No. Don't.
     
    TallJoe, Dec 13, 2021
    TallJoe, Dec 13, 2021
    #6
    Dino soar, ProfessionalNoticer, Dave1837 and 1 other person Thank this.
  9. Dec 13, 2021 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,444
    143,507
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    I know a man that retired from the USMC as a Colonel, then was the CFO of a coast to coast retail chain.
    He hated office politics, so he became a long haul trucker. Said it's the best job he's ever had for personal satisfaction.
     
    Chinatown, Dec 13, 2021
    Chinatown, Dec 13, 2021
    #7
    pumpkinishere and austinmike Thank this.
  10. Dec 13, 2021 #8
    Siinman

    Siinman Road Train Member

    4,689
    11,779
    Mar 5, 2017
    Kansas City, MO.
    0
    Go for it but think wisely on the timing. Can you get a truck? What about a trailer? If so do it.
     
    Siinman, Dec 13, 2021
    Siinman, Dec 13, 2021
    #8
    pumpkinishere Thanks this.
  11. Dec 13, 2021 #9
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    20,737
    101,051
    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
    0
    Box truck competition is unreal. That is at the bottom of the rate ladder.
     
    Ridgeline, Dec 13, 2021
    Ridgeline, Dec 13, 2021
    #9
    LoneRanger and Chinatown Thank this.
  12. Dec 13, 2021 #10
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,444
    143,507
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Yeah, forget the box truck. Panther Premium is a box truck outfit.
    Be a company driver for 12 months, then consider buying a truck.
    USA Truck has a program; after driving for the company 6 months, can choose your loads and run where you want to.
    Give this a try, then you'll have some experience and insurance will be cheaper.
    upload_2021-12-13_15-36-32.jpeg
     
    Chinatown, Dec 13, 2021
    Chinatown, Dec 13, 2021
    #10
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