Why Become an Owner Operator?

We danced away along the negative-Nelly line of reasoning that everything is a bad deal, so we should all just quit and shut down. Maybe everything *is* a bad deal - maybe not - but I'm pretty sick of the argument that we should all shut down. That isn't remotely practical. MikeinReno tried to lay claim to some special credibility for being a war vet, that he was unable to acquire through reasoning, so I shot that down, as well. It's a stupid idea that has potential only to hurt the drivers, and it is essentially impossible to implement, anyway. I really wish people would stop suggesting it as the answer to all trucking-related problems.

Both employee driving and being an owner-operator have some potential, and lots of problems. I'm pretty sure that a lot more people go broke as owner-ops, but those that succeed, often do so spectacularly, compared to employee drivers. Either way, it's a tough gig - but few of us have better alternatives, or we'd be doing that, instead.

 

I would not go so far as to take on Hoffa and the Union here.

However.

When I purchased my midroof back in the 90's I was going to have to make my first payment in three weeks on that note, my first tank of fuel is needed that week. And my first load where pray do I find it? Whoo.. big time problems.

I was thankful that time in my life to do something like that much greater opperutinty to build a company of say 1000 trucks in 10 years rather than be constantly abused and mistreated as some other Company driver.

I hate to think that future 1000 truck company would have rotted from inside out with bad dispatchers, snobbish officers and incredibly unskilled company drivers breaking everything while the muntinous shop refuses to fix anything promptly during working hours. And all demanding money that will not come in yet for several months from loads delivered in the last quarter.

HA. Don't you love America, Land of Oppertunity.

 

This is why

 

..............I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels......................................

 

When your figure it out there is no limit to the amount of money you can earn

 

I became an O/O because I got sick and tired of the corporate ########... people that could never do my job telling me how to do my job
Now that I’m into it I wished I’d of bought a truck a long time ago and if everything goes down the drain I had the time of my life learning everything
I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished and I’m doing what I’ve wanted to do ever since I can remember not many people can say that
There’s a lot of people out there going to work everyday to jobs that are just jobs

 

I'll never go back to earning someone else all the money while they lie to me about my % of it. I get my truck fixed when I want, promptly, Do things that I want to the truck and run how I want. I might not make more than a co. driver, not have benefit (although I do have the VA), but not talking to the man, with hat in hand, just to get things fixed on HIS truck so YOU don't end up on the side of the road for hours, waiting for a tow. It's not his wasted time, it's yours. I had a friend who had to wait for over 2 years just to get new shocks put on a company truck, INSANE.
If a person is ok driving for someone else, so be it. If they like it who am I to say anything?
To each their own. I love the ability to get things done, not have to just do as the man says. I have some control of my life. People say I'm lucky because I am my own boss. I don't try and explain the particulars, but it is great to have some direct control of my life.

 

Why? Simple, it is about freedom and flexibility. Many people cannot handle the responsibility that comes with being an owner, that's ok. For those of us who can and understand the requirements to be successful, the rewards are great. I will be expanding in the spring and creating a full time job for someone else. Giving another the ability to support their family is huge!
I don't fear failure, it's just another tool to learn from. As long as I don't make the same errors I did previously, I will continue to be successful.

 

LMAO...This is really shallow. I'm blown away.